With so many kitchen options available, the popular shaker style has stood the test of time and it is not going anywhere soon. But lately, we are bending the rules. ICM Geelong President, Scott Smith explains.
Simple and durable, a shaker style kitchen is typically one that has cabinets and doors with recessed panels and a framed profile.
Shaker style furniture originated from the Shaking Quakers in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. The original Shakers were master craftsmen who saw their work as a testament to God; timeless, simple, repetitive, versatile, and of the highest quality.
Today, the Shaker style popularity comes down to its versatility. It is suitable for every style from Scandi or coastal, to modern, contemporary or the more traditional Hamptons or provincial styles.
The thicker 60mm shaker style kitchen profile frame has always been a winner. But ask any Independent Cabinet Maker and they will now say slimline shakers are trending. We are talking profile frames less than 30mm and down as far as 10mm offering a stylish touch to the drawer or door.
Doors are available in a range of colours and surface finish options including matt, satin, semi-gloss or full gloss. American Oak veneer cabinetry is often wire brushed and then painted, allowing the natural timber grain to show through.
Alternatively, 2-pac kitchens are expertly painted in deep blues, even black, bold green, and cool greys. Although people are becoming bolder by adding pops of colour to their kitchen, the white Shaker kitchen with black handles remains a firm favourite.
While most kitchens feature one handle design, the Shaker style kitchen often mixes it up, finished with a combination of timeless cup or bin handles and solid round knobs. The cup or bin handles are used on drawers below the benchtop while the solid round knobs are used on cabinetry above the bench. However, the use of silver, gold, or brass, which is having a huge re-surgence, for Shaker kitchen handles and matching tapware is not uncommon.
When choosing a benchtop, with so many materials available, it can be hard to figure out which will best suit your needs and budget. Are you looking for a durable workspace that is low maintenance such as laminate or would you rather make a statement in style with marble or reconstituted stone.
When it comes to the splashback, nothing beats the traditional subway tile laid in a brick pattern. They work wonderfully with most kitchen designs and never seem to go out of fashion. However, for a modern touch, glass and mirrored splashbacks have made a comeback.
To the Shakers excessive ornamentation and decoration were considered pretentious and deceitful, so their designs were simple, even minimalist. To finish off your styling nothing says classic shaker kitchen like potted herbs or flowers on your benchtop and a nice smelling handwash by your sink.
As seen in GT Magazine, July 2021
