The shake down: Sourcing the ingredients for your dream Shaker kitchen

"Whatever is fashioned, let it be plain and simple and good," was a Shaker saying that summed up the passion they had for simplicity, and when working with wood the Shakers often went for large, bold pieces that were sourced locally.

The Shakers tended to use pine, maple and cherry, but if you have got room in your kitchen for a breakfast bar or a kitchen island you can top it with woods like oak, ash or walnut and still create a distinctive Shaker look.

If you really want to uphold the spirit of the Shakers you should head to your local timber supplier and ask for a piece of wood that is native to your region, because authentic Shaker kitchens are all about reflecting the traditions and craftsmanship of their locality.

Custom-made, handcrafted pieces of local wood used to create items, such as wood-turned knobs on cupboard doors or handmade pieces like fruit bowls and bread bins, will elevate your kitchen and enhance its character.

The subtle, practical use of metal is another staple of Shaker kitchen design and brass has emerged in modern takes on Shaker style, though it is unclear how commonly it was used back in the 18th century when tin was likely to have been more popular.

Brass taps atop Belfast sinks contribute to a wonderfully rustic feel and complement other elements of your Shaker-style traditional kitchen, and you can source them easily online or even have them custom made by an ironmonger if you want to go a step further.

Pendant lampshades with brass interiors bounce warm light around your Shaker kitchen and are readily available online, while appliances like kettles and toasters with brass-led designs will help to build out your aesthetic.

Perhaps the most distinctively Shaker use of brass is in cupboard door and drawer handles, where cup-style pull shells with antique or polished finishes provide a simple, solid, attractive solution that would have delighted the Shakers themselves. Order online or, again, visit an ironmonger if you can and have your handles made to order.

Shakers used natural plant dyes to make paints, and that meant the range of colours available to them was somewhat limited. These days, modern takes on Shaker style incorporate a broader spectrum of tones but red, light and dark blue, blue-green and warm yellow remain the original Shaker colours.

Use matt paint on units and features while keeping walls as neutral as possible for an authentic Shaker look. If you have a paint stockist nearby that supplies casein or milk paints, these products will produce a finish that most resembles the original Shaker style.

The Shakers used to say that beauty rests on utility, and keeping workspace clear of clutter is central to recreating their kitchen aesthetic.

Plate racks and mug hangers, hewn from the same types of wood as your worktops or other elements of your Shaker kitchen, will help you to keep crockery organised with an authentic look, and if you have items that won't fit in your cupboards you can invest in Shaker-style storage boxes.

Oval-shaped boxes with lids with a wicker construction were popular in the time of the Shakers, and can be used to store kitchen accessories or foodstuffs while making for an eye-catching feature.

When looking for additional items to complete your Shaker kitchen look, keep an eye out for beeswax candles like those that would have been used to light traditional 18th-century homes.

Old, country-style chairs can be repainted in Shaker colours and added to your room, and you could even add peg rails for hanging the chairs on while cleaning the floors. The Shakers were keen on everything having its place, so peg rails for coats, hats, brooms and the occasional hanging of chairs were popular.

Finally, consider open shelving rather than cupboards. Taking the doors off your units is a relatively quick and easy job and could really add to your kitchen's Shaker aesthetic.