If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then you’ll want to make yours look like it was chosen with love – in which case you should look no further than a Shaker kitchen. Understated, subtle elegance that also packs an arresting impact is one of the hallmarks of a Shaker kitchen, the original style of which is a legacy of 18th century English carpenters who took their skills across the pond to America.
It is now possible to get the traditional Shaker look, but with contemporary touches and modern twists. This creates stunning kitchen suites in which the old meets new, accompanied by up-to-the-minute appliances and accessories. Read on for more detailed descriptions of fitted Shaker kitchens.
Traditional looks
photo@Debbie Blumencranz
The Shaker Classic Ivory – also available in Oak – exudes a timeless and classic elegance. Classic Ivory and Oak and Georgian Ivory and Oak give you the best of both these stylish worlds, with pure white and glass-fronted cabinets, plus quaint parquet flooring. If you wish to go for all-out traditional, you will be happiest with the colour-burst and bespoke handsomeness of the Arts & Crafts kitchen, which incorporates the quintessentially British elements of traditional craftsmanship with romantic touches that the style is named for. Milford Ivory offers a classic beauty with curved cabinets beneath the central island and Edwardian tap faucets.
Modern styles
photo@wamhouse
The Shaker Classic is a modern masterpiece, with its heavy-duty granite worktops and oak finish. Contrasting in tone but equally up-to-the-second modern are Fusion Ivory and Fusion White, both of which featuring dazzling minimalist units and sleek integration of appliances. These kitchens have a high-gloss finish without ever being cold, offering a warm space for conviviality at the centre of any modern home.
Hybrid styles
photo@whallwood
Combining the understated but substantial elegance of the more traditional kitchen and the spare chic of the minimalist designs, there are several Shaker kitchens that can offer you the best of everything. The Shaker Twist is bright and warm with subtly chamfered panels. Washington Cream has deep sinks and tough surfaces – a kitchen for serious cooks – while also displaying a modern and welcoming style for your eager diners to relax in. The Washington Ivory Country features facsimiles of the White House portico columns incorporated in its design, bringing a touch of Americana to an otherwise traditionally British-style kitchen.
Integrated appliances
Essential for a modern kitchen, and invaluable in terms of maximising space, is the integrated appliance. Shaker offer not only integrated hobs, but also built-in ovens, fridges, freezers and dishwashers. For that extra touch of luxury and nod to the good life, there are built-in wine coolers and coffee makers – which even include a frothing nozzle for home-made cappuccinos.