Before and after: an extension creates space for a stylish monochrome en suite

‘With our two sons getting older and space and privacy becoming more important, we decided to extend upstairs to create another bedroom and bathroom,' says the owner of this five-bedroom modern detached house in Cheltenham.

'We built the extension over the sitting room and knocked through the old bathroom, which gave us a corridor to the new rooms and a decent-sized shower room for the boys.'

Bathroom makeover

'I've learned to always start a scheme with something you really love. I fell in love with the palm print wallpaper for the bedroom and everything in the bathroom was chosen to work alongside that.'

‘Because our room is so tucked away, we didn’t need doors on the en suite. It means the light flows between the rooms and I can lie in the bath and watch the telly in the bedroom!’

Modern freestanding bath

The extension cost £70,000 and the project took six months. They gave the new en suite a simple monochrome scheme, which can evolve with different accessories and artwork. 'I’d always wanted a freestanding bath, so that was number one on my wish list!'

'I used a deep blue shade on one wall but kept the rest white and introduced texture and pattern with the tiles' says the owner of the decorative bathroom flooring idea.

'I added bits and pieces I found in junk shops and on eBay while working on projects for my company, Rachel Collis Design.'

Black-framed shower screen

The shower was built into the corner of the room, a space-saving shower room idea. A false wall was built to create the enclosure, which left the perfect nook for the loo, out of sight inside the doorway. A black shower frame won’t show fingerprints and smears like chrome.

Upcycled sink vanity unit

The owner bought the marble-topped washstand in a house clearance sale, deciding on a savvy upcycled furniture idea. Changing the handles and painting it black totally transformed the piece.

The mirror was another vintage find, which she painted black to match the washstand.

A hanging house plant idea adds style without using surface space.

'This bathroom is our private retreat,' says the owner. 'It’s a grown-up place to relax in now!