Small Bath Becomes Spacious Spa ; Complete Makeover Results in the Creation of a Watery Paradise

Rex, Bob and their two huge dogs, Shamus and Malka, have lived in their beautiful 1920s house for two years. They've been renovating it room by room, but when they got to their master bathroom they ran out of steam.

Busy juggling home life and two demanding careers - Rex is a world-renowned ballet dancer and Bob runs a consulting business for dentistry - they asked me to take over.

The tiny, cramped bathroom was too small for this family of four, and Rex and Bob were desperate for a spa-inspired bathroom with all of the amenities. Rex needed a place to sooth his sore muscles after dancing, Bob needed storage for his many grooming products, and they both wanted a place where they could bathe their two Great Danes without too much fuss.

So, with that tall order, the only thing I could do was completely gut the space.

I started by knocking down one wall and using the space from the adjacent closet. Then I took out absolutely everything: the floors, the walls, the shower stall, the window - and I was just getting started.

I decided on a color scheme of masculine browns, sage greens and cool grays, which I incorporated into various accents, including beautiful porcelain floor and ceiling tiles, and hip, glass mosaic wall tiles.

I then decided to divide the bathroom into two parts: a spa/ relaxation area for all things water-related, and a functional area for sinks, toilet and storage.

For the spa/relaxation zone, I created the ultimate therapeutic shower and tub. The shower consists of a rain-like atmosphere with an entire ceiling of water that cascades downward. I added body sprays into the walls that will convert the area into a steam room. I then installed a top-of-the-line chromatherapy, air-massage soaker tub.

To keep all of the water and steam from escaping into the other part of the bathroom, I made the space watertight. I installed a waterproof membrane throughout the entire room; put up a window made of fiberglass composite material that is designed for humid conditions; and closed it all off with beautiful glass doors.

Next I moved into zone two: the more functional side of the bathroom. But functional doesn't have to mean dull; this area is modern and hotel-style chic.

I put up a lot of wooden cabinets for storage, which give the room some added warmth. I then put in two console vanities on either side of the room, so the guys will each have their own space. And for that extra bit of elegance I put up specially designed sconces on the walls, some heated floors, and even a high-efficiency, tankless toilet with a self-closing lid.

The bathroom was now completely ready for Rex and Bob, but I didn't want to leave out Shamus and Malka. Since they'll also be bathing in this luxurious space, I designed two black and white- checkered robes for these handsome pups to don after their dog- washing sessions are done.

This bathroom was short on space and on style. But with a luxurious wet room, twin vanities, ample storage and some elegant lighting, it now rivals the best spa bathrooms in the finest hotels around.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is the host of HGTV's Divine Design. For more ideas, information and show times, visit www.HGTV.com or www.divinedesign.tv.

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