While I’ve written about Shaker peg board before, a trip to two Shaker communities (the Mt. Lebanon, NY and Hancock, MA communities are close enough to visit in a single trip, but go to the Hancock community if you only have time for one) gave me a chance to get close up with several samples of original and reproduction

The peg board I saw on this trip was either three or three-and-a-half inches wide and featured a round over or beaded detail along its edges. When it was painted (and the colors in use at the Hancock community were a revelation!), both the board and pegs were painted. Painting both board and pegs might help the board recede into the background, but I think I prefer a painted board and natural pegs.