Mother Ann Lee ( the founder of Shaker) told the Shakers to 'provide places for all your things, so that you may know where to find them at any time, day or night'.

The importance of order in the lives of the Shakers is aptly illustrated in their domestic arrangements. The evolution of case furniture, incorporating drawers and cupboards, began in the first decade of the nineteenth century as the communities grew and Family Dwelling houses required more room for storage.

Some units were free-standing, but large expanses of drawers and cupboards were also built into the interior of Dwelling houses, presenting a neat and orderly front. The Church Family house in Enfield, New Hampshire, boasted 860 drawers! Case furniture was constructed to store clothing, bed linen, towels and other textiles and the proportions were carefully thought out. The depth of drawers would vary according to their purpose and this variation meant that the overall visual effect was extremely pleasing, almost floating and gave some sense to the Shakers belief that the drawings for the furniture was carried down from heaven by angels.

A selection   of cabinets   for the kitchen and bathroom are available from www.firedearth.com

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