patty_cakes- Sorry I can't help with costs, but years ago friends in AZ had a set up very similar to what you described (i.e. steps down to a shower area), it could be used as a shower and also become a square tub kinda thing. It was very cool looking and I liked it, but they didn't. They were always afraid they or the kids were going to fall in it and she fussed and worried about germs (I'm not a germophobe, so that would not occur to me). It was tiled in a dark purple tile that gave a very regal, almost Roman look. What I liked about it was the sense of being submerged when taking a shower, and that's what they hated (she used to say she felt like she was drowning in there) but I'm a water nut, and they are not. Now, on to what I know better: in our new build we have have 2 tiled, walk-in showers, downstairs is a "wet room" and upstairs in the family bath we have a series of 3 rooms in a row that comprise the bathroom (think of a rectangle). From our bedroom the entrance is from the middle of the long end of the rectangle and we enter into the "vanity room" (if you will). To our left is the toilet room to our right is the shower room. DD's entrance from her BR is at the right end of the rectangle, she enters into the shower room. The floor, walls and ceiling of the shower room are tiled, just the floors in the vanity and toilet room are tiled. It's a full mud job and there is a small step up from each bedroom to the bathroom but the bath itself is on the same level (if this makes any sense at all). We wanted it to be HC accessible and figured that it would be easier to build ramps from the bedrooms than to have to deal with a curb in the shower (this is our last house). The shower itself is 7' x 6' with a shower curtain bisecting the long wall, giving us a glorious 7' x 3' space in which to shower. We lived with small plastic stall showers for years and are very grateful to have such a luxuriously large space and also love that there are no curbs. sandyponder

I just installed a two handle tub filler with slidebar shower head. Need a plug for shower takeoff on the valve body. I soldered a 12" piece of copper with a cap into the shower outlet. Need tubspout with diverter and takeoff for shower. Found this in repair and replacement area at Lowe's. Dump the spout and shower head that came with the valve assembly.

Hi dmosunich, I personally use this Waterpik hand-held shower head when the old shower head stopped functioning. It works for my needs. Not fancy by any means but definitely am happy with the multi-spray options that the old fixed shower head could not provide. The criteria for me was that the shower head had to be bigger and wider, and have the ability to detach and have a long enough hose to move freely. This Waterpik fit all of that plus it had multiple spray patterns which was definitely a plus. Can't speak for its durability as it is made of plastic with an exterior metal-like shell (most likely a type of acrylic that looks like metal) but I've had it for about 2 months now and so far so good. Hope this helps. Very Best, Tai Truong Elements of Design 3400 Medford Street Los Angeles, CA 90063 tai@lusivedecor.com www.elementsofdesign.com

I'm thought using chrome would make matching easier, but no. This morning the contractor said he would install a Speakman valve instead if I could get it by Tuesday, but I ended up going with all Delta, chosing Ara trim and the Delta 58473-25 In2ition 2.5 GPM Multi Function shower head. I'm returning the Speakman with a little sadness because it was quite lovely and obviously well made.