Shaker style kitchens are a popular design option for people who love rustic surroundings but want something simpler than a “Country” or “Southwestern” motif. If you are remodeling your kitchen and want an old-fashioned look with clean lines, this may be the right choice for you. Here are some of the features you can expect to see in a kitchen built on the Shaker model.

Straight Edges

A Shaker cabinet usually has a light to mid-toned finish (think maple, cherry, or white oak). The door panels may feature a recessed center surrounded by a rectangular frame of wood slats. There are no fancy curves anywhere in the wooden design of these cabinets. Everything is focused on function and sturdy serviceability.

Smooth Surfaces

Stone countertops make an excellent pairing with the plain wood of a Shaker inspired kitchen. Pull knobs, handles, and faucets in a matte finish (like brushed nickel or stainless steel) also work well. The flooring should be wood for a fully authentic look, but a muted stone or tile floor is also suitable.

Natural Accents

Any modern appliances should be tucked away out of sight so that the beauty found in the quality craftsmanship will be more apparent. Natural lighting works best with this kitchen style, so a discrete tubular skylight might be a perfect fit here for daytime use. Light fixtures can be selected in metal finishes that match the hardware on the cabinets to make it blend with the rest of the room.

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Tags: Kitchens

This entry was posted on Friday, April 23rd, 2010 at 4:41 pm and is filed under Home Improvement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.