As my clients know, I am committed to green design and always find ways to incorporate environmentally- conscious products and concepts into my design plans. With that in mind, some might view the notion of a luxurious green master bath with a soaking tub and powerful showerhead as an oxymoron. But in fact, I believe there are many ways to spoil yourself in the bath without throwing the environment out with the bath water.

Showers and baths: The jetted corner tub has been the premier luxury item in most new homes and bath remodels over the last 20 years. Sitting pretty on its two-step pedestal with a large tile or stone surround, it takes up almost half the square footage allocated to the master bath. When I ask my clients if they use it, they frequently say, "Rarely. I wish I hadn't put it in." The reasons are many: the large footprint; the quantity of water needed to fill it; inconvenience in cleaning; and, for those with small children who need help in the bath, the awkwardness of working around the size of the tub.

I am not in favor of doing without a tub completely, but prefer instead to reduce its size and placement in the bath-suite. A sitting or soaking tub -- with or without the jets -- can fit in half the space of a full size Jacuzzi and still fit two, giving you more opportunities for the layout of your bathroom. Consider walling off your tub to create a separate tub room to use as a quiet retreat. Victoria and Albert's Bath ( www.vandabaths.com), MTI ( www.mtiwhirlpools.com), Duravit (www.duravit.com) and Aquamass (through www.pscbath.com) offer some of the best deep tubs on the market today. A smaller tub that you actually will use gives you room for a larger shower with a glass enclosure - no more hitting the walls with your elbows as you lather up.

One of my favorite luxury bath splurges is a steam bath. While not replacing the cleansing aspects of a traditional water shower, it is an ideal way to reduce stress, soothe muscles and open pores. A 15 to 20 minute steam bath as part of your shower routine can shorten the time of a full blast shower significantly and save water in the process, since a two minute shower uses 10 times more water than a 20 minute steam bath. With a reduced tub size and larger shower, you and your spouse can still have your spa and sauna time together.

Even without the water-saving aspects of a steam bath, there are still many ways to have luxury without guilt in the shower. Better to spoil yourself with a high- flow showerhead that gives you five good minutes of bathing rather than 10 minutes with a low-flow showerhead that leaves you feeling nothing but soapy and disgruntled. If your wallet or your conscience tells you that a fully automated thermostatic and pressure controlled shower and body spray system with multiple heads is not for you, there are other affordable and convenient water-saving alternatives. These include shut-off valves for the loop between the shower head and the knobs that enable you to turn off the water while lathering up without losing the water temperature setting, or diverter valves that direct water to a hand sprayer.

Sinks and Hardware: Bringing luxury into the bath has never been easier thanks to the wide range of sink vessels, countertops, faucets and other bath hardware on the market today. But functionality has always been my priority especially in the master bath. Leave the glass, decorated ceramic and metal counter vessels which can truly be works of art for your powder room - they are not practical for the everyday use of washing and brushing. If you don't have a lot of space, forego the two sinks for a single, but generously-sized, sink that leaves room for a makeup counter instead.

Lighting: To save energy and create softer, more demure lighting in the bath, install several different light sources on separate switches so that you can light only the areas that are in use rather than lighting the entire room. Avoid overhead lighting for makeup areas since it can create shadows on the face. Ideally, make-up lights should be adjustable with moveable arms. Install a timer or a movement sensor switch on the general overhead light - these measures prevent electrical overuse and the constant reminders to "Turn off the light!" I have installed both types in my kid's room for that very reason.

Heating: In addition to being a treat for your feet, radiant floor heating is actually more efficient than standard baseboard heaters, both in emitting the right kind of heat and dollar-for-dollar value over the years. Baseboard heaters also tend to be unsightly and rust. The initial cost of radiant floor heating is higher, but if you are re-tiling your floor, you won't regret it. Add a slim wall radiator or towel heater and you are all set.

When it comes to heating your water, consider an additional water source for your bath : tankless water heaters that heat water only as you need it. This avoids keeping heated water in an otherwise oversized tank 24/7. Flow-through water heaters, as they are also called, come in different sizes. Have an HVAC specialist calibrate the combination of your systems.

Mirrors: Thankfully, the days of full wall, non- descript vanity mirrors are gone. The interesting shapes and handsome frames that have been the hallmark of beautiful mirrors in other rooms of the home are making their way into the bath. Consider incorporating different sized mirrors into the room, from full-length to smaller ones for make-up application. Add a fog-free mirror to your shower for shaving.

Soft Lines: To finish off your luxurious retreat, outfit it with scrumptious towels, rugs and comfortable stools. The styles, fabrics, and finishes on the market today are abundant and provide endless opportunities to truly pamper yourself.

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