Perhaps that’s why the soaking tub is making a comeback. A long, hot soak is proven to mend both body and spirit. Water and warmth combine to create a sense of well-being through hydrotherapy — the water’s buoyancy eases the pull of gravity as its heat promotes deep muscle relaxation. Nurturing and ritualistic, taking a bath seems to wash away the cares and stresses of the day.
With the art of bathing out of the closet, the bathroom and all it encompasses is coming out into the open as well. The bathroom is becoming a showplace rather than a behind-the-doors affair, and the bathtub is taking center stage.
Sales of freestanding bathtubs in the U.S. are up, according to industry experts. Karl Schuele of Victoria & Albert, a global manufacturer at the forefront of the freestanding tub market, says sales have increased every year since the company began making them 15 years ago.
It’s what Donna Warner, editor in chief of Metropolitan Home, calls “the spa-inspired big-tub movement.”
“The more the world stresses us out,” Warner wrote in the May 2009 issue of the magazine, “the more we look for escapes, places where we can put everyday life on hold and take our minds to a kinder, gentler place, even if just for a 20-minute soak.”
Splashing, soaking and sinking into bubbles feels much more indulgent when you’re slipping
into a majestic claw foot tub, easing into a slipper tub made for two (see the Victoria & Albert Amalfi), or stepping into a deep, Japanese-style soaking tub (see the Victoria & Albert Sorrento). In the quest for a spa-like environment, more and more customers are choosing stand-alone baths.
Victoria & Albert’s 21 stand-alone designs, which range from ultra-contemporary to classic, are made of a unique mix of resin and volcanic limestone that’s fast becoming the high-end alternative to cast iron.
Freestanding tubs transform a bathroom, putting a focus on the ritual of bathing, says Schuele, national sales and marketing director for Victoria & Albert. Many customers prefer dual-ended models designed for sharing, such as Victoria & Albert’s Marlborough slipper tub or its sculpture-like Monaco. Choose a bathtub that molds to the contours of your body and creates a hot bath fast for long steamy soaks, such as Victoria & Albert’s stately Capri or the egg-like Napoli..
Other ways to get a spa experience in your bathroom:
-Add dramatic lighting or install dimmers on existing lighting for a subdued effect.
-Splurge on luxury soaps and bath salts. Invest in thick, plush towels.
-Before a bath, quickly fluff and warm your towels in the dryer.
-Play soothing music and light scented candles.
-Paint your bathroom a soothing color, such as a soft blue or green.
-Consider moving the experience outside: a modern sit tub based on the traditional Japanese ofuro, the Sorrento by Victoria & Albert is a popular option for outdoors.
So set the mood, draw a bath and enjoy.
For more information, call Mary Sue at (800) 421-7189 or go to www.vandabaths.com.
About ENGLISHCAST™
Victoria & Albert baths are made from ENGLISHCAST™
About Victoria & Albert®
Victoria & Albert is a global leader in bath innovation and design, creating a versatile range of traditional and contemporary freestanding bathtubs. Known for its durability, every
ENGLISHCAST™
Victoria & Albert products are sold at more than 400 kitchen and bath showrooms across the U.S. and Canada. Established in the U.K. in 1996, Victoria & Albert extended its brand to the U.S. in 2002, and now offers its products in more than 20 countries across the globe.
