Imagine stepping into an elevator at a fivestar hotel, pressing the button for the spa, and descending into a world of relaxation and luxury. Now, picture skipping the hotel entirely and taking those same steps—only at home. For one family, this dream became a reality when designer Amy Tomlan transformed their basement into a fully equipped spa retreat.
Tomlan owns Apricus Design, a division of Modern Architecture Denver (MAD), where she works alongside her husband, MAD owner Jeff Tomlan. Her vision of creating timeless, elegant spaces that unify form and function is evident in her approach to this spa retreat, which features a sauna, locker room, and massage table.
Tomlan’s design evokes the relaxing power of nature by incorporating elements like wood, stone, and crystal. Porcelain tile from Soho Studio’s Elan Ribbon Maple collection lends the warmth and look of real wood to the steam shower but is better suited for a wet environment. Cambria Quartz adds a polished finish to the shower bench and countertops, while the floor tile, from Pental’s Smoke collection, provides a cohesive, grounding aesthetic. Above the vanity, custom-made Hammerton pendants shimmer like crystals, casting a radiant glow that enhances the spa’s serene ambiance. In the locker room, Omexco wallpaper mimics mica, adding a raw, stone-like texture to the otherwise smooth space. Every detail was carefully considered. Even the light switches—LeGrand Adorne dimmers— bring a sophisticated touch, allowing precise control over the room’s ambiance.
Tomlan balanced these aesthetic choices with practical considerations, especially for the bathroom’s complex water systems. Kohler plumbing fixtures and a Steamist system (a steam shower setup) deliver next-level relaxation but also put the home’s water system to the test. “The shower is colloquially called a ‘car wash’ by the tradesmen who worked on the project,” Tomlan says. “Because there are so many plumbing fixtures, the shower needs its own hot water heater. Otherwise, it would drain the household water heater in about ten minutes.”
This one-of-a-kind basement spa proves that luxury isn’t about where you go—it’s about how far you’re willing to take your imagination and design.
