Replacing an Old Bathtub with a Clawfoot Tub

Thanks to television On Demand, I was recently introduced to short home renovation video clips from the DIY network. I checked out the DIY network website and found several other informative videos and step by step instructions on how to complete various household projects.

I came across instructions on how to replace an old bathtub and install a new clawfoot tub. The site discusses the difficulty level (a 3 on a scale of 1-5), the necessary materials, and exactly what to do. The site also displays a photo for each step of the way.

Before the new clawfoot tub was installed. (Above)

The finished product and new focal point of the bathroom.

To complete the installation of a new clawfoot bathtub from beginning to end you will need to:

• Complete demolition of old tub and surroundings
• Remove pipes and set tiles
• Grout tile for walls and floor
• Install new plumbling and fixtures
  

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day to everyone! If you don't have time to plant a tree or to donate money to a worthy cause, there are still ways you can help the earth. Here are several things you can do around the house today that take little effort but help in a big way.

1. Switch from regular lightbulbs to energy saving, compact flourescent lamps (CFLs). If you don't have time to make the switch today, you can still take action by pledging to make the switch at the Earth Day Network.
2. Take part in the Environmental Protection Agency's Pick Five for the Environment pledge.
   
3. Utilize a reusable water bottle more often. Another alternative is to attach a water filter to your kitchen faucet.
4. Clean your toilet with a natural cleaner as opposed to harmful chemicals. Sprinkle baking soda inside the toilet bowl, let it sit, then pour vinegar inside. It may sound like a science project, but the interaction will actually clean your toilet. Find more natural cleaning ideas.

If you are looking to make an even bigger change, check out some faucets and toilets with a WaterSense label. These products adhere to the Environmental Protection Agency's standards as well as cut back on water and energy bills. Check back for more information on the WaterSense program and our WaterSense certified products.

The Proper Way to Hang Toilet Paper

Toilet paper may not be a popular topic of conversation but I know that I have had multiple conversations about the correct way it should be hung on a toilet paper holder. There are those who like the sheet to hang from the bottom, and those who like to easily access it from the top of the roll. It is especially frustrating when you visit someone's home or use a public restroom and you have to take time to figure out where the toilet paper begins. Thankfully, someone created a series of photos with discussions on what they believe is the correct way to hang toilet paper and the problems that may arise from not hanging it properly.



View all five photos and the full lesson in hanging toilet paper.

Source and Photos: Toilet Paper Article from Current Configuration

Customized Showering

If you've never seen it before, this is the Kohler WaterHaven custom shower. Equipped with seven different sprayers, you can customize your showering experience by adjusting the various knobs and ports. This shower is not only a great way to get clean, but you can adjust the direction and intensity of the sprayers for a massaging effect, or keep your hair dry while cleaning only the rest of your body. Additionally, the WaterHaven includes a handshower.


Another great thing about this deluxe shower is that it only requires one single connection. The WaterHaven can be hooked up through the wall or floor. For this reason, the shower can be flexibly located to your location of choice.Everything about this shower is customizable. You can even manipulate the water flow, using as much or as little water as you choose.Learn more about the WaterHaven custom shower or view more photos and and instructional video by Kohler.

Elton John's Oven Song

In celebration of Elton John and Billy Joel's upcoming concert tour, I wanted to share a video. In the video, Elton John is challenged to improvise a song using only an oven manual given to him by audience member and British actor, Richard E. Grant. Elton John quickly dishes out a catchy tune, recommending you "get to know all there is to know about your new oven, before preparing your mouth watering meals". Check it out below.

Historic White House Bathroom Renovation

Remodeling a bathroom can be a daunting task. However, it is a lot more difficult when you live in the White House and have to remodel 35 of them!

I came across several photographs from the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. The photos were taken between 1950 and 1952, while the bathrooms in the White House were being reconstructed. Take a look at the before and after shots of various White Housae bathrooms below.

Before Shots:
After Shots:
For more information and other photographs of the White House renovations visit the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum.

Source: Harry S. Truman Library and Museum website

Travel and Bathe in Luxury

I recently came across the ultimate coffee table book for railroad enthusiasts. Each page of Luxury Trains by John Smith is filled with lavish photographs of the most luxurious trains in the world.
One particular steam train caught my eye; not because of the extravagant, Victorian style dining rooms or the spacious rooms with lounge areas. I found Rovos Rail of South Africa the most intriguing because it offers a full sized bathroom in its 172 square foot Royal Suite.

As far as Vintage Tub and Bath is concerned, this train has set a new standard in luxury travel by furnishing their Royal Suite bathroom with a clawfoot tub.


As you can see from the photo above, in case bathing on a train isn't your thing, there is also a full sized shower available. These Royal Suites must be roomy if they are able to accommodate a 60 inch clawfoot bathtub. For more photos and information about Rovos Rail of South Africa, visit their website here.

Bertazzoni and Lamborghini

Bertazzoni is a family company based in Emilia- Tomagna Italy. This part of Italy is known for its expertise in fine Italian cooking and is home to many of the best chefs in the world. Not only can you get a world-class meal, but it is here that you will find the some of the best farming machinery, motorcycles, and cars. The Bertazzoni company shares more than manufacturing methods and procedures with the automotive industry. Ranges from the Bertazzoni Heritage Series and the Professional Series are painted in the same factory as Lamborghini automobiles! According to Bertazzoni Company literature, the ranges are "realised in a fully durable, double layer coating on stainless steel using the latest processes developed by the automobile industry". It only makes sense that these heavy-duty appliances would have such superior paint jobs; since it is clear that they focus strictly on high quality for the modern cook.

Bronx Zoo Eco Bathroom

Everyday, Americans flush away around 100 million pounds of waste, using about 32 billion gallons of water. An eco-friendly bathroom at the Bronx Zoo has created a way to preserve some of that wasted water. The Wildlife Conservation Society at the zoo has developed a way to not only save water, but to convert an ordinary public restroom into the energy saving, Eco Bathroom.

The fourteen toilets and four urinals in the restrooms help to save over one million gallons of water per year. The urinals are waterless and the toilets use only 3 ounces of water per flush. This is possible because instead of water, a layer of foam envelops the inside of the toilets when flushed. When flushed, the waste travels not into a sewage system, but into a self contained composting compartment. The compartment has fungi, bacteria, and worms to rid the waste of human pathogens, turning the final product into something similar to top soil.

After using the composting toilets, you can wash your hands at the water saving sinks. The excess water flowing down the sink drain travels through pipes into what the Bronx Zoo calls a grey water garden. The water is not harmful to plants in the garden because it contains no toxic waste and the soap used for hand-washing is biodegradable.

Additionally, the Bronx Zoo Eco Bathroom utilizes natural daylight in its design, high efficiency light bulbs, a radiant heating system within the floor, and a system that harvests rainwater.

New Acrylic Clawfoot Bathtubs

You probably don't get as excited about bathtubs as we do, at Vintage Tub and Bath. However, if you plan to remodel your bathroom in the future and like the look of clawfoot bathtubs, you will be able to relate to our excitement.


We now exclusively offer a premium line of acrylic bathtubs from our Randolph Morris collection.


So why should this excite you? Since these acrylic clawfoot tubs are built from high quality, lightweight materials, they do not weigh as much as traditional cast-iron bathtubs. The new bathtubs are much lighter, resulting in a less stressful transportation and installation process. Another reason to become enthusiastic about these tubs is that they are less expensive than other acrylic clawfoot tubs.


Now you can fulfill your clawfoot desire while saving money and time!