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New Tips for Spring Remodeling

Noted American author, Tad Williams, once said, “Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head.”

So you have some ideas you’ve been thinking about, and you're finally getting around to doing that remodeling job on your house. Spring is that time of year when most of us, after spending much time during the winter staring at the walls, decide to put some long-thought-about ideas into motion. This means you can now take your renewed positive attitude, motivation and home remodeling skills to good use. However, before tackling a major project, let's look at some ideas you may have overlooked.

Shower Design Power

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We have many customers that come to our showroom looking for remodeling solutions, especially in their bathrooms. One family wanted a very nice bathtub, but also wanted to include a separate, freestanding shower unit. The problem was they couldn't afford both. In the end, they chose to spend a little extra on the tub, a beautiful, deep-soaking Clawfoot tub, and economized on a separate shower with sliding doors. The wife dressed up the drab shower by putting a handsome, fabric shower curtain to hide the sliding doors.

Room for Expansion

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I’ve purchased many houses over the years, and one thing I always do is to make sure the property is expandable. By that I mean are the property’s boundaries and set-backs such that I could add an extra room in the future if I so chose? If the house is on a foundation with “crawl space” it could be rather expensive to expand the floor system. A slab would be a little easier to work with, but don't forget the cost of drawing up plans, pouring more concrete, and more importantly, making sure the addition fits the current footprint design. Many people have created an oddity with their home by randomly adding rooms and extensions that don't follow the original footprint concept. A once-beautiful home can become an “albatross” if over-all design is not taken into consideration. A wise choice would be to hire a professional designer to help with this before you start.

Kitchen Tops Our Discussion

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Let's talk about the kitchen for a moment. As you know, counter tops are a real focal point in any kitchen. The old style of laminate counter tops are being replaced with abandon by most homeowners. That style has never had a reputation for holding up very well over time. A “laminate” is just that, a shallow surface of vinyl or plastic that is laminated over pressed board. The corners are notorious for being easily damaged. The surface will start to lift over time, regardless of the care.

Thank goodness for innovation. Today, granite countertops are the craze. However, even newer are the engineered quartz counter tops. Two words about counter tops: remember resale. Spend a little and it usually pays off in the long run. In one of the houses we built some years ago, we decided on laminate counter tops to make sure we stayed within our budget. We took good care of them over the years and they still looked good after ten years of living there. But, when we decided to sell, and before we put the house on the market, we spent a little money and replaced them with granite. It was a wise decision. The house sold quickly and the new homeowners could only rave about how beautiful the new counter tops were.

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Another thing about kitchen remodeling, unless you’re a professional cook or money is no object, don't buy an expensive commercial-style range and fridge. There are many mid-priced, great looking appliances out there. Appliances can be plenty big for your needs, so start with what you can afford. When I was growing up in the 1960s, we always had the same Frigidaire refrigerator. It was more like an old-time icebox. The inside was about half the size of modern, regular size refrigerators, with a place for two ice trays in the top. There was no freezer portion to speak of and it was about two feet shorter than today's versions. So today, be practical. You can always move up to something larger and nicer later. Save your money for custom cabinets and countertops.

There is a trend now to make the kitchen and bathroom huge, but they needn't be — after all, they're also the most expensive rooms to build. Opt for functionality over size. A nice touch in a shared bathroom is a separate room for the toilet. It can be relatively small, but include a window to provide light and a feeling of connecting with the outdoors.

Curtains Up

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Choose shower curtains over custom shower doors. Glass doors cost about $1,500, and they require a good deal of maintenance. Soap film build-up is one problem, requiring the need to squeegee them every time you take a shower. On the positive side, great-looking fabric shower curtains are very affordable, plus they add color and design to the shower area. And, if you get tired of the curtain color or design, you can always change it for little money.

Here is another tip for the bathroom: Buy a good toilet ― the new ones are quiet and use less water. Most showrooms don't have working models, so be sure to check the reviews. Dual-flush models are a good option.

WW2: Walls 'n' Windows

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Throughout the house, keep the windows the same size, if possible. That said, you can also make a spectacular change with really big windows or French doors. Increasing natural light is always a good investment. If you have single glass windows ― even if they're in decent shape ― it may be worth replacing them with insulated windows, which will save money on heating and cooling and also help reduce noise. Also, insulate all exterior walls and ceilings. If you open any internal walls, put in insulation, particularly around bedrooms and bathrooms. It's cheap and it helps reduce sound.

Nuances Make a Difference

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Small areas to consider are door hardware and light fixtures. Many homes have the typical cream-colored light and receptacle plates. By simply upgrading to something as simple as pewter light fixtures will speak volumes about quality and elegance. Light fixtures in old houses are normally ugly, discolored and out of date.

Bedrooms nowadays are fitted with ceiling fans, which come with their own light package. It’s easy to catch a sale on ceiling fans. They sometimes run as low as $59or $69. If you’re ever considering a future resale, this is invaluable. And don't forget the porch, especially a screened-in porch. A ceiling fan that is rated for outdoor use can turn the porch into a key gathering spot.

Never underestimate the transforming power of color. Paint offers immediate gratification. Even the good stuff is relatively inexpensive, and a careful amateur can do a good job. Hate the look of your house? Try a fresh coat of new paint first.

These are just a few suggestions for keeping your home beautiful and functional. “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort,” wrote English novelist, Jane Austen, in the 18th century. Her wise words ring true even today. Make your home a place of leisure that you can be proud to show off.

In this article, I discussed some useful ideas for spring remodeling such as adding a cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot tub, upgrading kitchen countertops, adding new ceiling fans, replacing electric plates with pewter, repainting rooms, and myriad other suggestions.

If you’d like some suggestions and professional advice about what type of bathing solution would work for your bathroom remodeling project, whether it’s a Clawfoot or Pedestal tub, a Walk-in tub or a Safety Suite Shower, Tub King’s experts are here to help.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog.

Thanks again for visiting with us.

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Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

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Bathtub Scenes in Horror Movies

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: filmsite.org

It's almost time for the Oscars. The 87th Academy Awards ceremony is slated for Thursday, February 22, 2015. Nominees for “Best Picture” include American Sniper, The Imitation Game, Selma, Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), The Grand Budapest Hotel, Boyhood, Whiplahs, and The Theory of Everything. Out of all the possible choices there is not a single horror movie. So I started wondering, has a horror movie ever won an Oscar? Surprisingly, yes!

For Visual Effects and Make Up:

The Birds (1963)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The Fly (1986)

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994)

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Furthermore, The Silence of the Lambs won “Best Picture” in 1991, which featured spellbinding performances by Jodi Foster and Anthony Hopkins.

The Exorcist picked up “Best Screenplay” and “Best Sound,” although it garnered nine total nominations. The movie holds the distinction of being the first horror movie ever nominated for “Best Picture.”

One thing that I have noticed about horror movies is that some of the same props seem to recur over and over again. The chainsaw, the axe, the knife, the sword, the meat cleaver are regulars, but have you ever noticed how man scary movies include a death scene or at least a scary moment in a bathroom, shower or bathtub?

Photo Credit: 1428elm.com

Let's start with the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Psycho. I saw that movie at the theater ... alone! I don't even remember how I got in to see it, being only 11 years old. The current rating system was brand new back then. I just remember when Janet Leigh had that shower curtain thrown back by Anthony Perkins and the stabbing began, I was ready to head for the exit. It's ironic that the next time I was that scared was when Janet Leigh's daughter was running around the house in Halloween.

Other famous bathtub scenes in horror movies:

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Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) The scene is set with a young teenage girl taking a bubble bath in a Clawfoot tub. She begins to sing a lullaby and slowly puts herself to sleep. That's a big problem because Freddy Krugger comes alive in her dreams. The razor sharp fingers begin to rise to the surface of the water as she sleeps, then suddenly her mother calls out to her, “Don't fall asleep in there, you could drown you know.” Then in a flash she is jerked underwater and the screaming begins.

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What Lies Beneath (2000) Michelle Pfeiffer is convinced there is a ghost in the house, and as she takes a bath in a Clawfoot tub, strange things happen. Suddenly, she’s paralyzed, only able to move her toes, as the tub fills to overflowing. She desperately tries to open the drain with her toes and everything goes wrong. Suspense mounts as she finds a clever way to shut off the faucet, and the water slowly recedes below her mouth. It was a very close call and a heart pounding moment. A few years later, a parody was done of various scary movies and this particular scene was hilarious.

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Grave Encounters (2011) was a low budget movie that was a huge success at the box office. It was about a team of paranormal experts who lock themselves into a haunted psychiatric ward in an abandoned hospital. It was a real nail-biter. The bathtub scene featured a girl in a hospital gown, standing over an old Clawfoot tub in an otherwise empty room. As one of the technicians gets to the tub, he finds it full of blood. He looks to the cameraman as a hand reaches out of the tub and pulls him under. Creepy!

I can't possibly go into detail about all the bathtub scenes in horror movies, but if you want to research it yourself, let me give you a more complete listing:

The Shining

The Changeling

Photo Credit: flickrhivemind.netflickrhivemind.net

Deadline

The House of the Devil

Stigmata

Grace

The Tingler

Requiem for a Dream

Mirrors

Cabin Fever

Hostel II

Shivers

Slither

The Lost Boys

Now, to the question: Why are there so many Clawfoot bathtubs in horror movies? There can only be one answer. Think about it, when do you feel most vulnerable?

When you’re naked and all alone.

Photo Credit: overstock.com

In a bathtub, we undress, get all relaxed, enjoying the warm water. We lie back, placing our neck on a towel along the rolled rim and close our eyes. What could possibly go wrong? That's why the bathtub prop works time and time again. Just when you least expect something bad to happen, bingo! The horror movies simply plays on our own sense of vulnerability.

Now, in the real world, Clawfoot tubs have nothing to do with the words “horror,” “terror,” or “scary.” These beautiful creations of cast iron and porcelain are harmless vessels that bring both beauty to a bathroom and enjoyment to the bather. Popular models would include the traditional Rolled Top, the Slipper tub, the Double Slipper, the Dual-ended and the Pedestal. These handsome bathtubs come in many shapes and sizes and provide not only enjoyment, but added value and prestige to your bathroom.

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The only thing scary for some is the price. Make sure you compare prices from different suppliers. There are several companies that import new cast iron/porcelain tubs and sell them to you in a wide range of prices. You don't have to over-pay to get one of these beautiful models. Usually, the better companies will run specials and include more choices, such as claw feet made of polished chrome, brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. There might even be a way to get free shipping.

And don't forget the hand-held faucet choices such as the “English Telephone,” or the free-standing models. These can be purchased along with the drain system and the water supply lines. These fixtures also come in the same finishes as the Clawfoot legs to make a perfect-looking match.

The only other disturbing thing to beware of is buying one of these tubs in any material other than porcelain. The acrylic models (a.k.a., plastic) simply don't hold up over time. They have a tendency to lose their shape and eventually discolor. They can really become a “monster” and you'll not be happy with your buying decision. Make sure you get a quality cast iron/porcelain tub with a long-lasting warranty. Unless you drop and anvil in the tub, most cast iron/porcelain tubs will last for a hundred years.

Photo Credit: minimililsti.com

Also, don't be scared away from making a buying decision. If you have been looking for years for a way to truly beautify your bathroom, the Clawfoot tub might just be the answer. If you’ve looked lately at one of the home magazines, you’ve most likely seen a Clawfoot tub. These elegant-looking tubs make it easy to create a theme around your new tub. When you have guests, they'll fall in love with it. And if ever decide to resell you home, this tub might just be the deal maker. I’ve had several customers tell me that their Clawfoot tub helped to sell their home.

In this article, I talked about why bathtub scenes are so common in the horror movie genre, mentioning several famous horror films that had a frightening scene take place in a Clawfoot tub. I then went on to explain that in reality, cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot tubs are a real asset to anyone’s home, and serve to enhance its value … as well as the owner’s pleasure in bathing in them.

If you found this article interesting, please share and forward it to friends and family. If you’d like to leave a comment or question, please do so in the Comments section below.

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If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Or, if you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed below and I’ll personally get back to you. Thanks for reading; it’s my pleasure to share this information with you.

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Bathtub for a King

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: comicvine.com

No king, either in secular history or biblical history, has ever surpassed the cruel reputation of Herod the Great. He was appointed by Augustus Caesar to reign over the Jews in the ancient land of Judea, and did so for over 30 years, finally dying in the year 4 B.C.

King Herod, with his megalomania, building obsession, and cruelty, was a notorious villain and remains so today. During his life, he was so worried about being deposed, he had his own wife and three children executed for expected treason. We’ve all heard or read in the Bible of the evil king that decreed the death of all male children, two years or younger, because he feared the rise of the King of the Jews. According to the Bible, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid the king’s edict.

My wife and I have had the privilege of journeying to Israel and Egypt several years ago. One of the points of great interest was the Herodium. This was the location of King Herod’s principal palace, located on a mountain top just a short distance from Jerusalem. This was also to become his burial place.

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Aside from his nefarious deeds, another significant aspect of Herod’s legacy is, without question, structural in nature. Few of his undertakings were modest. This is true in terms of size (his physical constructions were among the largest in the world at the time), architecture (Herod’s reign introduced innovations in fortification, build-quality, shape, and use), and sheer number of projects. He was responsible for erecting many palaces, fortresses in Jericho, Masada, Herodium, and Jerusalem; aqueducts in Jerusalem, Herzilya, Masada, and elsewhere; the port and town of Caesarea (including the Hippodrome, theater, and temple); and the unprecedented renovation of the Second Temple. Building things was how Herod earned the title of “Great.”

The renewed Israel Museum now houses many of the artifacts of Herod the Great’s empire taken from Herodium. In 2013, the museum produced Herod’s Edifice Complex for the public to see. The press title for the museum’s new and very shiny exhibit was, “Herod the Great: The King’s Final Journey.”

Photo Credit: dailymail.co.uk

One of the priceless pieces taken from Herodium and representing Herod’s standards for the very best in structure was his ornate “bathtub,” made of alabaster stone. Back then, it was the stone of art par excellence. Named after an Egyptian town where the stone was mined, it’s characterized by the crystal size (less than .05 millimeters) disposed in an intimate framework that confers alabaster’s translucency and compactness. The first of these qualities provides alabaster with its characteristic beauty, the second, combined with gypsum’s low hardness, makes it extremely valuable and desired.

Today, Herod’s ponderous bathtub is perched on an original geometric floor. It must have been some feat to lug that hunk of stone to the museum floor.

The self-centered king lived large. Inscribed jugs that once held imported wines especially for the king, perfume bottles that once held rare scents, and containers of pricey balsam oil, all speak to the opulence that surrounded Herod.

Today, tubs of incredible beauty can still be found. Maybe not as heavy or rare as King Herod’s, but the look of these tubs draws immediate praise and establishes a note of opulence. They are made of cast iron, and overlaid with rich, creamy-white porcelain. Porcelain is made from the glass family and is literally sprayed over the cast iron at temperatures reaching 2,000°F. The porcelain can be broken, but with great difficulty. It's hardened to last a lifetime and beyond. These porcelain tubs fall into two categories:

Antique Porcelain Tubs

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Unfortunately, the porcelain tubs that were manufactured in the U.S. a hundred years ago have almost disappeared. You don’t have to be an archaeologist to discover them, but you do have to search. They’re often found in pastures used as watering troughs, or as a huge flower pot. Too often, they’re just left outside to rust and weather. If you’re fortunate enough to find one of these, they’re usually in poor condition. Many of these old tubs date back to the early 1900s. They sometimes will have porcelain missing or have significant chips that require painstaking repair. Also, one or more of the cast iron legs have probably been lost or broken. Quite of few of the old tubs were thrown out when fiberglass became popular and have had to endure the weather for many years. The heat, cold, and abuse can make them seem worthless, although some companies specialize in restoring them. They spray a new finish on the tubs and they can become quite attractive.

New Production Porcelain Tubs

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Since foundries are no longer manufacturing these cast iron and porcelain tubs in the U.S., buyers have had to go to dealers who import them from foreign countries where they’re still made. These are reproductions of the antique ones, but you gain the advantage of newly cast tubs. The porcelain is brand new, with the shine and smooth texture of ceramic. You can find these tubs in attractive and useful designs, such as Roll-rimmed, Slipper, Double Slipper, Dual-ended, and Pedestals. These tubs can make any bathroom look like one belonging to royalty. These beautiful soaking tubs are purchased by those who want their home to look like a palace, without having to pay a king’s ransom to purchase them.

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The pedestal tubs sit on a skirt or apron that raises the tub an additional six to eight inches off the floor, making it a true centerpiece of excellence. The clawfoot-legged tubs sit upon the feet of designs emulating the feet of animals such as the eagle, bear, and lion. The legs are made of chrome, brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze. If you’re looking for something to really make your bathroom stand out, you needn’t look any further than today’s elegant cast iron and porcelain tubs.

In this article, I discussed many of the structures that the King Herod the Great had constructed in his ancient kingdom in Israel and Egypt. In particular, I highlighted his ornate, large bathtub. I then went on to point out that today, people can still have a taste of regal opulence by installing a cast iron, porcelain clawfoot bathtub in their homes.

If you found this article interesting, please share and forward. If you’d like to leave a comment or question, please do so in the Comments section below.

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If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Or, if you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed below and I’ll personally get back to you. Thanks for reading; it’s my pleasure to share this information with you.