Jin Kuramoto revives Shaker style for Arflex's Root chair

Japanese designer Jin Kuramoto referenced furniture of the 18th century to create a Shaker-style chair for furniture brand Arflex.

Designed to capture the "history and charm" of Shaker design, the Root chair features a minimal wooden framework and comes with or without curved arms.

Its minimal appearance is complemented by an upholstered seat in a range of muted colours, and the chair is available in several finishes.

"The culture of Shaker is focused around religion, philosophy and observation," Kuramoto told Dezeen. "Many designers have been creating Shaker-inspired furniture by collaborating with various brands over several generations, every time enriching the Shakers' heritage."Shaker furniture – which was made by a religious sect founded in England in the 18th century – is known for its minimal appearance, with the ladder-backed chair becoming a particularly notable design. The process of making was considered an act of prayer, and the furniture was intended as part of a simple lifestyle.

"I didn't try to redesign only an iconic shape and style," added the designer. "I believe that the philosophy of Shakers, that removes decoration from life, will fit into our modern way of thinking by making our daily lives more virtuous."

"I designed the Root chair by removing decoration, therefore enhancing the beauty of the framework," he added.

Kuramoto also turned to history for his Nadia furniture collection, which is made using traditional techniques derived from shipbuilding.Shaker-inspired furniture seems to be undergoing something of a resurgence in popularity, with New York hosting an exhibition of 32 designs shown next to the original artefacts they reference.

The "common sense" approach of the Shaker movement also inspired London designer Torsten Sherwood to create a range of wooden furniture, while Shanghai studio Neri&Hu have similarly modelled designs on the Shakers' "simple" and "honest" philosophy.