Traditionally, shaker kitchens have been subtly charming and almost austere in their decor and furnishings, and you may wonder how it is that the style is still so popular when modern living calls for useful appliances and accessories. The key is to combine style elements with convenience – read on to find out more about accessories that are ideal in shaker kitchens.
Integrated appliances
Centuries ago, when the shaker style first emerged in the US, households were without modern appliances like microwave ovens and dishwashers. However, modern society is characterised by busy lifestyles, and with many people working full-time, it’s not always viable to spend hours preparing meals entirely from scratch each day. Modern appliances mean home life is more relaxing and enjoyable than it perhaps could be, and there’s no need to forgo your microwave or kettle when you invest in a shaker kitchen.
A good way of overcoming the potential disparity between the stripped back shaker style and the need for modcons is to choose integrated appliances for the kitchen. This means you can have the microwave, dishwasher and other appliances built into cupboards and hidden away from sight if you choose, so the kitchen maintains its stylised appearance but you get the benefits of a modern standard of living.
A traditional range cooker
You may decide to integrate many of your appliances behind cupboard doors, but one item you should have proudly on show is a traditional cooker. Brands like Aga are renowned for their cast iron range cookers, which remain as popular now as they were when they first entered the market in the 1920s. Investing in a traditional stove is a throwback to the historical roots of the shaker style, in which kitchens featured little more than understated wooden panelling, handmade dining and food preparation furniture and a customary stove or cooker.
Traditional range cookers can be operated with propane gas, oil or electricity, depending on your tastes and how sympathetically you want to stick to the style, and often feature up to four separate oven sections, which is ideal in busy households as it allows you to prepare a number of meals at the same time if you like to make home-cooked meals in advance and warm them up after work.
Rustically-decorative accessories
The shaker style relies heavily on materials that would have been available centuries ago, like wood, slate and copper, and you can work these elements into your kitchen when choosing accessories. A traditional copper kettle will look the part sitting atop a range cooker, while a slate chalkboard fixed to the wall draws on the trend while also being a useful place to mark items for a to-do list.
Wood is the main feature of shaker kitchens throughout the ages, and plaques made from unfinished wood bearing slogans can be a nod to tradition while also reflecting your own tastes. Wooden crates and cupboards installed at height are also in-keeping with the shaker style, while you could also install a wooden panel or dado rail at head height and fix wooden pegs to it for holding utensils and pans.
The natural, handmade element of shaker kitchens is integral to the trend so, as well as investing in items made from unfinished wood and slate, you could also pick up some hand-woven wicker or rattan baskets and bowls.