Haskell Matheny has been in the design business for more than 20 years, but it wasn't until recently that he got a request to turn an outdated bathroom into a luxurious spa.

It was a challenge he readily accepted, said Mr. Haskell, ASID, IIDA, owner of Haskell Interiors Design in Cleveland, Tenn.

"The owner, Gay Dawson, had just purchased a home, and the master bath was one of the most hideous rooms I had ever seen," Mr. Matheny said. "It had silver and purple foil stitch wallpaper with purple cabinets. The floor was a grape-juice colored vinyl."

The bathroom has two floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street.

"I had never in my career seen this before, but the toilet was placed in front of the window. You can imagine what neighbors could have seen if the curtains were open," he said. "A cheap stand-alone fiberglass shower was placed between the windows. Across from that was a four-person 8-foot by 8-foot hot tub. It was enormous. The bathroom looked like it was designed for Hugh Hefner."

The room also housed a his-and-her vanity.

"The first thing I did was change the layout," Mr. Matheny said. "I moved the toilet away from the window."

The bath had a spacious walk-in L-shaped linen closet.

"I took the smaller part of the closet and turned it into a private area for the toilet," he said. "So, now, when you walk into the bathroom, instead of facing the toilet by the window, the toilet is tucked away in a room of its own."

He said the new area for the toilet is one of the owner's favorite features because it makes the renovated room look less like a bathroom and more like a spa.

The designer reversed the tub and shower, placing a modern claw-foot tub between the two windows where the shower had been. The tub has polished nickel feet that coordinate with silver and mirrored accessories used throughout the room.

A glassed-in dual-head shower is now located where the hot tub had been.

Vinyl floors have been replaced with soothing white marble.

Mr. Matheny chose a "Tiffany-style" blue paint with a slight sheen for walls with a coordinating toile fabric for draperies. He added a glass mosaic arch between the windows, as well as on two walls in the shower area. "It has a very glamorous yet calm and relaxing effect."

The his-and-her vanity was replaced with separate wood vanities featuring porcelain sinks and stainless fixtures. Lead crystal and sterling vases and bowls are used as accessories.

A mirrored linen chest sits next to the closet door.

Mr. Matheny added many personal touches to the room.

"The owner loves to have things monogrammed," he said. "So I had her initials monogrammed on the plush towels, the back of the vanity chair, the soap and more. It totally personalizes the room."

Also placed in the spacious room is a wing-back chair -- "right where the toilet used to be," Mr. Matheny said, noting that it made the ideal place for the owner to relax while talking on the phone or reading a book.

The designer framed prints the owner purchased when living in London.

"The prints bring back memories," he said. "It gives the room an identity that's connected to Gay's past."

Mr. Matheny said he and his client are thrilled with the renovated space.

"It is a spa," he said. "It's a place where she can go for complete relaxation. Gay gave me a lot of trust. Design is my life, and I like to help others find their style and feel that they can have a home or office that reflects the things that make them happy. She made an emotional connection with the room, and that was my goal."

so you want to redesign Your bath

Designer Haskell Matheny offers the following tips:

1. Make it personal

* Add photos of family/vacation spots

* Add monograms for a stylish theme

* Choose your favorite color

* Use sentimental items in different ways

2. Pick a theme/set a trend

* Small rooms are easy to experiment with

* Look at magazines for latest trends: Patterns, colors

* Pick a favorite blouse, dress as inspiration

3. Make it a sanctuary

* Think about the things that make you relax/happy

* Use candles, music, scents, favorite lotions, bath sets

* Add a chair and reading material

* Use good towels and a soft rug

* Install a dimmer for mood lighting

4. Think of it as a room, then a bath

* It's the room where you start and end the day

* Use furniture from other rooms

* Re-purpose items/furniture to accommodate your needs

* There are no rules -- have fun

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