Farmhouse Sinks, Outdoor Spaces and Claw Foot Soaking Tubs
This post may seem a bit random, but I recently got asked the question…
“If money wasn’t an option, and you had the manpower…
what would you want to buy or do next, in your home?”
what would you want to buy or do next, in your home?”
I didn’t realize how passionately and quickly I could answer this question, until I started mindlessly writing my answers down, So I thought I’d turn this into a little session of:
Once I got thinking, I pretty much had three big things that I WISH I could do/have, but probably never will. (at least in THIS house anyway).
#1. A Farmhouse style Kitchen Sink.
Yup, I want one SO bad! For a while there, we even toyed with the idea of cutting out granite, shortening/replacing kitchen cabinets, or even demo-ing the “sink part” of our kitchen, JUST to install a beautiful farmhouse styled basin. Unfortunately Cason DOES put is foot down every once in a while… so this obsession had to quickly fizzle and die.
(blush)
#2. A Re-Donkulously Awesome Outdoor Living Space
I’ve never really been an “outdoorsy” kinda girl. I sort of hate camping, unless I have hot running water, flush toilets and electricity (yes, even if you have all of these amenities, yet still have to sleep in a tent with other people in a hot sticky sleeping bag, it’s definitely considered camping) I’ve never understood people who like ‘hiking for fun’ or climbing mountains, just to get to the top to look down, either.
That being said… I LOVE enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, while comfortably lounging on a couch with beautiful pillows and insect resistant candles a’glow ๐
I’d LOVE to invest the money and time into an outdoor living space. And if we’re being practical… I’d even go for just a killer deck with beautiful outdoor furniture and decor. It seems that every year we ‘swear’ we’re going to budget for a little work outside, but then end up spending it on something else. (broken car, medical bills, glasses for kids, etc…) I’m sure that NONE of you can relate to any of that drama…
๐
#3 A Soaking Claw Foot Tub
Ahhhhh (sighhhh) Come to Momma.
Okay, in reality, I could kinda care less if there are pretty claw feet on the bottom, it’s just part of my ‘dream’. I seriously just want a soaking tub… period.
If you’re 4ft 2in and about 90lbs, then please don’t listen to this next statement, because you’ll have no idea what I’m talking about… but, have you ever REALLY tried ‘soaking’ in a standard-sized tub and been successful, if you’re an average, or maybe a little above average sized person?
Yup, that’s what I thought… pretty much impossible, right!? By the time you sit down and get the water in there, you either have the option of sitting straight up and letting the water cover your legs (?)… or slouching down in an uncomfortable, very NON-attractive turtle-like tuck, with feet creeping up the opposite wall, while periodically swishing water over the sticky-out parts of your body that don’t make it into the warm water.
And lets not even TALK about the fact that once you get OUT of the tub (that was once filled to the brim, because you wanted to make sure to get as much of you covered as possible) now strangely seems to only have about 4 inches of water left in it… What the…??? Ugh
And side note: I’m convinced that our builder-grade tubs in this house are WAY smaller then most.
For once, I’d just like to be able to run a bath when I feel sore, sick or cold, and NOT have to worry about covering my ‘extra self’ with a couple of washcloths, to make up for the lack of warm water coverage that I’m missing out on.
Yup! And those are the three top things that I would do right now (within reason), if money and manpower weren’t an option.
๐
Now that you know more then you EVER wanted to about how I wish I could bathe, let’s hear about the areas in YOUR home that you wish you could give a good demo or improvement to!
Is it a new garage, siding for your house or maybe a fence for your yard? Whatever it is, we’re intrigued to know, so get sharin’!
Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil says
Stop! You are totally cracking me up with the bath talk!!! It funny, because it's true!!
Jessica @ Simply A Farmer's Wife says
OMG you always crack me up girl! As an above averaged size woman myself I can totally relate. When we gutted our bathroom I told my husband a soaking tub was in order. I love it! If I hit the lotto I'll hook a sista up! If money was no object for us I'd totally build a 2 car garage with a bonus room & another bathroom. I'm not asking too much huh? I love this post & might even borrow the idea for a blog post myself! Thanks for always keeping it real!
The Brownings says
Oh hun! You are HILARIOUS! I totally LOL'd, sitting here by myself, in the dark, reading blogs at 11:27pm! Hope I didn't wake anyone! I'm right there with ya on the tubs!
xoxo
Anonymous says
Baths in America are very small, after living here for ten years I've almost forgotten how good a soak in the tub is…..we did invest in a deeper tub but we can't go longer, it won't fit in the bathroom ๐
Ruby Jean says
LOL!!!! Okay I probably should be sleeping right now, but instead I find myself laying in bed going through my blog roll and couldn't resist this GREAT read. : ) I Loved the whole bathtub analysis… Because it is do VERY true.. However on my want list… That would be a lovely old Farmhouse… I would even take a fixer upper.. ๐ Okay, I guess it's off to bed now so I can DREAM!!!! ๐
Unknown says
**** or slouching down in an uncomfortable, very NON-attractive turtle-like tuck, with feet creeping up the opposite wall, while periodically swishing water over the sticky-out parts of your body that don't make it into the warm water.
OH my gosh I about died when I read this part! So stinking funny…funny…funny.
I have a pile of money sitting in my bank account that I have been saving to put into my house and I don't know what to do with it. I am so overwhelmed. I don't even know where to start. My walls are bare, I need furniture. I pretty much live in an empty box but I can't decide where to start.
It is so depressing.
Boo!!!
Melodious says
Floors, definitely new floors. We have several cats and they have taken a toll on our carpet. I'd love to have acid-etched, polished concrete on the entire lower level, but it takes a ton of prepwork, and sometimes requires an entirely new slab be poured.
Next, it would be a Garaj Mahal. We have lots of toys; roadbikes, motorcycles, mountain bikes, camping and hunting gear…and there's room in our garage for everything except the cars. I'd love to be able to store all our toys AND keep our cars out of the elements.
Oh, and I'm in love with the farmhouse sinks, too. Love the outdoors, also, but we spend a lot of time outdoors (with the aforementioned toys).
~Love Lis says
Haha! So true. I'm a teeny person and I still feel regular tubs are too small! I'm 5'4 and weigh 105 and it doesn't fit me very well at all. So amen! I DEFINITELY want a claw foot tub in my next home! I've already addressed the issue with the husband so it may just be a reality down the road. ๐
Pajama Crafters says
Oooh! I love all of your choices – especially the farmhouse sink. I'd have to go with a gigantic sunroom/library- perfect for reading and relaxing. (Can I throw in a personal chef and maid while I'm at it?)
Cindy
pajamacrafters.blogspot.com
Unknown says
Baha! You crack me up! I seriously desire to take a bath like nothing else. I mean I take showers daily don't get that mistaken…but I mean soak and take a bath. When your a chub's of a girl like me there's no point to it, the water only comes up halfway! Yet I watch as my husband & 2 boys take baths all the time and my heart aches for the quiet relaxing moment with a cup of tea and a book to sit and bathe. That's why I get so excited when we go to a hotel with a hot tub, it's like a giant bathtub that actually fit's me! ;D
Unknown says
OMG! I was seriously dying of laughter reading number three!! I thought I was the only one who had a problem with these crazy small tubs! You described it so perfectly, down to the last four inches and extra "covering" washcloths! lol… I LOVE THIS! ~Oh, and I'm new to following your blog, but it is so my favorite! You are such a trip and its so much fun to read what you come up with!
McKenzie @ Girl Loves Glam says
Mine would be remodelling our upstairs. It needs the wallpaper that has been painted over, pulled off. The carpet needs pulled up and the hardwood refinished, I would like to make a larger closet, and competely remodel what we like to call the "creepy bathroom"!
Sarah says
Since I've been living in apartments for at least 10 years I'ce had some time to think about this… Apartment living is the WORSE!
#1- A BIG kitchen to host family holidays! I want to do all the cooking, decorating and hosting for our extended family to have sit-down meals.
#2- A closet that houses all the beautiful clothes, shoes and handbags I will eventually invest in.
#3- A killer bathroom with an awesome bathtub and shower SEPERATLY with fantastic water pressure.
These are just 3 things… I could go on and on……..
Ruth says
Haha now I'm not a LOL type girl but I seriously LOL talking about the bath. Yep I relate!! I would love a fire place with mantel and a kitchen and bathrooms update ๐
Anonymous says
Sorry, I don't think about what we can't do – it's what we can do is what I dream about all day! I liked the tub and the sink (we have a Farmhouse double sink and it's from Ikea, and it wasn't too expensive either!)
live and luv says
Oh I've spent many a day daydreaming about the things I'd do to spruce up my little home if only I had the moolah! A fence? Why yes, I would take one of those for my fur babies! I've always dreamed of a sunroom, oh just the thought fills me with dreamy decor ideas. Off that sunroom I'd have a spectacular deck with all the landscape trimmings and super spa-like pool to boot- since we are dreaming, of course! A new "white" kitchen with one of those farmhouse sinks too, please! And all wood floors throughout the house. Lastly, to make the hubs happy we would build him another two car garage for all his man-toys! Whew! Are you sorry you asked, now?!?
Unknown says
I SOOO totally agree with you on the ENTIRE tub thing. I was giggling to myself about the covering yourself up with washclothes…so do that! lol I would close in our carport for our 4 girls to have a play/rec room all to there own (and I'd get those toys out of my house). And because we have such a long driveway, I'd then add another carport off the front of the old one. ๐ Easy DIY right there…don't ya think?!?
The OCD Lifestyle says
I must say, I love all of those ideas. The farmhouse kitchen sink is awesome, and it would make washing dishes a little bit more enjoyable. And, when I say the outdoor living space, I had to do an Ahhhh!!! Great post once again ๐
Happy Wednesday,
Kristin
theocdlifestyle.blogspot.com
Finding Pam says
I want the same three things you want. Funny how like minded people think. I had to laugh about your experience in the tub. This is my problem.
Have a great day.
Angie W says
I have to agree with you. Love the farmhouse sink – I wish I had put one in. Would love a screened in porch to relax on. And the claw foot tub would put me over the edge! All must have's on my some-day to-do list.
Nick and Jayme says
I 110% agree with you about the tub!! Especially right now! I'm nine months pregnant and the thought of a bath sounds great to ease the pressure off my back; but the reality is my belly (and other parts) just stick out and it becomes a big waste of time and hot water.
I would also replace all the flooring in my house to some beautiful hardwood! SWOON!
And lastly I would redo the backyard. Arizona is beautiful right now. I would love to be taking advantage of the weather before it gets to be scorching HOT!
Michelle says
i have to agree with all 3 of your choices! the really sad thing is that i have a screened in porch on my house that has the potential to look just like the one pictured. i just haven't been inclined to make it look like that. it has become such a dumping ground for EVERYTHING! right now it's crammed full of garbage, recycling, snow boots and ski pants, stuff to go to goodwill, dog and cat food and our new baby chicks. maybe this summer i will make it my project! here's a question…maybe i can get your opinion…my screened in porch is between my house and my garage. the walls of the screened in area are actually the siding of both buildings. should they be the same color as the siding of the rest of the house? we are in the process of painting our house and i feel like doing something crazy out there…will my hubs let me get away with it is the real question???
Altaira McComb says
My wishes are exactly the same!!! We have a great patio but it is broken up by a semi-wall type Thing that makes furniture purchasing unnecessarily hard. Our master bath is taken over by a ridiculously large – mostly unusable – linen closet that would beautifully accommodate a claw foot soaking tub. And our kitchen leaves much to be desired. What did we spend our money on – new windows – that had to be replaced twice within 6 months of being installed – fortunately for Andersen windows, it was a problem specific to our Adobe (aka overpriced mud) home. sigh – maybe when the windows are paid off??
Firesparx says
I LOVE my farmhouse sink! It was literally the first thing I bought when we decided to build a house (we bought a sink and built a house around it!) I found it at a bath supply warehouse sale for get this….$200! (I looked up the make and model later and it was a $1000 sink) It even is a double sink so it fits our needs perfectly. Only downside is that metal items leave gray marks (like on your dinner plates).
I've seen farmhouse sinks used in laundry rooms too, so maybe if you can't convince Cason to put one in the kitchen maybe you can get it more easily into the laundry room…
The Sheridans says
Oh I love you, you make me laugh so hard! I agree 100%! There are 2 reasons we bought our builder grade condo…the really awesome deep soaking tub, and the door bell…yes, the door bell. My husband is a Gerd (Geek/Nerd) the door bell on this place is that awesome. I sympathize with your love of farmhouse sinks, yes my own sink works perfectly, but lets face it, farmhouse sinks although harder to care for are just prettier. That leads me to what I would love, to bring the top of my awkwardly tall fire place (this thing is 6ft tall in a 8ft tall room) all the way up to the ceiling and put a gorgeous mantle on it. Second buy the largest capacity washer and dryer and faboo out my laundry room (I hate laundry). That's it, I don't even need a third.
Judy says
Ditto on the outdoor space (either sun room or screened in) so I can sit and feel the warmth and the sun without sitting out there getting sun burned and a soaking tub where I can really soak and where I don't have to scrub all the kid dirt away before getting in. Add to it an awesome finished basement where either the kids can go or us parents can go and hide away from them!
Monica Johnson says
We have a great back yard that could use that handsome man from Yard Crashers to create into a family oasis that would be perfect for entertaining! The inside of our house lacks the space to have people over and entertain comfortably.
Mary Kate says
I would install unfinished granite counter tops in our kitchen (so, so beautiful), buy new rocking chairs for our front porch, and a big, comfy sectional for our family room.
I would also love a fenced in yard so that I don't have to walk my dogs at ungodly hours of the morning ๐
Carrie says
Hardwood floors and a top notch stove. Someday.
Unknown says
I just had to comment. I laughed so hard about the tub. I have been fighting my builder grade tub for 16 years now. We just finished remodeling our bath and I now have a soaking tub. Only those of us who have experienced the covering yourself with wash cloths to keep warm could understand how heavenly this new tub is. I knew you would understand. I hope someday for you to experience it too.
Brooke
Elmer says
You described my feelings about the outdoors/camping/hiking exactly. I get embarrassed admitting I have those feelings, especially living in Utah. People look at me like I'm un-American or something. haha But I totally agree with you about needing outdoor living space! My dream is to have a huge wrap-around porch where I can sit out on a rocking chair and enjoy the beautiful Utah scenery. ๐
Jake and Caylie says
I live in an apartment right now, but I TOTALLY agree on the bath tub thing! I take baths almost everyday and I wish I could actually soak my WHOLE body. Sometimes I even flip and lay on my tummy to get the top part of me warm… not a pretty picture lol
Stephanie says
Oh my gosh! Yes on the tub! When I was pregnant with my twins, my legs didn't even seem to make it into the water- just my butt. And forget about my huge belly or my sore back!
And I LOVE that farmhouse sink!
Amber says
We have a half acre on this house and seriously if money and manpower were no issue we'd have a huge swimming pool and hot tub and an awesome patio with wrap around BBQ serving areas…and a basketball court. And I could go on and on….
Lisa says
I'll fight ya for that farmhouse sink. I LOVE that.
Unknown says
I too would love a nice outdoor space. We've been slowly working on our backyard, but a back porch is high on my list of wants!!!
Julie says
Omg…you had me laughing out loud reading your description of trying to soak in the tub…but, I was laughing because I can relate to every single word you wrote…lol!
As for my wish list, my top three big ticket items would be to side our house, replace all of our windows and replace every square inch of flooring! Unfortunately, looks like it will be a while before all of those are accomplished. So for now, I'll have to be content with things like painting my walls and replacing window coverings.
Candi says
My top three things would be…
#1 – Paint our exterior brick white! Right now it is some sort of blonde and this pinkish-salmon color mixed brick. It's gross.
#2 – Extend our garage out about 10-15 feet and create extra storage inside.
#3 – Finish all of our interior remodel projects!!!! (that's like 1,098 in one) Oh well…its a fantasy question so my answer counts, right? lol
I enjoy reading your blog, btw and never commented before. So, hi! ๐
Have a good one.
Candi
{annie_loo} @ The Farrar Four says
The bathtub…HYSTERICAL!!!! That's sooooo funny! I have a hubby in plumbing sales so a farmhouse sink is in my next kitchens future! Clawfoot…doubt it…but BIG HUGE SOAKING tub….YES MAAM!!!!!
Unknown says
I'm totally with you on all three (although I do like camping and hiking up mountains to look down). I love to take baths. An apartment I had once had a long claw foot tub and it was divine. That was my favorite bathroom of all time.
{northern cottage} says
are we twins??? you crack me up so bad! our last house had the same tub problem….it was WEIRD – and that was before i had kids & was 'petite' – HA!! your wish list is exactly same as mine! YUM for all those images – thank you for sharing and making me laugh today honey! xo
NorthernCottage.net
Sarah M. says
A new kitchen! Right now I have a tiny galley cave that only allows one person at time to be in there. The entrance to the cave is only wide enough to let the fridge door open because across from it is a brick chimeny that runs from the basement to the roof and it's not even functional anymore. The oven is so small it can't hold a turkey and the door is broken. All the drawer fronts are breaking off and they've been fixed so many times that they are no longer fixable. I have dreams about my large new kitchen. It's white with marble countertops and lots of natural light. It's a beautiful happy place. One day I'll have it. One day.
Mindy says
1- push the whole back wall of my house (+ foundation) back 3 feet.
2- move my kitchen sink so it overlooks my back yard, instead of a wall.
3- somehow get rid of my back yard neighbors….
Sam | Away She Went says
I'm not a camping person either. So, I totally get what you are saying. You'll probably like this pin:
pinterest.com/pin/217720963205185391/
The Clanton Gang says
I am seriously LOLing at your bath experience! I have the same problem when I take baths. So not relaxing when you spend you whole time worried about the "sticky-out parts." Thanks for the laugh!
Unknown says
I love your list- I long for many of those things too~ Especially the outdoor living space. I had to laugh about your description of the soaking tub though. When we were remodeling (TOTAL gut job!) the upstairs of our home, I was 9 months preggo when it came time to pick out the tub…. yep! I got an EXTRA deep/long tub! I was sitting in all the tubs and barely able to get out of them… I'm sure other people were staring, but I didn't care- I wanted a good tub! I never regretted it!
If I was to dream, I'd just like a new house… with a garage.
Jody says
An outdoor living space, all the way! With an almost three year old boy we spend lots of time in our back yard. This year we are finally pouring a concrete patio and buying/making some fabulous furniture in which to sit and relax.
Thanks for the laugh on the tub soaking visual. While I don't have a builder grade tub (I'm assuming you wouldn't call a 50 year old tub 'builder grade'), what I do have is certainly on the small size. I would love to be able to stretch my long legs in a hot, soapy bath for once, as opposed to propping them up on the opposing wall.
Cheri says
FYI … we have a hot tub for soaking … and love it! Everything gets covered in there!
If $$ were no object:
wood floors-everywhere; all new furniture in LR, TV Room & bedroom; guest house, pool house, adding a master bedroom.
Emily {Mrs. Bs Hive} says
OMG I am literally laughing so hard right now! Everything you said about the bathtub is SO TRUE! HAHAHA!
Eric and Manda says
You made me completely homesick with the clawfoot tub. My dad found one at a junk yard many many moons ago that he repainted and fixed up (complete with the claw feet too) and installed it in our basement bathroom that is the spa like bathroom. Everytime I go home I grab a great book, a good drink, candles and go in that bathroom for at least a couple of hours. Junk yards, auctions, estate sales etc are great places to find claw foot bath tubs by the way. ๐
Margaret says
You about made me blow my morning milk out my nose with your bath tub description I was laughing so hard! I'm six feet tall so I can only soak half of body at a time, its the worst. I would have a fenced in backyard with a playset for my kids and would put a covering over the patio so we could enjoy sitting outside in the rain and here in Seattle it rains a lot.
Anonymous says
Oh my word! You totally had me laughing out loud about the bathtub situation! We have one of those smaller than average, builder's grade tubs in our bathroom too. A few days ago I was sicker than a dog and just wanted nothing more than to soak in a hot bathtub. Well, let's just say my legs got a nice relaxing soak. My husband brought me a cup of tea to enjoy and said, "Our next house is going to have a huge soaking tub in it!" Oh how I love that man! So, I'm with you on #3…I understand and I feel your pain!
Caitlin says
LOVE that farmhouse sink and I'm totally with you on the luxurious outdoor living room. Making one (on a budget) for our back porch is one of my goals for the summer. There's so much great stuff out there but it is SO expensive!!
… but we are lucky enough to have a sweet soaking tub already installed in the master bathroom ๐
CareyCottage says
Hate to be a debbie downer, BUT. We had a huge soaking tub at our last house (big enough for two). I had to climb inside of it to clean it. There wasn't enough hot water for a long winter soak, so a tankless water heater is a necessity (and there were only two of us). UGH. Also, you will probably have to reinforce the floor if you decide on one. We built our house and i WISH I would have gone with the regular old clawfoot tub. Lesson Learned.
Sold the house and I sure do NOT miss it!
CareyCottage says
P.s. the house we decided to purchase is a 1930's english tudor with no updates…love it. I have noticed, however, that the bathtub is rather narrow..so I'm going to have to stick to this diet or I won't fit (and I'm average sized!!! I'm guessing the lady of the house was a size TWO? Double UGH!!!!
CareyCottage says
Can you stand one more post, lol? We built a beautiful deck with pergola and our neighbors installed a paver patio. Yes, they spent $30,000 to our $10,000…BUT while they're lounging around their patio, we had to scrub the deck, power wash the deck and seal the deck. Next time around, I'm going for the patio. And those trex decks? Still a heckuva lot of maintenance. I don't think I really need a patio, just a nice hammock under my trees with my *pool wanna be boy* bringing me cold cocktails. Now that's livin'!
Anonymous says
Hahaha, I was literally laughing out loud at your description of trying to take a bath in the same kind of tub we have because I feel the exact same way. I can only laugh when I was told I should relax in a nice bath during my pregnancy. Yeah, my pregnant belly sticking up out of the water and my 5'9'' body all scrunched up in there. Would LOVE a huge garden tub in our home too!
Maureen says
I would love to put down pavers off my deck & build a stone fire pit & have nice chairs out there.
Stephanie says
We'd totally redo our master bath. We have a giant corner tub but not enough hot water to fill it, and a teeny tiny shower. We'd like a regular tub (or maybe soaking tub after totally relating to your description above) and a gi-normous shower! But, like you, don't see that happening in this house.