THE CONTROVERSIAL BATHROOM
One of the many fun things about being a designer is that I get to use my own house as the “guinea pig” or test lab for many new products and ideas. I like to think most of these experiments have turned out pretty well. Those that don’t, well, Tim was very patient when we painted our living room, not twice, but THREE different times.
When we did our recent addition/ kitchen/ mudroom/ laundry and powder room, I decided to turn the powder room (still on plans, and not yet built) into a full bath since we did not have a full bath on the first floor. The problem is our house is not big, and I did not have room for anything more than a 5’ x 5’ bathroom, which is definitely not enough space for a full bath. So….being a boater and a camper, I designed myself a “boat bath.”
Since I did not have sufficient room for a separate shower stall, I designed a space with a drain in the floor, a ceiling rainhead, and a handheld showerhead on the wall. I chose a sink vanity combo that’s completely waterproof, and I tiled all the walls floor to ceiling (in a very cool tile, I might add). I utilized a watertight quartz surround on the window, painted the door in exterior grade paint, and Voila! I had myself a “boat bath”: the shower is in the same room as the toilet with no partition, and everything gets wet, but since it’s all water tight, no one cares. Oh, and yes, you do need to remove the toilet paper before you shower.
I adore my contractor Robert. We have done many wonderful projects together, and I value his opinion. Here’s his opinion of my boat bath: crazy lady, odd idea. I listened. And then I vetoed him. I want to age in place in my home, meaning I hope to grow (very) old here. There are no steps up to my back door, and I could easily turn my den into a bedroom someday. So, when I am no longer able to access my upstairs master bedroom and bath, I can still stay in this house now because I have my handy little “boat bath.” My architect thought I was nuts…and he’s a boater. Now that I have had him over for dinner, and showed him the completed project, I think I’m changing the tide.
Guess what else I can do. I can bathe Fred. When he stinks (I love him, but this is a common occurrence), he goes in the bathroom, I hose him down, I don’t have to pick him up (he’s heavier than he looks), and towel him dry.
Guess what ELSE we can do: We live at the beach. When we come in all sandy, my boat bath is right off my back door, so we can walk in the bathroom (remove the toilet paper) and shower off. It’s all good. And it’s fun.
My boat bath has gotten a lot of local press; meaning my friends and family all have opinions, and none of them are subtle. You are either “FOR” or “AGAINST,” and you have to pick a side. No one is neutral about the boat bath. I have to say, most of my people (the open-minded ones anyway :) love it. I know I do. And Fred does. And Robert doesn’t shower here, so it’s all good. I’m dying to know what you think!! So please send me comments and let me know!!
