Thanks for the responses. The more I think about using chrome, the more I think I like it. Sweeby, I think you're correct that it's a more appropriate finish for an old fashioned look, which is what I want. I had seen some fixtures, with old/antique copper finish, that I loved and was trying to put together a whole set of fixtures. But I think chrome will be better all together, and it'll be easier and cheaper to get fixtures that go together and that I like. aunttomichael - are you happy with your faucets? I had looked at Sign of the Crab briefly and thought they looked really good, but hadn't heard anything about them. Apparently they also go by Strom Plumbing? kgwlisa - I think your faucet choices are great, and I think that your idea of using levers on the tub instead of using similar but different cross handles on tub and sink is a smart way to go. I've also looked at the American Bath Factory faucets and thought they looked good. Is the Harrington Brass company considered a good one to buy faucets from also? tudorlover - I thing having the light fixture in polished nickel will be fine. In my powder room I tried and didn't like the look of brushed nickel faucet and chrome towel racks and TP holder, because they were so close together and there was a big contrast in the finishes. But a polished nickel light fixture should work nicely with just about other finish, including the chrome. One more question... Has anyone used or heard anything about faucets from Baths From The Past? I think they look great but I can't find out anything about them.

Jodi, I'm assuming you probably have a tub where the drillings are through the tub wall rather than the rim? There are a lot of different handshower faucets (often called "telephone" faucets because the handshower resembles an old-fashioned telephone handset) that are adjustable to fit many different drillings. These are called "swivel arm connectors". For filling-up speed check the description for "____ gal/min @ ____ PSI" (for example, 8 gal/min. @ 60PSI" - that means that if you have a water pressure of 60PSI, the faucet will (should) fill the tub at the rate of 8 gallons a minute. Vintagetub.com has a nice selection of telephone faucets with swivel-arm connectors at reasonable prices and their customer service cannot be beat; for example, here is a nice one from Strom Plumbing, which is a well-regarded manufacturer. There are deck-mounted versions as well. To comment on some of the older posts, just in case anyone goes looking for info... This lovely little overflow cover gives you an extra inch or so of water depth. You have to caulk around the rim when installing it because it leaks if you don't. Obviously it works best if you use a twist-and-lift drain or (as we did) the truly idiotproof and easily repairable rubber stopper, it doesn't work with the type that has the lever on the overflow. Regarding missing feet: Vintage Tub now makes replacement tub feet - ship them one of yours and they will cast a copy of it. deabath.com has a large stock of old feet and may be able to find a matching vintage foot; they also cast matching replacements and MAY be able to hook you up with a set of four matching feet if all your tub's feet have gone astray. Cleaning around the tub: Plumber goofed the rough-ins (forgot to account for wallboard and wainscot!) and the tub ended up being about 2" from the wall on two sides. I used a Swiffer mop frame with a microfiber cleaning cloth to get underneath and around ours, because it would lie down completely flat. I had a long-handled scrubby thing that would also go completely flat and fit well into the tight space behind the tub. It really ended up being pretty simple. Now, for hauling that durn tub... two guys, both skinny as rails, moved my iron 60" clawfoot tub up a flight of narrow stairs pretty easily using a wonderful gadget called a Shoulder Dolly. I first learned about these because all the appliance delivery people and many movers around here use them. It was cheap and one of the best investments we've made, I can't tell you how many times we've used it and lent it out to many other people.

Dana, thank you - you made my day! Glad to hear you are saving the tub. You won't be sorry. Believe it or not the original claw tub is a feature which is now included in real estate listings to attract old house buyers. Chances are people who don't like baths just have never lived with a nice deep luxurious old tub. A bath in such a tub bears no resemblance to a bath in one of those horrible shallow modern bath tubs. It might take some getting used to but the claw tub with a tall gooseneck faucet is a great substitute for a shower. After a good soak you rinse off sticking your head under the faucet. Or, some people use the hand held showers. I just have a tub only and I never ever have wished I could have a shower. When I lived with a shower only I really missed having baths and would in fact sometimes go to friends houses to use theirs! For the people who just GOTTA have that stand up shower==see if there is ANYWHERE else in your house where you can put it. The tiled floor with drain sounds like a great solution too.

Ah, Golddust, you do not want to do what I did (or didn't do). This is an 1850 house, and the plumbing pictured is the only option. In order to pull it off, the tub needs to be raised up. Before the remodel/repainting, it sat on four ugly wood blocks (courtesy of a former owner). My contractor decided to build a more attractive platform. Nice idea, but then unrelated events were set into motion and he ended up quitting my remodel and going into another business. This was a blow because he did a great job on other areas of the house, and the very rural area in which I live isn't exactly overrun with reliable workers. Since then I've approached two other contractors about finishing the job. One sounds like he might actually do it.....one of these days. In addition to the plumbing/platform, the room needs new wiring over the sink, and cabinet hardware installed. Meanwhile, after a lot of time spent looking forward to taking a bath (yes, we have a stall shower, thank heavens), my hip arthritis has progressed to the point where I'm no longer able to sit on the floor, and I have serious doubts about my ability to get in and out of that tub. So the way it looks now, it's possible the tub will never be usable in my lifetime--or, if it is, I won't use it. That's the long answer. :-)