The History behind the popular "Shaker-Style" Kitchen

Historical Overview:

 "Shaker styling" is a term used in Europe , as well as North America, to define a beautifully executed, but sever in sensitivity and simple in detail, woodworking styling that is attributed to the craftspeople of the Shaker villages located in the Northeastern part of the United states. this was a religious sect known as the "Shakers" because of the activities the group engaged in during religious ceremonies. One of the tenets of this religion was celibacy: although the followers actively adopted children to continue the community, the last Shaker village closed in the early 20th Century.

 The Shakers believed an important part of celebrating God was always to be busy and active in worthwhile tasks and to demand the best of oneself in the way one lived, as well as in the products created. The Shakers' homes were really dormitories-with men living in one and women in the other-and therefore, were designed with multipurpose rooms. Chairs hung on pegs along the outer walls so floor space was available for other activities.

The design elements detailed under American Colonial Rustic are appropriate in Shaker design, with a focus on simplicity of detail and refinement of craftsmanship.

 Cabinetry/Millwork: Use stile-and-rail recessed panel door with a plain inset, or flat panel door with lip construction; simple outside edge detail. Cherry and maple woods used extensively. Some figured wood, such as bird's eye maple or tiger maple used as well. Waxed or oiled warm-medium range wood tones. Occasionally, some of the woodwork, such as the window frames, peg rail, skirting or beaded board wall system, may be painted one of the Shaker colors detailed below.

Hardware and Accessories: Shaker artisans made a large variety of woodturning for everything from cabinet pulls to pegs for wall hanging systems. Therefore, wood pegs are most authentic. Simple metal or hand-forged finishes are acceptable.

Countertops: Use square-edged solid surfaces, slate soapstone, granite and limestone.

Colors: The Shaker swellings were inevitably white plaster, against which a set range of colors were used in both paint and textiles. The distinctive color palette made use of the dyes and pigments from the clays and plants around them, ranging from pinky tones and terra cotta earth shades, through yellow ochre and olive green, to greenish blues and denim.

Surfaces:

• Floors: Typically, floors are varnished timber or wood, in some cases stone. Simple woven wood or rag rugs were laid on top of these hard surface floors.
• Walls: Painted or finished off-white or in earth tone colors. Typically, tall beaded board wainscoting was used with pegs.
• Ceilings: Plaster ceilings, painted white or off-white. Beams could be introduced.

Accents: Needless to say, fabrics were hand-woven and were frequently plain, as the Shakers avoided pattern. However, to lend relief to the otherwise plain interiors, they often wove checked fabrics: miniature gingham, window checks, or checks that incorporated more than one color.