Photo via our Pinterest page.

Imagine what it would be like to have an indoor-outdoor spa sanctuary, a place of peace and harmony, where the interior space flows seamlessly into the outdoors. It’s an indoor spa that has stepped outside expanding and flowing outdoors in the form of a sanctuary where one can unwind, de-stress, and create a pampering spa-like experience without ever leaving home.

I’ve teamed up with Mr. Steam to design my ideal indoor-outdoor spa retreat. My goal was to create a soothing space to be enjoyed both indoors and out, a place for the renewal of mind, body and spirit, one that would extend and blend the boundaries of the indoor spa bathroom and its adjacent outdoor garden room.

Stepping From Steam Shower to Garden

The design’s focal point, a steam shower with a seamless glass enclosure, is accessible both from the interior and from the garden. As a reference, I used my own second floor master bathroom which I designed, but re-imagined it on the ground floor with a continuous sightline leading out to the garden.
Photo via Robin Plaskoff Horton.

The bathroom incorporates some of my favorite materials and features–honed gray-green mini brick marble floor tiles, one inch Calacatta Gold marble slabs for the countertop and jet tub surround, polished nickel fixtures, soft cove mood lighting, and a Mr. Steam wall-mounted towel warmer. Bliss.

Stepping From Garden to Steam Shower

In this re-imagined indoor-outdoor scenario, one can step directly from the steam shower into the garden, where there is another heated towel warmer within easy reach of the outdoor shower. To define this exterior spa space, we surrounded it with raised corten steel planters in which we mixed various plants with tall grasses that provide natural privacy screening.

To begin the creative process, we developed a mood board with ideas and materials reflecting our desired space, both inside and out.

Photo via our Pinterest page.

Taking time for oneself is important not just for reducing stress, but also for maintaining and improving one’s health. No matter how small your space, and whatever your preferences, there’s always room for expanding the senses by soaking in the tub, adding some essential oils, immersing yourself into the elemental forces of life: water and warmth.

What’s your ideal indoor-outdoor spa sanctuary? For a chance to win one of Mr. Steam’s luxury freestanding towel warmers, enter our Indoor-Outdoor Spa Sanctuaries Pin-to-Win Pinterest Contest now.  Happy pinning and hurry, contest ends June 26, 2013!