Granite on top of kitchen counters or bath vanities is ubiquitous, but how about soaking in a one-of-a-kind bathtub carved out of a giant granite boulder?

Stone Forest, based in Santa Fe, N.M., offers bathtubs hand-carved from a single hunk of rock. Rather than being cast or laminated, each tub has its own unique shape, color, pattern and texture,

"Our natural bathtubs are functional sculptures that preserve and accentuate the organic beauty of solid granite boulders," said company owner Michael Zimber. The exterior is left in its natural form, he said, which contrasts with the polished interior.

Homeowners will need a sturdy floor and pocketbook to handle these tubs, which weigh in between 2,500 and 3,500 pounds and cost from $14,000 to $17,500 depending on size. They are created to use a Brasstech 270 lift-and-turn drain but can be custom-carved to work with a particular make or model of plumbing hardware. Care for this tub is similar to kitchen granite: Use a stone cleaner and reseal as necessary. Find this tub at Union Hardware in Bethesda.