Vibrant, Modern Shaker-Style Kitchen Installation in Angel, Islington

A Fresh Expression of Shaker-Style Design 

When our client approached us for a complete kitchen revamp, they already knew what they wanted: a modern shaker-style kitchen with contemporary touches. Something that felt fresh but timeless. Practical, but full of character. 

 

Through our early discussions around colour, materials and bespoke features, the character of the kitchen began to emerge: traditional shaker detailing, brought to life through stronger colour, contemporary functionality and carefully considered details.  

 

We settled on a vibrant blue as their primary colour, with oak and brass accents to create an elevated, refined feel, and a layout that would complement their social lifestyle. 

 

Transforming a Dark, Constricted Space into an Architectural Anchor 

Their existing open-plan kitchen was dark, cramped, and frustrating to use. Because the kitchen shared space with the main dining and living areas, its dim palette and awkward configuration compromised the entire room. 

 

The previous layout lacked two fundamentals of comfortable everyday living: generous food preparation space and sufficient, organised storage. Instead of serving as an attractive focal point, the kitchen receded into the corner of the room. 

 

The brief called for a complete reimagining: a bright, social kitchen with commanding visual character, structured storage to eliminate countertop clutter, and an open layout tailored for entertaining. 

 

Balancing Vibrancy With Contemporary Features 

Shaker cabinetry gave us the traditional character the client wanted, while leaving plenty of room to introduce a more contemporary personality through colour and material.  

 

For this kitchen, we chose shaker-style oak door and drawer fronts with a rich blue lacquer, giving the cabinetry its depth and identity. 
 

To soften the strength of the blue, we introduced oak shelving and a bespoke wine rack, bringing natural warmth into the room and giving some of the client’s custom-made pieces a place to be displayed.  

 

Brass handles bring warmth and contrast against the blue cabinetry, while echoing the more traditional character of the shaker detailing. Paired with the oak shelving and wine rack, they help the kitchen feel bold, but measured.  

 

Layering Texture, Light and Modern-Day Function 

The 30mm Frosty Carrina worktop brings a clean, luminous quality to the kitchen. Behind it, New Terracotta Craquele tiles laid in a classic brick pattern add texture and character, becoming a focal point in their own right.

 

Rather than simply accommodating the appliances, we made them part of the design itself. NEFF cooking appliances and a Siemens fridge-freezer sit neatly within the cabinetry, allowing the rich blue joinery to remain the defining feature of the room. A Caple wine cooler sits discreetly within the cabinetry, keeping it close at hand without allowing the appliances to compete with the character of the joinery. A Quooker boiling tap and worktop-integrated Kaelo bring further everyday convenience directly into the working space. 

 

Light herringbone timber flooring continues from the kitchen into the surrounding space, its natural warmth complementing the oak shelving and balancing the deeper blue cabinetry.

 

Thoughtful Storage, Inside and Out  

Bespoke joinery is one of Amberth’s specialities, and the craftsmanship in this kitchen goes well beyond the visible cabinetry. Solid oak and oak veneer doors are complemented by solid oak drawer boxes, and purpose-made internal inserts.

 

The customised storage deserves its own mention. Open the cupboards and drawers, and you’ll find the same level of thought continues inside. From dedicated spice and cutlery drawers to pull-out solutions that keep ingredients and everyday essentials organised and within reach. 

 

It’s this attention to what sits behind the doors, as much as what catches the eye, that gives the finished kitchen its sense of character and completeness. 

 

Designed for Entertaining: Dedicated Drinks and Wine Station 

Because the kitchen opens directly into the dining and lounge areas, Amberth integrated dedicated features that support seamless hosting without crowding the primary cooking zone: 

• Integrated Caple Wine Cabinet: Positioned beneath the worktop for effortless access during dinner parties. 
• Bespoke Solid Oak Wine Display: Custom-milled joinery that keeps everyday bottles organised and beautifully presented. 
• Worktop-Integrated Kaelo Cooler: Sunken seamlessly into the quartz worktop, this dry-cooling chamber keeps an open bottle chilled to within one degree of serving temperature without messy ice buckets or water drips.

 

Taking Care of Every Stage, from Design to Installation

Bringing this transformation to life involved much more than designing and installing a new kitchen. Amberth provided a complete design, supply and installation service, overseeing the renovation from the initial material selections through to the final finishing touches.

 

Alongside the bespoke cabinetry, worktops and appliances, our installation team carried out the plumbing, electrics, new flooring, painting and decorating. The renovation also extended into the adjoining living area, where we designed, supplied and installed bespoke media wall units, creating a more cohesive space for everyday living and entertaining.

 

With Amberth coordinating the different elements of the renovation, our client had one team responsible for bringing the entire project together. This continuity helped ensure that the kitchen and living areas were finished as one harmonious space.