What if you get an "antique-y looking" but not clawfoot tub? Then you could do whatever faucet hardware you wanted...

I did find this one, though.

Cheers.

as the owner of a clawfoot tub with one of those round shower curtain things i really feel obliged to ask, have you ever showered in one of those set ups? if yes, carry on. if no.... well, let me tell you its not pleasant. it was there when i bought the house... i took down the full white shower curtain and just use the clawfoot for luxurious bathing, and shower in the hall bathroom where the tub is a mere 80 years old and more normal.

my house is also 1870.

Unfortunately the only other shower in the house is my master bath and I have no intention of sharing my master shower with my 4 children. It ain't happening! Lol!

you know that the curtain will have 2 openings.... only way that you can reach the faucet, and the one to get in. i just want you to imagine it all in its spattery water puddley glory.

we usually have a curtain on the back side (where the rings are) hanging on the outside of the tub to introduce a bit of softness and color. i took it down for the painters this summer and havent gotten it back up.

i love the tub, for me and a bath, but if i could come up with the $37K to redo the bath i'd have it all gone in a heart beat.

I'd like to suggest pairing the ORB with antique brass option for claw feet. The finishes pair well together. Do you mind sharing what you are willing to spend on the new tub? That way we can help you search for the ideal tub.

About $1500CAD. I'm in Canada so my options seem to be limited unless I ship from the states, which is $$$. I've found a tub for $1000CAD (not authentic cast iron, but I can live with that).

You are putting a claw foot tub with shower in the guest bath used by your children?

As another poster has written, showering in the small circle provided by the gerry rigged shower in a claw foot tub is a horrible experience. I can't imagine actually spending money to recreate it as I had a bathroom fitted like that in a house I rented in college.

It's also more difficult to keep clean and difficult to get in and out of because of the high sides and that there isn't a large flat surface to stand in. And I suspect there will be a lot of splashing especially when kids use it.

If you want a period look, built in tubs were welcomed in the 1920's and you can google for pictures of baths done with a period look that also have better functionality. Appropriate fixtures, tile and style of vanity would provide period charm with modern functionality. While I am not slavishly recreating a period look in my remodel, I did opt for period style fixtures in an eclectic way - floors are basket weave; tiled walls mimic the iconic green of Arts & Crafts tiles; my fixtures have somewhat of a Victorian field and they are oil rubbed bronze.

Why not have a pump in the kitchen in lieu of faucet and only cold water as that might also be true to the period :-).

Claw foot tub or not, we require a shower riser. We've had contractors out to assess our bathroom and the only way to get a shower is to do a riser. The tub is irrelevant.
I'm looking for opinions on chrome and ORB together. Thanks for your opinions though :)

Chrome is a classic finish and IMO ORB is already fading into the dated realm.