In Leslie Mann's and Judd Apatow's family kitchen, the Shaker kitchen reigns supreme, and their popularity is expected to rise in 2024. But what exactly are Shaker kitchens?
Instantly recognized by their timeless, uncomplicated designs featuring simple paneled doors and an abundance of natural materials, traditional Shaker kitchens are ubiquitous in homes throughout the world.
Shaker kitchens are renowned for their unfussy cabinetry, featuring clean lines and a simple recessed panel, which provides the perfect backdrop to define your own style.
However, the beauty of Shaker cabinetry was not just superficial. The Shakers – a religious group who arrived in America from England in 1774 – believed that God could see everything, even the back of a cabinet should look as good as the front. To reflect this craftsmanship, solid wood kitchen cabinets are constructed with strong dovetail joints for pieces that exude the Shaker ethos.
This family kitchen epitomizes the Shaker style. Nothing in the space is purely decorative, everything has a purpose. Pale cabinetry, with classic fielded doors, emphasizes the room’s original features, drawing the eye to the marble kitchen countertop and the worn wooden floor. It is through these natural and architectural elements that the character of the space is achieved, rather than through ostentatious cabinetry design.
With nature at its heart, a Shaker-style kitchen, similar to Leslie Mann's and Judd Apatow's, should celebrate the same raw materials that were used to construct your home, so make a feature of any wooden ceiling beams and stonework. These elements can then be paired with other natural finishes, such as stone and wood surfaces, which are a beautiful complement to a Shaker kitchen, and are also highly practical.
Continue the ethos of Shaker kitchen design into other aspects of your space. ‘There is an increasing appreciation that hardware can make a huge difference to the overall look of the kitchen, so it’s important to get it right,’ says Jonathan Britton, brand manager at House of Rohl. Brass hardware for your cabinetry handles is the perfect companion to a Shaker-style kitchen.
