Some people compare home remodeling to going through labor. Others say it's much worse than that.

But the pain is eased quite a bit when you don't have to pay for it.

Last year, Scott and Linda Caldwell of Mesa won the Tribune's "Win a New Loo" contest, sponsored by Leonardo's Marble and Granite Designs in Tempe. Their bathroom was judge to be the ugliest of the 41 entries received, with yucky green grout on the tile floor, chipped sinks, broken cabinets and a nonworking shower stall.

Now, it's like being in a bathroom showroom.

"We love it," said Linda Caldwell. "I actually like to clean it because before, it was so ugly - I hated cleaning it. Now, I wish my kitchen was that nice. Maybe I'd enjoy cleaning that."

When we announced the contest, we specified that contractors wouldn't do any plumbing or replace tubs or toilets among other stipulations. But in the end, Leonardo's decided to junk the whole john!

Before: The Caldwell's sinks were rusted
and chipped and the fixtures outdated.

Before: The cabinets in the Caldwell's
bathroom were beyond repair.

Before: The Caldwell's family hadn't used their shower stall in months because it was leaking. Caldwell tried to scrape off the moldy caulk, but it was so disgusting she eventually gave up.

Before