The tone of the wood in the dwellings was dependent on the type of wood available in their region. Wood floors, furniture, and staircases were varnished to protect them from humidity and temperature fluctuations, but the Shakers did not use wood stain to enrich the natural color of the wood. Skylights directed extra light downward over wooden staircases, which eliminated the need for candles and lamps during daylight hours.
#Shaker type rocker with wooden pins windows
Rooms and hallways in the interiors of large dwelling houses, depended on “borrowed light.” By installing windows in interior walls between rooms, such as a dividing wall between two bedrooms, the Shakers cleverly directed illumination from well-lit rooms to dimmer ones within the dwelling. Daylight was their light of choice, and they came up with some resourceful ways of using it. With no decorations in their rooms, a single large window could create a halo-type effect as it radiated light to the rest of the room. In their mission to create utopian communities that replicated heaven on earth, the Shakers incorporated light into virtually everything they designed. This method of Shaker style construction prevented warping and gave the doors superior strength. Modern cabinet makers continue to follow the Shaker principle of five-piece construction-one piece for the flat door panel and four additional boards that form a frame on the face of the door. The simple cabinet door style introduced by the Shakers is still a favorite today among those wanting an unpretentious vibe. The traditional ladder-back chair was first popularized by the Shakers and then adapted by furniture makers all over the world. Remaining pieces of original Shaker furniture (for the most part in private collections and museums) are in exceptional condition, due to the superior craftsmanship that went into their construction. Their use of complicated dovetail joints and wooden peg assembly took extra time but set a high standard for quality construction. Simple ladder-back chairs, no-frills tables with square legs, solid wood cabinets, and well-built wardrobes were constructed using strong joinery techniques. The most enduring contribution the Shakers made to the world of design is utilitarian furniture with plain lines. Meeting houses were the largest structures in the communities, and in some Shaker villages, they were built in a circular design, featuring high interior ceilings, and painted all in white, outside and inside, to symbolize the purity of their faith. Many Shaker dwellings were framed from wood timbers, and featured shiplap siding, while others were constructed of brick and limestone. Interiors were divided into two nearly identical halves, each served by a separate staircase, because Shaker brothers lived on one side and Shaker sisters on the other. Everything the Shakers built was utilitarian and often balanced in design from one side to the other-for example, the two large fireplaces at opposite ends of the dwellings.
Shaker dwellings housed many residents and so were often quite large, reaching three and four stories in height and topped with simple gable roof lines. Shutters, when used, were built on the insides of dwellings, and were operable, to block out harsh sunrays or frigid winter drafts as necessary.
Every element of Shaker construction was functional. Shaker residences, called “dwelling houses,” borrowed their rectangular box design from federalist and Greek Revival architecture, but removed all traces of ornamentation-no columns, no wraparound porches, and no fancy millwork. Buildings, cabinetry, and furniture were intended to fulfill a need, rather than serve as décor. Their devout beliefs that simplicity, order, and neatness surpassed ornateness served as the foundation for their no-frills designs. In the midst of a quickly changing 19th Century, when mass production began to replace handcrafted quality, the Shakers remained firmly committed to superior workmanship. Their commitment to leading simple lives led to the development of the Shaker style, which features unadorned lines, unrivaled craftsmanship, and an assurance of quality. During the mid-1800s, Shaker communities dotted the New England landscape.
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