Handcrafted Shaker Oval Boxes & Carriers

Shaker Boxes by Barry Horton

Lauréat. prix Départemental SEMA des Métiers d'art 2005

Shaker Peg Rails, Boxes, Furniture & Shaker Woodenware by Barry Horton Welcome!

Welcome to my shaker shop. Here you will find a select range of exclusive shaker furniture and Shaker style woodenware including iconic peg rails and boxes. Every Item is completely hand made, here in my own workshop, using only locally grown timber. The Shaker style pegs for my oak peg rails are individually hand turned, one at a time on a lathe. They are then threaded to screw full depth into the coat rails. Dimensions, form and threading style are careful replications of know original pegs. I believe my Shaker shop is the only place you will find this authentic Shaker detail. As you would imagine this makes a much stronger peg rail, especially important for coat rails in a busy household. Now take a close look at my faithful interpretation of the distinctive swallowtail fingers of my shaker boxes. These are all hand carved with a knife, the angle of the bevel changing along the length of the finger. An important and authentic detail sometimes overlooked. These are just two of the reasons that allow me to say all my work is uniquely handmade.

This intimacy with all my work makes it easy for me to place a full lifetime guarantee (mine that is) on all your purchases, couldn’t resist the humour there. Never the less this is a serious undertaking for me. The peg rails, oval boxes and other items featured in my online shop are not looked upon as accessories. Rather, they are treated as smaller pieces of furniture in their own right and as such are made and finished to the same high standard. Not down to a price.

"the basket arrived today safe and sound.
I couldn't believe how beautiful it is: a masterpiece"

You can find DIY Oak and Maple Shaker Pegs By Clicking Here

"Your pegs were received this morning and I am over the moon with them. What a very personal and fantastic service you provide also"

Coat Rails/Peg Rails are available in various styles

and colours by Clicking Here

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Woodworking Courses:

Would you like to make your own Shaker chair or Oval Shaker boxes? If the answer is yes, then join me for one of my 4/5 day summer courses here in the centre of France, surrounded by unspoilt countryside. Flexible curriculum, tailored to suite debutante or experienced.

Click here for more details!

A Few Words about Peg Rails.

Shaker bedroom, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, note the use of peg rails (courtesy:Tom Allen wikipedia)

Shaker Peg Rails for the Shakers, were not simply coat rails, they were indeed useful for hanging hats and coats, however they also served other important functions. The Shakers fixed peg rails to every wall, much in the same way as the Victorians fixed picture rails. This served as an important architectural feature that broke-up otherwise plain walls into pleasing dimensional sections. This feature became iconic and is one that instantly denotes the Shaker Style of decoration. The Peg rails also proved useful for hanging candle sconces, small cupboards and specially adapted hanging shelves; in addition when cleaning, they proved a useful place for hanging up chairs. This left the floors clear and cleaning more efficient. Depending on which room they were situated, the peg rails had different finishes and colours applied, in accordance with the millennial laws.

Employing peg rails in the same way that the Shakers did, is an ideal way to create a Shaker theme. Our Peg Rail Kits are especially suited for a project like this, as the edges at the end of each rail are left sharp to ensure a crisp joint, when several are butted together. Even if it's not possible to place peg rails on every wall, used singularly they still evoke a strong design statement and add the right accent to your theme; especially when teamed with our Shaker Coat Hangers.

Shaker Candle Stand

I know, like me, you are probably increasingly concerned about our environment, so it’s reassuring to know that all the timber that I use is not only grown within a few kilometres of my workshop, but also in properly managed and sustainable forests. (Please ask for details if you would like to promote and support forest care yourself) Also my fine hand rubbed finishes and polishes, are as far as possible, natural products, many of them I prepare myself. Glue, used on my furniture is also organic. The old-fashioned scotch type, heated in a double boiler. This may not be of immediate benefit to you but a restorer, perhaps working for one of your descendents, will be extremely grateful for it.

I devote an exceptional amount of time and effort to the quality of the final finish and detail, making sure that your purchase will not only immediately delight you; it will continue to give you pleasure for many happy years to come. The problem is how can you judge this quality for yourself? The convenience of internet technology can let you look into my workshop but it can’t let you experience the sensual feel of hand worked timber or smell the rich scent of different woods and polishes. I know and understand how very important it is for you to use all your senses when judging the quality of something, especially craft work. It can be difficult, worrying and perhaps even stressful making choices when you can’t. I don’t pretend to have a satisfactory solution to this dilemma and know it will be a long time before anyone does. In the meantime, maybe the next best thing to you experiencing these sensations for yourself would be to hear from someone who has. So for your reassurance I’ve printed some testimonials at the bottom of this page. Just scroll down.

Click image to enlarge

Shaker Rocking Chair and Shaker Side Chair Handcrafted by Barry.

View the seating tape chart here.

Here You Can See What Some of Our Customers Have Said!!........

"My package arrived yesterday, and I am thrilled with my Shaker box! What beautiful workmanship! Thank you for the extra care taken in packing to avoid damage in shipment. I purchased the box as a Christmas present for my best friend and I can't wait to see her expression. Thank you again for all your help."

"My beautiful basket arrived today. I know that the beauty of the woodwork will add greatly to my needlework piece."

"The boxes arrived only a few moments ago. I derive some small pleasure out of knowing that there are still people in the world who possess the patience and perseverance to create such works of lasting beauty and value. Please tell Barry how delighted we are with his work."

“I don't recall if I contacted you and told you how much we love the peg rails that Barry made for us. They are beautiful! They look great on our walls. Thanks again.”

“We got it………and it’s perfect. Thank you”

“The peg-rail arrived this morning,……………. It looks really smart I am glad I made the effort to find someone who make nice oak ones………………..”

“The boxes arrived just in time for my wife’s birthday (it is her present) – perfect. They are absolutely wonderful. As an amateur carpenter myself I truly appreciate the skill and care that goes into these beauties. What is more important is that ……………… (my wife) is really thrilled. She teaches interior design and therefore knows a lot about the history of the Shakers and their talents – her comment was “Those Shakers would have been proud of these”, so need I say more.”

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