Shaker

Where it comes from

Shaker communities in nineteenth century America, where ornament was a moral question.

Shaker is a joinery style before it is a decorating one: flat-panel doors, peg rails, honest timber and no applied decoration. It is the safest cabinet language in a remodel because it sits comfortably in period and modern houses alike.

Lighting

Simple and warm — plain shades, no ornament, positioned where the work is.

What breaks it

• Carving and moulding
• Bright colour
• Visible clutter
• Ornamental hardware

Where to spend

Door frame width and peg rails. Shaker is a set of proportions, and a slightly wrong stile width shows immediately.