Luxury Bathing: A 1938 Cinderella Bathtub, Plus Knob Upgrades For 2 Laundry Chutes

Welcome to the 814th Metamorphosis Monday! I’m back in Georgia and work will start back up again in the kitchen next Monday. I’m glad to have a week to get caught up before work begins again. Hopefully, they will be done this next week with the painting and the rebuilding of the desk.

A week or so ago I shared how I had the unique and unusually-shaped tub in the Dollhouse master bath reglazed. I could tell it had been reglazed before but it was looking pretty rough, so it was time to have it done again. When a tub is reglazed, it normally lasts around 5-10 years before it needs to be done again.

Bathtub Refinishing Results

 

Thanks to Barbara who left a comment on that post, I now know that the tub in my master bath is the original tub to the Dollhouse. These tubs were popular back in the 1930s and into the 1940s. Barbara wrote, “I loved seeing your Cinderella bathtub reglazed. I had one in a 1937 ranch home that is 5,000 sq ft. It had 5 master-sized bedrooms with a bathroom included. The bathtubs are extra long, except for the Cinderella tub which is in excellent shape.” Barbara left a link to THIS article, which shares great information about Cinderella bathtubs. I found this vintage ad below on eBay and purchased it.

Cinderella Bathtub, 1930s and 1940s, Vintage Bathtub

 

Here’s another ad for the tub that I found on eBay and purchased. I am thinking of framing these and hanging them in my bathroom. All of the photos that I’ve found online of the American Standard Neo-Angle Bathtub, nicknamed the Cinderella bathtub, show that the tub was available in the colors blue, pink, and yellow. That makes me think that my particular tub was probably blue originally since that’s the color of the wall and floor tiles. The ad describes how the tub is perfect for bathing little ones since it has two built-in seats.

Cinderella Bathtub, Neo Angle Bath, American Standard

 

This tub was considered a luxury tub back in the day. Mine has a shower head installed above which is great since I prefer taking a shower over a bath. I wonder if bathrooms had showers back then, or if they only had bathtubs.

 

Laundry Chute Knob Update: A small update that I’ve been wanting to make ever since moving into the Dollhouse is replacing the knobs on the two laundry chute doors. The small laundry chute door in the master bath can be seen standing open in the photo below.

 

Here’s where the other laundry chute is located—here in the half bath.

 

The knobs were wobbly because they had overly long screws holding them on. This was the knob on the chute door in the 1/2 bath.

 

And this was the knob on the door in the master bath.

 

I replaced both knobs with pretty brushed-nickel knobs that go well with the other finishes in both bathrooms. I used short screws that were the perfect size for the thickness of the chute door, so now when I’m dropping clothes down the chute, there’s no unsightly screw sticking out, ready to snag my clothes. They are tight and sturdy, not wobbly like the other knobs were. It’s a small improvement that makes me happy each time I drop something down the chute. (Knobs are available in 5 different finishes here:  Knobs.)

 

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Comments

  1. My mom had this tub in her bathroom when I was a kid in the early 60’s. It looked so luxurious but I remember her saying it was hard to clean without getting into it. Her’s was installed in an alcove so there was just one side accessible. It was just like the baby blue one in the ad!

    • Oh, I love that, Janet! Mine is installed that way, too—into an alcove and accessible from just one side. I wonder how old your home was, was it from the 30s or 40s? I’m not sure how long they made these tubs.

      • She was probably in her late 30’s. (Born in 1932). It’s probably easier now because our cleaning products are better, but she was never really a “clean freak” so I’m not sure how hard she tried! Hahaha.

      • I misread your comment. The house was def late 1940’s or early 50’s because it was a mid-century modern ranch with terrazzo floors and walls of windows.

  2. I love the vintage Cinderella bathtub! Thanks Susan~

  3. You could impale someone on those first screws-just saying!

  4. Love the idea of framing those ads! Such a charming house with all these details! You were so fortunate to find it. Around here the flippers are buying the older homes and making them look like every other house! It’s so sad.

  5. Our tub days are over. We remodeled and put in large showers instead. Kept worrying about slipping when getting in and out of the tub. No worries now. But I love the look of your tub. Love your tile and the laundry chutes!

  6. Love your Cinderella tub. You were wondering if baths had showers when the Neo-Angle tub was offered. The advertisement picture you posted shows the “Dad” taking a shower so I guess a shower option was available back in the day.

  7. Framing and hanging the pictures is a cute idea! Seeing the picture of the blue tub, it does seem to be the same blue as your tile. I wonder if glazers even offer colors like that these days? It would be fun if they did, but the white looks great. I also love the little seats – perfect for little ones, just as the ad says.

    Remember your house tours, Susan? Wouldn’t you dearly love to have had a tour of Barb’s 5,000 square foot ranch house from that time period? I know I would. I know it’s probably silly, but it seems to me all the prettiest and sometimes most practical homes must have been built around the 30s and 40s because when I watch old movies from that time period, they are gorgeous and always my favorites.

    I smile every time I see those little laundry chute doors. They are so cute. I keep thinking, could you even fit something like a pair of men’s carhart’s through that little door? Maybe not, but fortunately, your clothing fits just fine.

    I also wonder if any of the former owners are following along to see what sort of changes you are making. How fun that would be – to leave a beloved house but still be able to see it as it is embraced and lived in by a new family. Thanks for the fun update, Susan. I hope you have a great week.

    • I think they do, I’m pretty sure they can glaze a tub in almost any color that you like. I’m kinda glad it was already white, I like it that color. I know the chute doors look small, but even big sheets will fit through. You just stick them in long ways. It’s best to not bunch stuff up because it could get hung up if it’s a really big item like a fat towel and you bunch it up. But as long as you stick it in end first, things go down great.
      Pam, Barb replied in a comment below and linked out to where the home can still be seen online. So check out her link for a tour!

  8. Franceil Parde says

    Oh, do I miss a…laundry chute…one of the seversl apartments I lived in during the 60s had…a LAUNDRY CHUTE!! What a concept…plus living on the 4th floor…no elevator…WINNER, WINNER!! franki

  9. Oh, how I love those vintage ads! Perfect for hanging in your pretty bathroom!

  10. Those ads you purchased will be perfect framed in the bathroom. Love that.

  11. Your classic bathtub looks so amazing! Thanks for having us over, Susan. Have a great day.

  12. GREAT ad finds and def frame them – how perfect for that sweet bathroom and cute as a button tub. Love that idea! I have never seen a tub like that before. And I am so glad you are doing such a good job to respect those awesome original vintage things in that DH. ♥

    • I know, I hadn’t either. It was such a surprise when I pulled the shower curtain back the first day I toured the home. Thanks, Michele—it’s such a unique home so I hope to take care it for the next generations who live here.
      XXX

  13. Loving your “adventures” in the Doll House…
    I grew up in a house built in the 30s – 40s with two bathrooms that had tubs
    with showers.
    The house was being built by a fellow teacher back in the day and when my mom, young and single saw the plans, she remarked, “What about a broom closet in the kitchen???” Many years later when we moved in she was so glad her friend had listened and put in the closet. It was so handy…

    • That is so neat that they listened and followed her suggestion! This house has a very skinny closet downstairs that I think of as a broom closet, but when you look inside, there are hanging hooks, like for coats, everywhere. I’ll have to share it in a post. I bet it was great for a family with a lot of children, they probably hung their coats there every day when they returned home. It’s really dark inside, they painted very dark colors in a lot of the closets in this home back in the day, but I’ll try to take a photo of it to share in a future post.

  14. My Dad had a plumbing business in the Texas panhandle in the 30s-40s. Around 1945 he remodeled/added an addition to the house. My Mom’s bathroom had this very tub in yellow. . along with the water closet and sink with chrome legs. Loved that tub!!

    • Oh, that is awesome! I love that she went with the sunny yellow color that I saw in some ads for this tub. What a happy bathroom that must have been…I love the yellow!

  15. Elaine Woodford says

    I was thinking how hard it would be to clean the tub. You’ll have to let us know how you do that! It’s beautiful tho! I loved the original knob for the clothes chute, but I understand how you would like something more modern. As for framing the advertisements….I say go for it. I think they would make a wonderful addition to your bathroom. I love old advertisements! I have a relative who has framed old Good Housekeeping ads, designed by Jessie Willcox Smith. Thanks for sharing the work and updates on your new house. It’s been fun!

    • They advertise it as being easy to clean since you can sit on the seats to do that. lol Since it has been reglazed, I have to be careful which products I use. I will rarely take a bath, probably only if I have to for some reason. Oh, now I want to look up those Good Housekeeping ads!

  16. Roxanne Bernard says

    Love your tub and especially its name! I love a good bubble bath with a decorating magazine and a glass of bubbly!!

    • Roxanne, do you have a secret for keeping the water warm? I always find it cools off way too fast. I once knew someone who had a claw foot tub and she would bring a heater into her bathroom, turn it on, and point it right at the empty tub for a few minutes before ever running water into it. She said it helped heat the tub which helped keep the water warmer for a longer period.

      • Roxanne Bernard says

        When we built our house, i happened to be at the site when my soaking tub had just been set in place and rough framed for the tile decking. I picked up all the loose bat insulation and stuffed it in between the tub and the lumber. My water stays HOT a good hour or so! I would love to take that tub out now and put in a claw foot like the one we had when I was a child in the 50s!!

  17. I thought that was a Cinderella bathtub, but wasn’t 100%. I love it and fun fact, did you know Elvis Presley has one in his mansion as well? He does, little Lisa Marie had her baths in it. Love the new knobs on the laundry chutes, they look so much better-match the style of the rooms better. I am loving everything you are doing with the Doll House! Hugs, Brenda

    • Oh my gosh, that’s amazing! Thanks so much for sharing that, Brenda! Now I’d love to see that bathroom and tour the home.
      Thanks! I do like these knobs so much better.

  18. Attention to details! That’s why I love following you! Nothing misses your keen eye….even a nob on the laundry chute door! (I would have changed it too). I love laundry chutes…. we had a large one when I was a youngster and it was the best place for hiding when playing hide and seek with friends who didn’t know about it….just spred arms and legs out like spiderman and scoot down! It went from the kitchen to a standing built hamper so if you fell, it was into a pile of dirty clothes. Have a great weekend.

    • Thanks so much, Toni! I LOVE that story! That is hysterical! You would have to be super tiny to fit inside these chutes. I’m not sure a child could fit inside. If I didn’t have claustrophobia, that would be so much fun to do as a child and wiggle your way down the chute. My son and Dil’s chutes end in sort of a long narrow wood cage like thing that’s located right next to the washing machine. Mine ends in one of the little extra rooms downstairs. I placed a really tall basket under the opening to help catch the clothes. Funny story. When I had a plumber visit recently, I was telling him about a pretty big gap in the wall behind where the chute ends. He peered in and pulled all kinds of clothing out of there from pants to underwear to socks, so a lot of clothes disappeared into that hole over the years. I guess no one ever noticed. I need to have someone board up that area so I don’t loose any clothes!

      • How interesting! I bet some kids got in trouble over the years for losing their clothes! Susan, that causes me to wonder. Do your little doors share the same chute, with the lower just opening at a different location than the upper? Or do they start in different locations and merge? I think the idea of a laundry chute is so much fun and makes a lot of sense. Toni’s story is hilarious.

  19. Susan, how cool you were able to find those advertisements and can frame them for your bathroom. I would do the exact same thing!

    For those interested in seeing the ranch home I lived in for 8 years, participated in the remodeling and created a memory album of photos, paint cards, history, etc for future home owners, the website is still up: https://ranchinarizona.jimdofree.com/

    Please note, I created the timeline you will read on the website, except for one thing that was added about the family fleeing to South America because of Hitler- this is a flat out lie. I am still friends with the two brothers and their wives who lived in the home for the first 5 years. Their family is the original homeowners. Their father, aunt and mother, built the home on a 640 acre ranch. The oldest brother was born in the home.

    This home was run by the 5th homeowner (a former boyfriend of mine), as a very successful bed and breakfast, hosting celebrities, recording artists, movie producers and directors, etc. Well before my time.

    One more thing: the Cinderella tub had a shower too. I found cleaning it was easy because I could sit on the one seat and clean it.

    I do love old homes. My husband and I remodeled (updated) our current home that was built in 1975. I love it.

    • Thanks for that link, Barbara! What a beautiful home and so nice and big! I love the views and those deer peeking in were adorable! I bet that pool was refreshing in the heat, it looked so inviting!

    • Thank you so much, Barb. That was fun to see. I love the wood ceilings and the avocado green stove hood was a hoot. The evening pictures were so pretty, too.
      There were even a couple caught at the blue hour. As Susan said, the deer peeking in at the breakfast window were cute. They knew what was up! Thanks again for the tour.

    • Oh, and thanks for the info about the shower. You know, I really do think the older homes were built better. Some of the homes today are just thrown up overnight. I think the only way to build a home today is to hire a specific builder that you know and trust that still tries to do things the right way.

  20. Susan,
    I hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!!
    Thanks so much for hosting!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are enjoying your week and you are doing well…
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

  21. Love that tub!! Can you sometime show a view of the tub from farther away maybe from the door?

    • Sure, I’m back in GA now, but when I’m next there, I’ll do that. I meant to take a photo before I left without that glove on the faucet from where the tub had just been reglazed.

  22. Your Cinderella tub is so cool! If you’re interested in more information on them, go to retrorenovation.com and search for Cinderella tub.

  23. Oh yes, mat and frame the advertisements! Thank you for keeping the Cinderella tub! What a wonderful feature for the dollhouse.

  24. Hi Susan,
    Love that tub, it is so cute, and think it’s great you kept it. Also love that Autumn blouse and thanks for reminding me about cold water creek we used
    to have a store years back but don’t know of any near us now. Your house is really coming out cute………looking forward to seeing the kitchen. Thanks for hosting as always. Blessings on that kitchen and YOU
    Nellie

  25. Love the idea of framing the ads about the Cinderella tub. If it was only available in pastels it doesn’t seem very “manly” lol. Guess that’s why it’s called Cinderella! Like your choice of new knobs (but I also like the old knobs too. Maybe you can repurpose them.) What happened to the back of the master chute door? Wow. And why didn’t they cut that long screw off? I can see snagging your hand and your clothes. Funny about the lost clothes! Back when I had a subscription to Good Housekeeping I saved a page from a Phyllis Diller quote and framed it. “Housekeeping Can’t Kill You, But Why Take the Chance”. It has an ironing board and iron and the cord of the iron spells out the quote. Phyllis was something else!

    • The doors on both chutes in my house and in my son’s home are metal. I guess that’s how they made them back in 1938. They must have started to look rough over the years since someone painted them, they are painted in my son’s home, too. The paint job on both of the doors isn’t great and it has apparently, chipped over the years. When I get around to having some of the interior rooms painted, I’ll have those redone. There’s a ton of painting that needs to be done in this house. A ton!
      Ha! Phyllis was always so funny!

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