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The Ladybird Bath and Vanity Unit

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As bathroom month comes to a close and we think ahead to Smallest, Coolest, here's a bathroom idea that maximizes a small space by combining the sink and the tub.

 
 
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It works by employing a removable sink insert that empties into the tub, which is in turn angled to help drainage. The lip of the tub, and thus the edge of the sink, is tall enough that it comes within range of the height of a standard sink basin, about 32".

The sink reminds us of tub covers we've seen in Japanese bathrooms. The design could also facilitate greywater use, if you use a mild, plant friendly hand soap.

Images: Yanko Design

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tubs, toilets, showers & sinks, green ideas, personal health

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Comments (13)

Let's see... dark, damp, airless... I would imagine that the bottom of the tub gets real skanky after a while. Can you say used toothpaste and sputum? Eww!

posted by hejiranyc on March 25th 2008 at 11:30am
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If you're bathing every day I would imagine that none of that stuff would build up. If you only bath every once in a while, yeah it would probably get nasty...

That style of bath tub is surprisingly comfortable though. I imagine using the toilet sink that is popular in Japan would be easier though.

posted by geek details on March 25th 2008 at 11:34am
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Why? Why???

posted by pantzini on March 25th 2008 at 11:48am
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While I think the sink/tub itself is clever - nobody is going to bathe in cold, used water...

posted by bepsf on March 25th 2008 at 11:51am
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Guys, I don't think they intend for you to reuse the dirty sink water in your bath. The sink's water would rinse straight down the tub's drain when you wash your hands. You'd fill it with fresh water to take a bath.

posted by Molly Margarita on March 25th 2008 at 11:59am
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I'll just say that things go in my sink, and down the drain of my sink, that I wouldn't want in my bathtub. I'll leave it at that.

posted by briankoenig on March 25th 2008 at 12:06pm
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Unless there is a hose from the sink drain directly to the tub drain, you will have to clean the tub every time you want to use it. Otherwise all the stuff that goes down the dink drain will be splashing around the bottom of the tub -- ewww!

Cute, but impractical.

posted by Mid-C Frank on March 25th 2008 at 12:15pm
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Molly--

I agree with you, but Danielle would have us believe otherwise with this statement:

"The design could also facilitate greywater use, if you use a mild, plant friendly hand soap."

posted by bepsf on March 25th 2008 at 1:16pm
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Dang. I'm looking at this going..."hmmm. cute. But I can see getting stuck in it."

posted by shari on March 25th 2008 at 1:59pm
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Hi bepsf — by facilitating greywater use, I meant what greywater is typically used for, such as watering plants, rinsing outdoor areas and equipment, et cetera — definitely not to take a bath in.

That part of the post could have been clearer, my apologies!

posted by Dani on March 25th 2008 at 2:55pm
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what is the SIZE of that thing? maybe some beer cans could fit in there but not me. i've seen soaking tubs that are larger.

posted by Kat1 on March 26th 2008 at 5:26am
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I think this would make sense for the occasional bather. If you have to wipe down the bathtub before taking a bath anyway, this would work fine.

posted by quercus on March 26th 2008 at 5:36am
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I take a bath maybe twice a year - it's showers the rest of the time - so I could see how this might work, even if you did have to clean out the tub. They should make a version for the elderly with a door in front.

I'm sure you could run a pipe from the bottom of the sink to the bathtub drain, if there's not one already. Seems like that would be a pretty minimal hack.

posted by sunspot42 on March 26th 2008 at 4:00pm
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