nor176... thanks for your reply. I got sidetracked in the steam shower threads!! Did your Vita Bath get installed yet? Anxious to hear how you like it. I've also looked at both the Aquatic and Vita Bath. If my memory serves me correctily, without digging back into my files, isn't the Vita Bath a bit smaller? The Serenity, big enough for 2, is bigger than what i think would look right in our bathroom. So hard to tell before the walls are up! We're also going vintage (farmhouse). I'm looking into the Champaign series from American Bath Factory as well. They have a pretty good variety of sizes and styles to choose from, lots of jets, and the price seems a little lower. Did you order on line or from a local retailer? Hope to hear how you like yours, although I'll probably have to make my decision before mid-August. Thanks for your info!

I purchased a free-standing, composite soaking tub from Devon & Devon (D&D) (they have a clawfoot, but I chose a different style). Two advantages of composite over acrylic: it holds the heat, and scratches or stains can be easily "buffed out" with light sand paper. The D&D tub has a satin-like matte finish. I use Windex to clean it. D&D is pricey, but after trying out tubs for months, it was my favorite, and I was willing to wait several more months for delivery. Other brands I considered: Wetstyle (from Canada), Bain Ultra, Toto, Kohler, Duravit, Blu Bathworks, Mti, Hydrosystems, Axor, and T&L. Zucchetti and V&A tubs were tempting - but I didn't like the look of the exposed drain pipe.

I think it depends on how you live and if you're planning for resale. I am a bath person and chose an insert so that I could have an air jetted tub, have room for candles, bath salts, etc. and for ease of cleaning around it. I was told that it can sometimes be difficult to clean around free standing tubs, especially in a smaller space. Also, we wanted a larger one as my husband enjoys it after a long day of cycling. The tub insert may not be the rage right now but it functions best for us.

Here are some ideas to think about. You want storage for items like towels, candles, TP, etc. What about a free standing cabinet? Part (or all) can be glass fronted where towels, candles, bath bombs, even TP and less attractive things can be stored in baskets. By putting the shower door opening toward the vanity, this would free up the area at the tub end of the shower. An attractive cabinet against the wall next to the closet door would be a good location (see my edits). Then, a nice bench can be placed next to the tub to hold a burning candle, a fresh towel, a book, and a glass of wine to enjoy your bath with. What mystifies me is when people comment that the toilet is being seen as something terrifying or revolting. Nobody here said that about this toilet. There was just a desire to minimize it's view while using the tub to improve the tub area aesthetic. No need for such hyperbole.