Reno Rumble - Shaker Style

On top of the sudden death semi-final pressure, the Blue Tongues have been given the difficult task of creating a Shaker Style home for their homeowners. Whilst, Jess appears to have her head around the brief, Carly seems to be as new to this style as we were. Lucky for you, we have done our research so you can be an expert come judging next week.

Shaker Style originates from a 19th Century religious group, similar to the Amish, who were known for their simple standard of living. While only a handful of ‘Shakers’ themselves remain today, their design philosophy and furniture style is still very popular.

The Shaker’s main priority was always functionality, and Shaker Style will always steer away from unnecessary decoration. In addition, a strong importance has and will always be on a quality finish. One of the key characteristics of Shaker Style is its timeless furniture shapes. Ladder style chair backs, solid chests of drawers, four-posted beds, and door panelling on kitchen cabinetry are iconic to this style and as a general rule should be made of bare, cherry or maple wood.

Neutral tones, such as oatmeal, off-white, light grey, and beige are key to achieving this simplistic look. However, olive green, duck-egg blue and similar muted shades are still in keeping with this classic style. Opt for natural materials and fabrics such as wool, cotton and silk, and bring in subtle checks for a little interest.

Walls should be bare and muted, accented only by iconic Shaker Style wooden cabinets and the odd piece of simple artwork. Finally, accessories should be kept to a minimum and introduced for their functionality rather than look. The lack of clutter will keep the style beautifully simple.