Shaker Furniture: Shaker inspired handcrafted furniture

Reviewed by:
Rosemary Thornton

Bissell Fine Woodworking's furniture is inspired by traditional Shaker designs. Like the stuff made a century ago, this furniture is simple, beautiful, functional -- and designed to last a lifetime, says company owner Richard Bissell.

While the Shakers were famous for their ladderback chairs, Bissell prefers to make Windsor chairs. His reason: Windsor chairs, he says, are much more comfortable and durable.

Bissell's wood of choice is cherry, but he also builds using maple, oak and walnut. No plywood or veneered wood is used. Drawer sides and bottoms and the slides are made of hardwood.