The Hedonist's Guide to Rustic Bathtubs
Soak away your cares in a bathtub that is not only a source of deep and relaxing pleasure but is anything but angular and modern
Most at home in a rustic bathroom setting, these antique, individual and sometimes eccentric tubs ignore conventional finishes and style in favour of old-fashioned materials and country-manor simplicity.
Tin talking point
The standout rustic element in this ranch-style master bathroom is a cocoon-shaped, 1880s high-back, galvanised bathtub that was originally filled with a hand-crank pump to drain the tub. The interior designer responsible for this bathroom and the rest of the rocky mountain Aspen retreat, Rebecca Kaufmann, reused vintage fixtures for plumbing and electrical features throughout. The antique master bathtub was modernised and fitted to a wooden sled-shaped bracket to stop the curved tub rolling.
The standout rustic element in this ranch-style master bathroom is a cocoon-shaped, 1880s high-back, galvanised bathtub that was originally filled with a hand-crank pump to drain the tub. The interior designer responsible for this bathroom and the rest of the rocky mountain Aspen retreat, Rebecca Kaufmann, reused vintage fixtures for plumbing and electrical features throughout. The antique master bathtub was modernised and fitted to a wooden sled-shaped bracket to stop the curved tub rolling.
Blue belle
This sky blue bathtub with timber trim sits in an American gothic country retreat near New York. While the bathroom features typical rustic hallmarks, such as a framed wooden fireplace and scrubbed wooden floorboards, it’s the tub and its dusty ultramarine tint that is the treasure here.
This sky blue bathtub with timber trim sits in an American gothic country retreat near New York. While the bathroom features typical rustic hallmarks, such as a framed wooden fireplace and scrubbed wooden floorboards, it’s the tub and its dusty ultramarine tint that is the treasure here.
Silver star
The rustic style of yore has been given a contemporary twist in this pared-back white bathroom in an architect’s 18th-century east London house. At the bathroom’s centre is a silver bateau bathtub from William Holland, gleaming sliver and bouncing light around the room. What a gem!
Add metalllic shimmer to your bathroom
The rustic style of yore has been given a contemporary twist in this pared-back white bathroom in an architect’s 18th-century east London house. At the bathroom’s centre is a silver bateau bathtub from William Holland, gleaming sliver and bouncing light around the room. What a gem!
Add metalllic shimmer to your bathroom
Wooden wonder
If you love to splash about reciting the children’s nursery rhyme ‘Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub…’ but are also after a high level of sophistication for your soak, then this is the bath for you. Shaped like a barrel, and skilfully made with slatted pieces of wood bound together with metal trim, these baths are the work of expert craftsmen.
Which bathtub material is for you?
If you love to splash about reciting the children’s nursery rhyme ‘Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub…’ but are also after a high level of sophistication for your soak, then this is the bath for you. Shaped like a barrel, and skilfully made with slatted pieces of wood bound together with metal trim, these baths are the work of expert craftsmen.
Which bathtub material is for you?
Country charmer
The beauty of this clawfoot bath is in its traditional graceful shape, but it has been accessorised with contemporary fittings and fixtures in a vintage style to ensure that the bathing experience, i.e. filling up the tub, is not a chore but a luxury. Added to the room’s countrified sensibilities are some simple pieces of furniture, such as a Windsor chair, a full-length mirror and an old trunk up-cycled with some chalk paint to create a handy storage space for towels. Other homey and eclectic elements such as artworks and knick-knacks, have been added to complement the shabby chic style.
The beauty of this clawfoot bath is in its traditional graceful shape, but it has been accessorised with contemporary fittings and fixtures in a vintage style to ensure that the bathing experience, i.e. filling up the tub, is not a chore but a luxury. Added to the room’s countrified sensibilities are some simple pieces of furniture, such as a Windsor chair, a full-length mirror and an old trunk up-cycled with some chalk paint to create a handy storage space for towels. Other homey and eclectic elements such as artworks and knick-knacks, have been added to complement the shabby chic style.
Patina perfectionist
The thought of living in a country house in Provence in the south of France is hugely popular with the bohemian crowd. Paint by first morning’s light, fill up on a rustic feast for lunch, then soak by afternoon in a slickly-styled bathroom featuring a huge tub, such as this gorgeous example that boasts a rustic patina.
The thought of living in a country house in Provence in the south of France is hugely popular with the bohemian crowd. Paint by first morning’s light, fill up on a rustic feast for lunch, then soak by afternoon in a slickly-styled bathroom featuring a huge tub, such as this gorgeous example that boasts a rustic patina.
Barnyard belle
While this bathroom in a UK barn conversion is characterised by high-vaulted timber-trussed ceilings, the floor is graced with a smart tin-lined copper tub. With a view to the sky above, this is just the place to lie back and soak away the afternoon, planning the next day’s events.
See more of this hay loft
While this bathroom in a UK barn conversion is characterised by high-vaulted timber-trussed ceilings, the floor is graced with a smart tin-lined copper tub. With a view to the sky above, this is just the place to lie back and soak away the afternoon, planning the next day’s events.
See more of this hay loft
Copper queen
After being awestruck by the stone-work walls of this bathroom in a French chateau, one’s eye is immediately drawn to a shiny bateau-shaped copper bath. Perhaps sipping wine while bathing in such a stylish tub is a touch too decadent, and even unsafe, but who could blame a bather for wanting to do so? Afterall, the bathroom is set in a stunning antique-filled chateau in the Champagne region. Cheers!
See more of this project
After being awestruck by the stone-work walls of this bathroom in a French chateau, one’s eye is immediately drawn to a shiny bateau-shaped copper bath. Perhaps sipping wine while bathing in such a stylish tub is a touch too decadent, and even unsafe, but who could blame a bather for wanting to do so? Afterall, the bathroom is set in a stunning antique-filled chateau in the Champagne region. Cheers!
See more of this project
Shabby chic
Who would blame a chap or lady withdrawing to a private cottage-style bathroom for the day to luxuriate in a pristine white bathtub? Fill it full of scented bath salts to ease tired muscles or take advantage of the solitude to catch up on a spot of reading.
Catch up with the queen of shabby chic
Who would blame a chap or lady withdrawing to a private cottage-style bathroom for the day to luxuriate in a pristine white bathtub? Fill it full of scented bath salts to ease tired muscles or take advantage of the solitude to catch up on a spot of reading.
Catch up with the queen of shabby chic
Heavenly haven
This serene bath nook is perfect for those who want to replicate the opulence of a luxury oriental spa, but with a touch of the contemporary in the subdued modern palette and fittings.
TELL US
What’s your notion of an eccentric bath? Wood, stone metal or another material not covered here? Tell us about your dream rustic bath in the Comments.
MORE
Bath Lovers Unite: 18 Deluxe Tubs You’ll Love
World of Design: 12 Soothing Bathtubs in Rejuvenating Settings
14 Bathroom Trends Expected to Be Big in 2015
This serene bath nook is perfect for those who want to replicate the opulence of a luxury oriental spa, but with a touch of the contemporary in the subdued modern palette and fittings.
TELL US
What’s your notion of an eccentric bath? Wood, stone metal or another material not covered here? Tell us about your dream rustic bath in the Comments.
MORE
Bath Lovers Unite: 18 Deluxe Tubs You’ll Love
World of Design: 12 Soothing Bathtubs in Rejuvenating Settings
14 Bathroom Trends Expected to Be Big in 2015
There’s nothing more enchanting than bringing rustic beauty to the bathroom in the shape of a tub made from stone. Whether hewn from real rock or fashioned from an engineered composite, a stone-look bath creates an instant rustic aesthetic.