Sian Evans created a contemporary monochrome scheme that exudes hotel-style luxury.

When Sian and Patrick Evans moved from London to Devon, they embraced a project to renovate an elegant 180-year-old house into their family home. The couple were keen to make the most of the property, particularly the disused attic spaces.

‘There are three rooms in total, and I wanted to turn the smallest one into a second bathroom, complete with a full-sized tub, WC and shower,’ says Sian. The room had previously only been used for storage and was poorly lit, unheated and had bare boards underfoot. Although the floor area was generous enough, the steeply sloping walls and limited head-height made the space hard to use. ‘I was going to plan the room myself,’ says Sian, ‘but I soon realised we needed expert help.’

A conversation with a local kitchen designer led the couple to visit the Devon Bathroom Centre. ‘The sta were friendly, knowledgeable and could deal with everything, from design through to completion, so were perfect for the job,’ says Sian.

A plan was drawn up to make best use of the awkward-slanting ceiling and create false walls to section o areas with limited headroom. This formed a series of vertical partitions, against which the fixtures could be mounted and neat alcoves formed in the spaces behind. A walk-in shower fitted perfectly in the corner of the room and the bath was positioned along the left-hand side to allow clearance overhead without encroaching further than necessary.

Despite living in a period house, Sian’s taste is modern and she opted for a contemporary look with clean lines. ‘The plan was to make it feel like a gorgeous hotel bathroom,’ she says. Sian picked a chic grey and off-white colour scheme, with large-format floor and wall tiles to accentuate the space. Lighting comprises practical overhead spots, linked to the extractor, and discreet LEDs in the alcoves and shelving.

Sian and Patrick are delighted with the way the awkward, unappealing attic has been transformed into a beautiful bathroom. ‘It’s better than we imagined and the cleverest aspect is the layout,’ says Sian. ‘We’ve managed to fit everything in and, even though it’s not large, it doesn’t feel cramped. It’s a real success.’

Photography: Colin Poole