Green shaker kitchen idea with island layout, matching oak floors and worktops, with concrete-effect surfaces and backboard.

Kitchen Makeovers

A Green Kitchen Makeover With Mathilde

When faced with an outdated period apartment to restyle, interior-lover Mathilde Berthereau decided to go bold with the Earthed trend to invigorate her new home. Taking inspiration from Mother Nature, this style utilises pops of colour, such as green and terracotta, and rustic finishes to create an authentic, welcoming environment that would be a warm hub for Mathilde’s blossoming family. Discover how Howdens helped her to adapt this organic look to complement her decor and lifestyle needs.

Image of Mathilde smiling, with short brown hair, a dark green jumper and glasses.

About Mathilde

Brighton dweller Mathilde Berthereau loves a challenging renovation, so took on the task of transforming her Regency-style apartment to reflect her unique style. Opting to stick with the traditional look, Mathilde chose shaker cupboards in a dark green shade, which provide an on-trend update to her kitchen.

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The transformation

Old-fashioned kitchen with missing cabinets, old dark wood worktops and dated appliances.

Cramped and dated

Featuring old appliances and damaged cabinetry, Mathilde’s previous space was no match for her bold and colourful taste. With awkward access, the room had an inconvenient layout that did not work for Mathilde’s lifestyle. The small cooking area could also not accommodate her growing family, which inspired Mathilde to create a sociable design.

Green shaker kitchen with an island layout, with oak worktops and flooring, and a grey concrete-effect backboard.

Authentic and atmospheric

Mathilde has injected personality into her new space by choosing our Fairford cupboard doors in a green shade, which add a pop of colour and create a down-to-earth look. Her open-plan layout, that includes an island, features a combination of dark tones and textured materials, such as concrete-effect laminate and wood surfaces, that add to the organic aesthetic.

The design details

Dark green kitchen with shaker doors, a full-length larder unit, oak flooring, black hob, extractor fan and brass handles.

Green details

To harness the tones of the natural world, Mathilde opted for green cabinetry, which has an earthy hue that will add bright personality to a space. The playful and organic shade creates a warm and inviting hub, while also complementing the decor of her living area. The shaker construction also grounds this design in heritage roots, making it a timeless and lasting choice.

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Birds eye view of a grained wood worktop, with matching oak flooring and dark green shaker cupboards.

Wooden counters

The solid wood surfaces in Mathilde’s design offer an organic, grained effect that adds a heritage touch to an on-trend aesthetic. This rustic look features golden hues that warm the space and will stand out against the cool-toned emerald palette. Real wood can also be retreated, making it a durable and sustainable option that will ensure a layout looks newer for longer.

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Green shaker kitchen drawers, in a set of three, with antique brass bar handles.

Brass handles

Adding individualism to a look is made simple with aged materials, such as brass, pewter, and nickel. Mathilde has opted for antique brass cupboard handles that complement the dark palette of her design and tie in authentic textures - a key feature of the Earthed trend. The heritage finish is also great for high-traffic areas as it wears well with time, adding to the handcrafted effect.

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Mathilde Berthereau

"Adding authentic materials, like wood and stone, will harness the natural essence of this trend. Use these for your worktops and floors, or swap to laminate for an affordable alternative."

Working with Howdens

Finding a fitter

Mathilde sourced a trade professional through local recommendations and was impressed with their experience of fitting Howdens kitchens. Working with someone with expertise in our products gave Mathilde peace of mind that her project was being confidently managed and installed. For help finding a trade professional, contact your local depot.

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Product choice

Mathilde wanted a design that reflected her love of nature, so she was delighted to spot the deep green palette of the Fairford collection when searching through our wide selection of products. After considering a statement navy scheme, the unique earthy shade caught Mathilde’s eye and was added into her new layout.

Design service

With the task of reconfiguring a layout from scratch, Mathilde wanted to create a sociable hub that would be easy to entertain in and functional for family life. Her designer planned in a kitchen island to connect the open-plan space and make hosting simple. The addition of a larder unit also ensured that ingredients were kept organised and within arms reach.

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Installation

As Mathilde was pregnant during her renovation, it was crucial that the process was efficient and stress-free. The trade professionals working with Mathilde took the reigns on her kitchen project and sourced all the products from her local depot, enabling the build to be completed quickly and to a high standard, all in time for her due date.

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Get the look

Green shaker kitchen design with black hob and extractor, larder style pull out cupboard, and grey concrete-effect worktops.

Larder storage

In smaller spaces, such as apartments, it is crucial to maximise every inch of potential storage. Mathilde knew the importance of including functional cupboards in her design, so opted for a larder unit with a pull-out system, that makes it easy to access every ingredient. This will make it simple to navigate cooking with a new-born in tow, especially when positioned next to a cooking area.

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Birds eye view of three green shaker doors open, showcasing cutlery, bowls, and kitchenware. With oak floors and worktop.

Storage drawers

The shaker design that Mathilde chose offers a heritage and homely feel that works well with additional cabinetry and drawers, for a functional and classic look. She included smaller storage drawers, which maximise space and keep daily essentials close by – great for preparing quick meals for her family. Adding the finishing touches, such as a cutlery tray, has also kept it organised.

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Green shaker kitchen idea in an island layout, with oak effect worktops and a grey concrete worktop and matching backboard.

Textured borders

Adding a new dimension to her design, Mathilde has mixed and matched materials with concrete-effect surfaces that contrast the natural wood textures. The engineered stone look takes inspiration from authentic materials, while adding a cool-toned edge to the earthy hues. Incorporating this texture into a border will also protect walls from splashes and spills, creating a hardwearing finish.

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Dark green kitchen design in an island layout, with oak-effect flooring and worktops, and grey concrete effect worktops.

Freestanding devices

Mathilde wanted to create a focal point within her Earthed design, so she opted for a freestanding cooking device in a daring black tone. With a matching extractor hood, Mathilde has formed a carefully curated space that also acts as a hub for family cooking. The authentic look of this equipment also matches the foundation of the trend – to create a crafted and homespun environment.

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Mathilde Berthereau

"There is definitely a kitchen for everyone at Howdens. There are so many different styles in many colours, and you can trust Howdens to deliver a beautiful end product."