subject: Creating Shaker Kitchens For The Modern Home [print this page] The Shaker people were from EnglandThe Shaker people were from England. A religious sect in the late 1700's, they focused on simplicity and clean lines for their homes and especially their Shaker kitchens.
This practical style can easily be incorporated in today's Shaker kitchen. Some examples of the style would be countertops that do not have a shiny surface, but rather a muted one. An open floor plan would also apply. The cabinets would be along the walls, and maybe one small island in the middle of the room.
The cabinets would have recessed panel doors. The front of the door would feature a panel that is flat in the middle, and is framed with wood around it. These cabinets would prove to be simple and clean, yet sturdy, and they may be accented with hardware that is also simple and has a matte finish.
The Shakers used quality wood in their kitchens, and they were expert artisans. You might consider maple, cherry and perhaps another type of hardwood for present day kitchens. If the cabinetry is too expensive for your remodel, you might consider just having a Shaker table built for the center of the room. Then, when you match up store bought cabinets to it, you might find a way to have it take on the same simple look. The table would be sturdy with straight legs and a very slight overhang. It could be the simple focal point of the room.
These kitchens had floors made of bare boards, and they had no coating to protect the wood. Today, you can find woods and finishes to replicate this look. You might find oak, maple, or pine flooring with various color variations and rustic graining. And you can place a matte finish to them, coating them to replicate that old fashioned look, but with modern protection.
There were not many ornaments in the Shaker Kitchens. And storage space was key. There was a place for everything to be the room looking clean and clutter-free. They strived for a peaceful environment. You can organize your Shaker kitchen cabinets and storage spaces with plate dividers within the vertical spaces, interior spice racks, and so on. Just stick to the clean, simple, uncluttered look to create that old fashioned charm.
