Shower or Bath?

Shower or bath - which do you prefer? A beautiful freestanding tub is like sculpture in a room. It can add a vintage touch, a bit of glamour or possibly, a private place to enjoy a beautiful view. Practically speaking, a tub is a necessity for households with young children. While a soak in a luxurious tub is a relaxing way to unwind, an energizing shower is the perfect way to start a new day. Overhead and wall-mounted shower heads provide invigorating massage. Glass shower enclosures contain water while keeping bathroom interiors light and open. So, which is better -- shower or bath? If space and budget permit, the best bathroom is one that offers both. Here are some options . . .

"The master bath's chocolaty walls play up the brilliant whites of a recycled tub, curtains in Kally Almost White sheer from Hancock Fabrics, and Daltile floor and shower tiles. The crystal light fixture is a 1980s update of old-school glamour."

Jacksonville, Illinois home of Annie Brahler, owner of EuroTrash, which offers interior design, styling and customized buying trips.

Interior design by Annie Brahler.

Photography by Bjorn Wallander.

Interview by Douglas Brenner.

House Beautiful (May 2012).

 "The crystal ship chandelier 'was a whimsical last-minute selection,' says designer Ken Fulk about the master bath in a Victorian San Franciscan house. Floor tile from Ann Sacks. Sunrise Specialty Tub."

Interior design by Ken Fulk.

Photography by Francesco Lagnese.
"Dress it Up"

House Beautiful (June 2011).

"Glass walls make it feel as if the shower takes up less space. Fixtures from the .25 collection by Waterworks." 

The white pebble mosaic in the shower was designed to create a "subtle feeling of the beach." Radiant heat under the marble floor. Glass shower sealed with silicone to waterproof it. Clear plastic gasket on door.

The photo below shows the .25 Freestanding Oval Tub by Waterworks more clearly.

Greenwich, Connecticut bathroom designed by Peter Mark and Elizabeth Needham.

Photography by Julian Wass.

Produced by David M. Murphy.

Stylist: Gregory Bissonnette.

"Bath of the Month" interview by Christine Pittel.

House Beautiful (December 2010 - January 2011).

"The .25 Freestanding Oval tub by Waterworks has clean, sculptural lines." This tub is deeper than usual tubs. "It's a real soaking tub. You can have water up to your shoulders. . . . When you set it at an angle, it looks more ethereal. We also placed it to face the best view. We have a truly spectacular spot on Long Island Sound, and we wanted to keep everything simple so it wouldn't detract from the view."

This tub is the companion to the glass lined shower pictured above.

Greenwich, Connecticut bathroom designed by Peter Mark and Elizabeth Needham.

Photography by Julian Wass.

Produced by David M. Murphy.

Stylist: Gregory Bissonnette.

"Bath of the Month" interview by Christine Pittel.

House Beautiful (December 2010 - January 2011).

"A tub with Lefroy Brooks fittings in the master bath; the towel stand is custom made, and the mantel is original to the house."
See picture below for shower room that accompanies this bath.

London home of Kim Hersov, editor-at-large for Harper's Bazaar UK.

Photography by Simon Upton.Text by Celia Barbour.

"London Assurance" produced by Anita Sarsidi.
Elle Decor (October 2012).

Shower room that accompanies tub pictured above.

"The shower room is sheathed in horn tiles, and the floor is teak."

London home of Kim Hersov, editor-at-large of Harper's Bazaar UK.

Photography by Simon Upton.
Text by Celia Barbour.

"London Assurance" produced by Anita Sarsidi.
Elle Decor (October 2012).

"Seamless glass shower doors open up the space to create light and tranquility. Tub and fittings, Kohler. Art, Laurent Elie Badessi. Ceramic table, Christophe Delcourt for 

Ralph Pucci International."

Greenwich, Connecticut home of Ralph Pucci.

Interior design by Vicente Wolf.

Architectural design by Peter Glazer.

Photography by Vicente Wolf.

Text by Stephen Treffinger.

"Comfort Zone" produced by Carolyn Englefield.

Veranda (November - December 2010).

"In the master bath of the Manhattan apartment of fashion designer Lela Rose, a partition of glass and steel shelters both an open shower for her husband and an antique claw-foot tub that she prefers. The nickel showerhead and fittings are from George Taylor Specialties in New York City."

Photography by Pieter Estersohn.

"Irresistible Open Showers" by Dickson Wong.

Elle Decor.

 "A claw-foot tub from Sunrise Specialty adds a period touch to the master bathroom. Waterworks faucet."

Amy Neunsinger's home in Los Angeles's Laurel Canyon.

Photography by Amy Neunsinger.

"A Ranch House Makeover" by Alexandra Mott.

House Beautiful.

Amy Neunsinger's master bathroom is pictured above. Here is her guest bathroom. If a separate tub and shower enclosure are not feasible, a tub with a rain shower head can provide optimal bathing options.

"With its Sunrise Specialty cast-iron tub and rain shower head, the guest bath is as inviting as a spa."

Amy Neunsinger's home in Los Angeles's Laurel Canyon.
Photography by Amy Neunsinger.
"A Ranch House Makeover" by Alexandra Mott.
House Beautiful.

"[Jenna] Lyons obsessively sprayed the fixtures with ocean water, so the brass would appear as seasoned as the herringbone floor."
Tub (similar to shown): cast-iron claw foot at Vintage Tub and Bath.
Faucet: "Regent" exposed thermostatic tub/shower from Barber Wilsons and Co.
Chrome-plated brass towel rack from Myson.
Niche Modern solitaire pendant from YLighting.
Former Park Slope, New York home of J. Crew's Jenna Lyons.
Photography by Melanie Acevedo.
Text by Lauren Sandler.
"Totally Modern Timelessness" produced by Kim Ficaro.
Domino (November 2008).