I love the niches! Though your mom's looks built-out, not recessed between the studs. I could do that, even with the pocket door, but it would have to be very shallow as there is only 11" from the wall to the tub at the closest point. I also love the windows all the way to the deck - wish mine were lower (maybe not all the way down, but so that I could see out when sitting) but I lost the battle on that window and the one over the kitchen sink - I kept putting in bigger windows and they kept changing the plans, every time a study plan came back it had the smaller windows in again so I figured there was a structural reason and gave up. I could take out the linen closet - I've never liked linen closets in bathrooms, always take out lowest shelf to slide a hamper in and use the rest to stock up on shampoos and soaps - towels go in hallway linen closet where they won't get musty. I just need to keep a column at the front corner of the linen closet near the tub, there is a vent pipe running there - though maybe it could be relocated to the opposite wall of the closet, that is shared with the toilet/shower compartment, that's a thick wall anyway b/c of another pocket door (that slides in the opposite side - b/t the shower and the vanity which I'm not crazy about but I don't think I'm into trying to gut the unfinished bathroom around the brand-new tub and shower. Anyway, code says the controls have to be accessible from outside the tub, so faucets definitely have to go in front corner if I don't tear out the linen closet and box out around that vent pipe. I could forgo the handshower completely but it is convenient for rinsing hair and for rinsing the tub after cleaning (which I have to get into to tub to wipe so I usually clean just before or after using the tub). I could just return this small handshower and get a slightly larger one (with multiple settings!) that could mount on the deck and then I don't have to put it right in the middle, on the acrylic rim. I don't really like a big spout right near my face, would have to try it out and make sure it was far enough away not to be claustrophobic (or a hazard!) if I put it at the head of the tub instead of by the drain. The hot and cold water lines are the ones that would require 6ft hoses from the shutoff valves to the faucet handles/valves, the handshower is fine since it won't be that far from the spout (even when I had planned on it being opposite end, I just figured I'd put a 10-ft braided washing machine hose on). Maybe I will put a grab bar under the window - have to see if it really helps getting up/out. But if I were to put on on the deck for assistance getting in (I've only got a 30" inseam and the deck will be about 20" from finished floor), where would you suggest I put it? Thanks

Is it possible to put the spout and levers on to the half wall of the shower? Maybe you could build it up enough to have them coming out of the wall directly over the tub. Not sure where your plumbing access is though and if drain is on other end maybe you could mount them on that wall?

You should have enough space to have a tub and a shower, depending on the size of vanities, placement of doors, whether you need a toilet enclosure and where the existing plumbing is located. It may be tight, esp. if you want a decent sized shower. Moving the toilet is a PITA. The more plumbing you keep in its original spot, the cheaper it will be. For a quick and dirty (and free) mock up you can use the arrange-a-room tool at BHG. First you specify your room size (unfortunately, their minimum room size is 8 feet by 8 feet, so you'll have to specify a room size of 11 by 8 and ignore one foot of it). Then you pick from among a variety of plumbing fixtures (look in furniture and select bathroom. You'll find toilets, sinks, vanities, corner and regular showers and tubs, etc.). You can also add windows and doors (look in architectural items) You can rotate all of the fixtures, specify sizes, etc. by clicking on info once you drag the fixtures into the room. The program allows you to save, retrieve and print out up to 25 designs. Nothing too sophisticated, but it's easy and it does the trick. Here is a link that might be useful: arrange a room

I'd try to learn to live with it instead of buying a new one. Are you completely convinced it's a safety issue, or is that influenced by the fact that you're unhappy it's not in the right place? I've had remodels where a few things weren't done right and it seemed a big deal at the time...later I didn't notice it.