The ‘Shaker kitchen’ a hugely popular style of cabinetry continuing to grow, with some of the biggest names in kitchen design basing their entire brand concept around this style. But are these cabinets really Shaker at all? What is the Mission style and how to the two differ? Here we dispel some of the myths.
Shaker style furniture came about in the 1700’s. The ‘Shakers’ a religious group became known for the high quality and robustness of their furniture. As they believed decoration was offensive to god, the Shakers handmade kitchens where utilitarian and simplistic in style.
Shaker style can be identified with the round wooden knobs, tapered legs and subtle curves. Popular woods for a Shaker bespoke kitchens; maple, pine or cherry. You wouldn’t find veneers or inlay in a Shaker style cabinet as these were left out to showcase their humble lifestyles. Graduated drawers are another shaker staple, with the largest drawer at the bottom.
The Mission style cabinet came about much later in the 1900’s, with the arrival of the arts and craft movement. The movement was all about bringing cabinet making back from the factories, to the maker. New York furniture maker Joseph McHugh one of the first to introduce this style, with a range of beautiful handmade kitchens of exceptional quality, celebrating simplistic, rustic furniture design.
Whilst still plain and functional Mission style furniture is all about exceptionally high quality craftmanship. Straight lines and parallel slats give the visual appearance of strength. Uniform lines can be tedious to create but reflect the true appreciation for craftsmanship that Mission style bespoke kitchens furniture is known for.
The mission style usually features a grained wood with a darker stain, oak is popular, however the straight lines and flat planes in this style of furniture highlight the natural grains found in the wood, paying homage to natures spoils and the cabinetry material. Mission hardware is also distinct from that of Shaker as the handles and knobs are often black and metal.
In Summary both the Mission and Shaker bespoke kitchens style are renowned for quality and longevity within the home. Both a celebration of handmade kitchens and exceptional craftsmanship, they each feature clean lines and simplistic design. The Shaker loved for its humble, paired back style with the later Mission style interpretation which is slightly more bold, with an element of added grandeur.
