Shaker Style Wood Furniture
If you ask someone of their impressions regarding Amish furniture, chances are they will describe to you Amish craftsmen using hand-tools to craft a sturdy, simple, yet elegant piece. In fact, they may have a distinct visual in their minds of what a typical Amish furnishing looks like. In all likelihood, they are visualizing a Shaker Style furnishing. Along with Mission Style furniture, Shaker Style Wood Furniture has come to define the Amish “look”.
The Carlisle Chair features a classic Shaker style
Like its cousin, the Mission style, Shaker furniture boasts a rich history. The Christian group known as the Shakers, distant kin to the Amish, fled European persecution to settle in communities on American soil. They crafted chairs for their large religious gatherings before the quality of their craftsmanship began to gain local attention. Soon, their woodworking became well-known and the “Shaker style” was born.
Shaker style furniture possesses a simple style, with clean construction, smooth angles, and virtually no wood accents. However, gentle curves such as tapered legs or curved slats add a touch of grace that creates timeless beauty. Today, there are many variations of the Shaker style, including traditional Shaker styles and modern, elegant Shaker styles featuring subtle wood accents.
