bathroom remodeling thoughts

[sichling]

So, as some of you know, we're planning on remodeling two bathrooms - one in our apartment on the second floor & the bathroom in the first floor apartment.

We have claw-foot tubs now, which I don't like because they aren't good for showers (a large usage) and they're hard to get into (for us short people).

I've been hunting for a decent tub that would fit & actually provide decent space, you know, inside the tub! The size would be 66"x36" or maybe 38", at most. Now, the best tub I've been able to find is the Kohler Tea-for-Two, where the bathing well is 45"x25"x19.5", and it does an alcove installation; of course, it is cast-iron and about $1200. There's the Hydro-Systems Sylvia (66"x38") with a bathing well of 47"x27"x20.5", but I don't see any indication that it can be an alcove installation. *grumph*

So, I ran across the following on EBay
Steam Shower Spa Sauna Tub that seems to be an Ariel SS-807A. It has a seat, which would be nice for bathing a child (and wsmith would like a shower with a seat). It's got spiffy shower stuff for a relaxing shower. It has the whirlpool jets for a fun bath. Remind me why this would be a silly idea....

Ok - so, there's
a) It would probably need to go in front of the window in the bathroom, which would mean covering up that window...
b) It would require an additional electrical socket
c) An improved hot water heater might be needed???
d) I think the bathroom is 66" - and this is 66.5" - maybe that can't be gotten from the walls, when they're torn out to put the plumbing inside.
e) The default manufacturer's warranty is only 1 year.

It looks like fun (ok - a bit extravagant) and might help with resale value when we get there (ignoring previous claims of never moving again). I wouldn't need to tile the walls for the shower, if I got this instead.

Clearly, I'm enamored enough with the idea to be up sillily late researching it.
What do you think of the idea?

Comments

[sichling.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm going to hunt reviews and such. This doesn't feel too cutting edge to me, but I could be wrong. Also, many of the electronic features aren't what specifically appeals. I don't know.

I wouldn't be building for resale - this would be for myself and Nick. It'd be nice to have a good 2-person shower, for when the baby is a bit older. The tub with seat for bathing Will or other kids would be great. I like some of the massage stuff - not, perhaps, enough to pay silly money for it, but non-standard tubs are already sadly expensive.

(yes - call - we're just hanging out this afternoon, babysitting mzkero's little boy and, well, obsessing about bathrooms. (that's just me - really))