The Rundown: 5 Custom Elements That Brought This Indoor-Outdoor Spa to Life

Sometimes the best home features are the ones designed specifically for the project. In this edition of the Rundown, we look at the tailored solutions behind this indoor-outdoor spa room

Story at a Glance:

  • The spa features a custom 7-foot-by-7-foot plunge tub designed for both hot and cold use, tailored to fit the space perfectly.
  • Bluestone flooring was sourced locally, providing a durable, moisture-resistant surface that extends from indoors to the outdoor firepit area.
  • Double-panel lattice doors with insect screening allow natural light and air while maintaining privacy and insect protection.
  • Homeowner-designed tiles inspired by the latticework add a personalized artistic touch, enhancing the space’s symmetry and aesthetic appeal.
  • White oak paneling on the ceiling introduces warmth and moisture resistance, complementing brass fixtures and oak furnishings for a cohesive look.

Previously rundown and underutilized, a porch at a home in Chevy Chase, Md., was transformed into an indoor-outdoor spa through a series of customizations by local contractor Zantzinger and Washington, D.C.-based MV Architects.

While the porch remodel was part of a larger two-story addition that also gave the home a dining room and outdoor seating, this edition of The Rundown focuses on the customizations that helped shape the lower-level spa room into a distinctive retreat.

 

A Custom Plunge Tub

 

At the center of the room sits a seven-foot-by-seven-foot plunge tub that offers both cold and hot temperatures. According to MV Architects, going custom was the right path for this project, allowing them to achieve the specific size and depth needed to fit the space. It also enabled greater design integration, with bluestone carrying up from the ground and wrapping around the pool.


 

Bluestone from a Local Stone Yard

 

Bluestone was sourced from a local stone yard for the flooring.

The material stretches across the room and carries outside, creating a path to an outdoor firepit just beyond the spa room.

The stone brings a durable, moisture-resistant option to the space while also serving as a visual connection between the indoor and outdoor areas.


 

Lattice Work That Keeps Insects at Bay

When designing the entry door for the space, the design team knew it needed to serve two functions: allow light to flood the room and also provide protection against insects drawn to high-moisture environments—such as the one that would be created by the plunge tub. 

The team came up with a double-panel door with a custom latticework design that allows for light and air circulation while also creating privacy.

The latticework also disguises insect screening that’s hidden away between the two panels.


 

Custom Artwork By the Homeowner

When it comes to artwork, custom is often the way to go, but what makes the art in this space special is that it was designed and crafted by the homeowner. 

Inspired by the latticework doors and the shadows they cast throughout the room, the homeowner created custom tiles to match.

The tiles sit across from the entry door and above the tub, bringing symmetry to the space.


 

White Oak Ceilings That Add Warmth

With white walls and bluestone flooring, the project team selected white oak paneling for the ceilings to inject warmth into the space. The material was also chosen for its durability and moisture-resistance, making it well suited to the spa room. 

The oak also complements the brass light fixtures, artwork, and oak furnishings found throughout the room. Used throughout the remainder of the two-story addition, it also brings a sense of continuity and connection to the rest of the home. 

 

 


This article is part of The Rundown, our series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the products and materials that helped shape designer spaces. 

To learn more about this project, read the full case study.


 

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About the Author

Catherine Sweeney

Catherine Sweeney is the associate editor for Pro Builder and Custom Builder, where she creates both digital and print content, including Pro Builder’s daily e-newsletter and various news stories for both brands. Before joining Endeavor, she began her career in local journalism, later pivoting to the commercial real estate industry where she worked for several years as a reporter and editor.

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