This dresser is inspired by the work of Abner Allen, who was associated with the Enfield Shaker group based in Enfield, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. He shunned the vanity of veneers, and ostentatious ornamentation.
It’s fascinating to me that the enduring gift of a group of people whose main goal was to separate themselves from the rest of what they called the “world,” has been the simple gift of their unpretentious furniture. While they were determined to remain separate, they lured our spirits into their homes with humble, yet enchanting design.
In keeping with the historical background of this dresser, there’s no plywood used — it’s all pine and cherry for this project. As you see in the lower inset photo, the case and drawer fronts are fashioned from pine (a wood that’s used often in Shaker furniture). As somber as the Shakers were, they mostly used soulful colors such as blue, red, green, and yellows to adorn their furniture. The yellow milk paint used here on the dresser brings some cheer to the project. Combined
