The Shakers
The Shaker style is probably one of the best known of furniture styles, at least in the US. Original antique Shaker furniture is, of course, highly collectible and unafordable for most of us. However the general approach and design principles have influenced many manufactures and many people like to buy modern "Shaker style" furniture.
History
So who were the Shakers? They were a Christian movement that evolved from the English Quakers in the 18th century. Their official name was the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, which is rather a mouthful! Their acts of worship were accompanied by dancing and sometimes extreme trembling and shaking that led to their nickname.The Shakers arrived in America - via New York - in 1774 under the leadership of Ann Lee. They quickly became known for their celibacy, their ascetic approach to life and their work ethic.
Amongst other things they were prolific and skillful builders. Their designs - from the smallest piece of furniture to the largest building - followed the basic principles of simplicity and utility
which guided their lives.
Shaker Furniture
In keeping with their general aseticism, the Shakers rejected the concept of beauty for its own sake. A thing was beautiful if it did its job and was "fit for purpose". This approach was encapsulated in the phrase beauty through utility and that style is what we usually associate with the movement.In many ways this Shaker philosophy can be seen as a forerunner of the "form follows function" approach popularised by Louis Sullivan and later adopted by Modernists such as Le Corbusier.
Shaker furniture - whether in the bedroom or elsewhere - is thus simple and functional without any excess adornment. Clean lines and simplicity of materials are standard principles. For the Shakers, making furniture was in essence an act of worship, a physical expression of their faith, ideals and beliefs.
Although the Shakers themselves now number a mere handful the style they created remains popular with many companies selling furniture inspired by their ideas. For those with the requisite skills you can also buy plans and kits to assist in building your own.