Kitchen makeovers

A Handleless Kitchen Makeover With Olivia

Known for her luxe aesthetic, interior blogger, Olivia Edwards-Silk, wanted to make a real style statement for her kitchen makeover. From initial design, to delivery and, installation, discover how Olivia worked with Howdens to create a bold, handle-less look that is both refined and family friendly.

About Olivia

Interior blogger, Olivia, has spent the last few years putting her design advice into practice to make the Derbyshire home she shares with husband, Matt, her own. With the birth of the couple’s first child, Olivia has been keen to renovate her space to accommodate her growing family, whilst keeping her own personal style.

See Olivia's blog

The transformation

White gloss integrated handle kitchen with breakfast bar

Safe and simple

Featuring neutral white tones and a simple cupboard door style, Olivia’s old kitchen design was a little too much on the safe side. It was also one of the only rooms in her home that did not represent her refined aesthetic. With a new baby, she also wanted to create a multi-functional space that would suit the demands of being a busy working mum.

Bold and dramatic

By moving to the opposite end of the shade spectrum, Olivia has ensured that her new kitchen stands out. The bold, charcoal tone paired with our Hockley Matt cupboard doors creates a luxurious feel that matches the rest of her home. Her extension now means there is enough space for a large island, where she can dine, work and, socialise with family with ease.

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The design details

A dark palette

Thanks to the simple slab doors, Olivia has created uninterrupted swathes of bold colour which help fill the large space. By opting for a sheen-free finish, Olivia has made the charcoal cabinetry look even more intense and eye-catching. This combination also helps to draw in the extension, so that the room always feels cosy and intimate.

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Marble surfaces

With a delicate, veined pattern, the white quartz marble counters lift the dark design and add a refined accent to the scheme. The polished surface also offers textural contrast to the matt cupboards, and bounces light around the room, which adds to a luxurious appeal. What is more, a waterfall design transforms Olivia's island into a showstopping feature.

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Metal trims

Combined with our handleless cupboards, the metal profiles in Olivia’s scheme add an architectural feature commonly seen in contemporary, handle-less schemes that enhance the streamlined scheme. Selected in a matt-black colour, these trims blend effortlessly with the charcoal cupboard doors, creating a dark layered look for a premium effect.

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Working with Howdens

Finding a fitter

Having a garage conversion completed recently meant Olivia already had a trade professional in mind when it came to getting her kitchen installed. He was experienced, and had fitted Howdens kitchens before to give Olivia added confidence. If you need help finding a trade professional, contact your local depot.

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Product choice

Olivia had her heart set on a Howdens kitchen ever since she saw Howdens advertised online. She was pleased to discover that Howdens had a wide variety of on-trend products, such as the Hockley collection, which is available in a matt finish and in our darkest shade, and has a minimal door design.

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Design service

Maintaining a minimal look was a must, so Olivia worked closely with her designer to ensure the layout was practical without taking away from the overall look of the design. Using the online chat to communicate during lockdown, her designer tweaked multiple CAD plans until Olivia was happy with the final scheme.

Installation

Olivia’s trade professional was really flexible and was able to provide bespoke solutions that would maintain the pared-back aesthetic of the design. Her trade professional also helped create a custom cabinet to house multiple laundry devices, so that washing and other items could be neatly concealed from view.

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Induction hob

Impressed by the flush-fitting design, Olivia chose an induction device for her design. Providing quick and targeted heat to speed up meal times, this option is easy to clean too, making it simple for Olivia to keep her space looking pristine.

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Brass taps

To enhance the luxe look of her theme, Olivia opted for a brass faucet, which replicates the look of precious gold for an added premium touch. As well as bringing warmth to the space, this colour adds contrast to the dark cabinetry to create an opulent effect.

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Undermount sinks

Olivia chose an undermount sink-bowl for her cleaning area, to create a clutter-free look that matched the streamlined theme of her layout. The bright white colour also ensured it blended seamlessly with the counter for a high-end feel.

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Wood flooring

For a touch of authentic organic character, Olivia decided to include white-oak wood flooring to her design. The woodgrain detail helps introduce timeless character to her scheme, whilst the pale tone keeps the space looking bright and open.

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