The only ornamentation on american shaker furniture was provided by

It would be provided by the natural grain of the wood.

I guess these were the choices:
a. inlays. 
b. the natural grain of the wood. 
c. delicate carvings. 
d. turned arms and legs.

Shaker furniture was made of cherry, maple or pine lumber. Drawer pulls for dressers or other furniture were enhanced by the beauty of natural wood and their special finishing.

Emotional appeal, plain folks, and bandwagon

Iwould say "important'". fashion is a form of art and self expression and is the 7th most important industry in the world and americans find fashion to be a big deal.