Caitbee,

I just ordered a V&A tub, the Shropshire. I ordered the 60" due to my space limitations and sat in the 66" on the showroom floor. It does not have a rough stone feel to it, but perhaps a polished marble stone feel to it. It is volcanic limestone mixed with resin, so the feel is not like a tumbled stone or anything like that.
I don't recall if it is cool to the touch like a marble or granite would be. It is a luxurious feel and did not scratch easily. My spouse and I both got into it with our shoes on. But like any polished stone or even acrylic, you could scratch it if pressed hard enough.
I did not happen to see the Cabrits on any showroom floor but then, I was looking at traditional clawfoots. I did see the Ravello and Napoli tubs though and sat in them as well. Very nice. The Cabrits ls a big tub, at 68" but unless you are really short, I think you would be fine.
I am 5 feet 51/2 inches tall and the 66" let me extend my legs all the way out while resting on the back of the tub (Shropshire) My feet didn't quite touch the end. My DH got in it and his knees were bent some. He is 5' 11". The 60', my knees will bend a little bit.
My understanding, and in looking again just now at the spec sheet for my tub, the over flow and drain holes are already drilled. The only thing to drill would be the tub filler, should I want it tub mounted, but I do not.
The feet come included in the price of the tub. The oil rubbed bronze feet, at least for the Shropshire, are discontinued.
The drain assembly is priced separately. I don't know where it ships from in the states but shipping was another $170 to Texas.
The Shropshire is also light weight, at 122lb.
I am excited about our V&A tub but it will not be installed until the second or third week of December.
I went to 3 big showrooms in Dallas and Fort Worth, TX looking at free standing tubs and the V&A baths were by far superior to acrylic and a fraction of the weight of cast iron.
Hope that helps you some. Good luck

Please, Caitbee, let me know how things went with the bathtub. We consider purchasing a Cabrits bath also. Did you buy it? do you use it? What's it like?! Philippe

Yes, Philippe, we did buy it and we do like it very much. I will try to figure out how to upload photos for you tomorrow. It's a very unique piece, beautiful to look at. It can scratch, but so can acrylic baths and it's definitely far harder than them. The two waste pipes require some thought and a good plumber to fit them, and we didn't bother with an overflow which would require someone willing to drill into the end of the bath to attach the overflow kit, which none of our work men were willing to do, plus it looks v clunky on the end of an otherwise beautifully streamlined bathroom centre-piece. It's comfortable for me to sit in, but I would say if you are tall, e.g. 6ft plus and you are looking for a deep shoulder covering soak, you may be a little disappointed. My OH is 6ft, and finds it hard to get his shoulders under, else his knees may be out of the water. It's not a huge problem, and in our old house with standard bath, he had a worse problem, but he reckons the Cabrits could be another 6 inches longer for the taller person.

It's very easy to clean, just rinse it down with warm water after the water has run out. Also it holds its heat for ages, so we rarely empty it immediately as we have heat recovery in the house and it warms up our bathroom for the evening! That's ok I guess as our kids are old enough not to drown immediately in the bath if they fell in, bear in mind it's low to the ground, and a young child could tip in easily enough. Also we like to fill it with hot water first to heat up the acrylic/limestone before adding cool water to temper it for use, and again, that wouldn't be safe with smaller children underfoot due to the scald risk.

We didn't have the cash for the V&A freestanding tap solution, so we went with a budget version, which is fine if a little fiddly. You have no choice but to use the V&A wastes. We have the flip disc version (don't know the technical name). They work well, but if we flatten them fully it hurts the back of our fingers off the waste rim to open them, so we have to remember to not push them home. Perhaps we should be using silicone grease on them to prevent this, but life's short! We really love how thin the bath is in comparison to other free standing baths. The material is strong enough to be self supporting because of this composite material.

We put two kids in the bath at a time, and they have an end each, and they love to watch the water go out the two plug holes. Occasionally we have a big spillage to sort out if they decide to slide in the bath as the water will roll out over the edges very easily when it's fairly full. Splosh. Also, we have to have bath mats in the bath for them as they will slip on the curved surfaces, so we just put in two standard rectangular ones which overlap a bit but help to reduce falls in the bath. An adult would benefit from one, and also a bath cushion can be helpful for under the small of your back as there is a deep curve in the larger end of the bath, which I find a small bath cushion makes up for perfectly.

We also have the Cabrits basins, and love them. In all, our bathroom is one of our favourite rooms, and the V&A items certainly contribute to that feeling.

I managed to get to a show room which had a V&A section with a Cabrits in it before buying, and I would recommend that you do that too if you can at all. Our local bathroom supplier was then able to order the bath from V&A for us, and they did us a much better deal than the city based supplier. Probably because they had all of our other sanitary ware business too they were able to do this.

In short, if you have the money to do it, I doubt you will regret it, we certainly love it.

What a wonderful and comprehensive review, CaitBee! Thanks. This is extremely helpful to us, certainly because apparently our situation is comparable to yours: children out of the house and grandchildren every now an than (?). Looking forward to pictures of the bath, with or without your shoulders under water :)

Hi Philippe,

I am about to order a V&A vetralla, I have not been able to find any reviews on those free standing tubs. Can you let me know how are you liking yours ? Thanks

Bea from Texas

tennisanyone17 - Did you order the Vetralla? Would love your thoughts.

Hi Rose, yes I did get Vetralla, no overflow we got a special drain from V&A, but the installation is happening tomorrow. The bath tub looks great, I didn't like the way that acrylic tubs are looking and feeling. Removed a big corner Jacuzzi tub and tried to minimize use of plastic in my bathroom . I will update you once it gets installed and possibly upload some photos. Its taking really long to do this renovation . I did try to sit in a tub, and it was fine for me, comfortable... but I am 5,3" not a tall person.

For those who installed V&A, what special parts did you have to order to install?

We got a drain from V&A that allows you to not have to drill a overflow hole V40 intelli drain, it costs somewhere around $300, it is a knew kind of a drain.

Hi! Anyone have issues with the drain from Victoria and Albert? We ordered the Vetralla with no overflow. In the process of installing and we are having issues with the KIT 40 intelliwaste drain not having enough clearance with my joists. Did anyone have to make any modifications to the ptrap drain? Any installation advice?

Does anyone have any experience with the Napoli tub?

@miches13 I don't but had the vetralla (no overflow) installed with the new KIT 40 intellidrain and used the Kit 70 so the installation was really easy. I've been really happy with the vetralla and the company has great customer service.

J Ace, I am just about to order the Vetralla with no overflow. Do you find the height of the tub low? I don't have a lot of room in the bathroom I am remodeling and liked the fact it is slightly under 5 feet in length and the width is perfect, as well. Just worried about the height. I'm also planning to use the KIT 40 Intellidrain.

@Aline G here's a picture of our vetralla with the Brizo, Jason Wu freestanding tub filler for your reference. The height seems fine to me. Also, the plumber found that using the Kit 70 with the newly designed Kit 40 intellidrain made the installation a breeze. Customer Service is really helpful to if you have any questions on install of the drain.

@tennisanyone17 @ J Ace How do you all enjoy the Intellidrain? Curious to see if it is noisier when draining. Any info on the drain would be great. Thinking of installing it with our Vetralla.

Has anyone purchased the VA Vetralla 2, perhaps tennisanyone17? Would love your thoughts on your purchase, I'm short, but DH is 6'4"...

@hamsad I don’t find it any noisier than a regular drain. I’ve been really happy w our tub and drain. I mentioned above that our plumber found that using the Kit 70 with the newly designed Kit 40 (straight tailpiece) intellidrain made the installation a breeze. I also like not having a visible overflow.

Hi - how is the tub working out? Did you have to buy both drain kits for the install?

Do you like the Brizo faucet?

We are looking at both. Thank you!

@paulnihill- Tub is great! We purchased and installed both the kit 70 and the new kit 40 (straight tailpiece). Our tub was installed on a raised foundation.

Also, LOVE Brizo. We used Brizo for our entire house and have been happy with every single piece. If you ever have any issues or questions, Brizo customer service is amazing!

Thank you 🙏

We bought the V&A Toulouse; love it.

@J Ace do you mind me asking what Brizo sink faucets that you used? Did you use the matching Odin or Jason Wu? Thanks.

Thank you tennisanyone17 and happy new year! One more question for anyone please...what do you recommend as the minimum space needed between the tub and back wall if using a floor or wall mounted fixture? Trying to decide between the two.
Thank you!

Ruby-

You want to make sure that the end of the spout is well inside the tub. My wall-mounted spout sticks out several inches over the inside rim of the tub, but I still get splashback outside the tub when the water hits the slanted inside tub wall.

@paulnihill we used the matching Jason Wu/Odin. I believe the difference bw Odin and Jason Wu/Odin is the Jason Wu collection is offered in Matte Black.

This is what we ordered:

2x Widespread Lavatory Faucet:
65375LF-BLLHP

2x Widespread Lavatory High Lever Handles
HL5375-BL

Showerhead:
87375-BL

16” Shower Arm and Flange:
RP71648BL

Thermostatic Valve with Integrated 3-Function Diverter (with stops):
T75575-BL 

Handshower:
85521-BL

Tub Filler:
T70175-BL (with stops)

We have been happy with everything. Hope that helps :)

Question about the Intellidrain kit 36 or 40 - any issues with malfunctions , slow drain, water pressure triggering the drain to open too soon? Has anyway used the silicon stopped provided by V&A to overcome the drain and allow for a deeper soak? - does it work well? Considering the Pescadero tub but a little uncomfortable with This smart drain; I don’t like the kit for the overflow tubs. Also - any feedback on matte or glossy finish? - in regards to ease of maintenance and keeping its good looks . Thanks!

@J Ace how are you liking the Vetralla tub? Our project is delayed so we have time to keep debating tubs. I’m considering the York or maybe the Chesire but the Vetralla is a good looking tub. We looked at the shorter one.

Are you still happy with the Brizo - Jason Wu? We have Brizo and California Faucet on our project list. We are debating that as well 😬 Thanks!

@Alina Robert I called V&A and the tech said he personally likes the regular drains. He said the intellidrain is not popular. I was surprised to hear that... I was going to use that if I bought a non-overflow (for the looks). I’d love any feedback. It is $400 but seems like a very cool concept. 🤪

Has anyone with the intellidrain tested it to see if it matches the inbound flow rate if the tub is accidentally left on? i know every faucit is different but curious how well the new drain design works. thanks for any on the ground feedback.

@Sinéad Manning

We recommend our customers get the IntelliDrain. We have only had positive feedback on it. It's a much nicer and cleaner look, plus you even save a few bucks.

@tennisanyone17 HI! I know it has been many years but how are you liking your Vetralla? We are looking at the 59" one with no overflow and intellidrain. THank you!

@caitbee are you still loving your tub? Looking to install one but curious how it is holding up through the years. Also, does anyone have one installed for more than 10 years