Beth Rice is a content writer for DutchCrafters Amish Furniture. She is the primary author of Timber to Table blog posts and has spent the last several years researching and providing knowledge on wood types, furniture styles, and design trends. As a busy mother of two, Beth understands the value of furniture in helping create a welcoming home for family and friends, and often writes on the ways our furniture can help support that. Beth is a published author with a gift for identifying the special moments in everyday life. Most recently, she had a short story included in Chicken Soup for the Soul's "My Amazing Mom" edition. Since 2012, the DutchCrafters Timber to Table blog has been providing customers and other readers with furniture and interior design tips, information about the Amish, and woodworkers’ stories.
My parents adopted my sister and me when they were in their mid-forties, and my grandfather O’Connor was the only grandparent I really remember from my childhood. My grandfather died when I was 8. My fondest memory of my Grandpa was this: catching sight of him walking on my way home from school on the days he came over for lunch. I walked to and from school every day. It seemed like it was 20… Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day
What kind of study space works best for you? What spot do you like to settle in to read, concentrate, or get some work done? I think a place conducive to studying or working differs by personality. While some need their study space to have complete quiet in order to concentrate, there are many who can have the TV on or listen to a podcast while hitting the books or working on a project. It… Creating a Study Space for Great Thinkers
When it’s time to order new Amish furniture for our showroom in Sarasota, Florida, DutchCrafters’ Vice-President Linse Miller is faced with lots of decisions. With access to over 150 Amish woodshops that make gorgeous Amish furniture and thousands of custom options at her fingertips, where does she begin? While chatting with Linse about customizing new dining room chairs for the showroom, three things became clear: her understanding of custom furniture, her desire to supply customers… Fresh from the Woodshop: New Dining Room Chairs at DutchCrafters
What is a finial? What’s a tongue and groove back? What do they contribute to the style and function of solid wood furniture? And what’s the difference between an armoire and a chifforobe? We’re taking a look at some terms we often use in the Amish furniture world but that could use some clarification for those not studying furniture every day. One thing we can guarantee, they’re all important and all have purpose, because the… 10 Amish Furniture Terms and What They Mean
National Lighthouse Day is celebrated every year on August 7. Lighthouses are a symbol of safety, and this day celebrates the guiding light they have provided for centuries from our shorelines. Lighthouses are structures that give off light from a system of lamps and lenses that are used to navigate those at sea or on inland waterways. According to the Lighthouse Directory, there are more than 18,600 lighthouses worldwide. On August 7, 1789, the Federal… Happy National Lighthouse Day
Simple. Practical. Hardworking. These are three principles behind the design of farmhouse furniture. The Inspiration Behind Farmhouse Furniture Farmhouse design grew from the farmer’s lifestyle. Just think of the farmer: Up at dawn (or earlier) working as the sun rises and sets, returning home after a full day’s work to wash up, eat a meal to replenish, relax a little and retire for the evening. Simply put, farmhouses are homes built on farmland that the… All About Farmhouse Furniture
It’s time for outdoor parties. Summertime brings on the grill, the pool, and friends and family joining you in your backyard. Want to dress things up a bit while keeping costs down? Here are 3 easy DIY summer crafts to brighten your outdoor party or gathering. Pool Noodle Garland For the barbeques and pool parties, this pool noodle garland adds color and décor without costing much or taking much time to make. Items Needed: Instructions:… Easy DIY Crafts for Summer Outdoor Parties
If there’s one thing I love about summer, it’s shoving some new books into my beach bag and getting lost in a good story. For vacation, beach time, a plane ride, rainy afternoons and the reading time you try to steal right before going to bed, here are some recommendations for your summer reading list from our family here at DutchCrafters. Recommendations For Your Summer Reading List From Kari Jo: The Three Body Problem Trilogy… For Your Summer Reading List
American made. Just the sound of those words can connect us to a feeling of pride. With so many businesses outsourcing to cut costs, our hats are off to the ones that keep the wheels turning here in the USA. Here are 8 American made products. Which ones do you use? Did you know you were supporting a brand that’s made in America? CRAYOLA Crayons Colorful and reliable Crayola crayons. I remember having a Crayola… 8 American Made Products and the Top Reasons to Buy Them
Here at DutchCrafters we deal with a lot of maple, brown maple wood in particular. The maple family, while beautiful, is a cast of characters that can cause a bit of confusion. Brown Maple Confusion If brown maple is so durable, why is it called soft maple? Is it a good choice for wood furniture or not? Is it harder than cherry? And what is soft maple then? What about hard maple? Are the maples… Meet the Maples: Facts About Brown Maple
I can’t take my dog to work, and I’ll tell you why in just a moment. Friday, June 21 is Take Your Dog to Work Day and Monday, June 17 was Take Your Cat to Work Day. And for bearded dragons, birds, geckos, hamsters, guinea pigs, and all the others, the entire week of June 17 through the 21 was set aside this year for Take Your Pet to Work Week. But, I can’t take… Why I Can’t Take My Dog to Work on Take Your Dog to Work Day
What’s the best advice your dad ever gave you? Have you shared his wisdom with someone else yet? What story did he tell you, or what memory of him sticks out in your mind? Yes, Father’s Day has come around again and has us thinking about dads. Dads, grandfathers, stepdads, fathers-in-law and all of them, and we’ve rounded up some good “dad advice.” Hope you’ll add yours to this list at the bottom. It might… The Best Advice My Dad Ever Gave Me
How do you preserve the Number One go-to spot for relaxing when you’re short on space? We’re talking about the cozy support of the reclining chair that’s perfect for watching Netflix, reading on your Kindle, taking a nap or just getting away from it all. If you have a small living room, live in an apartment or want the perfect chair for your RV, there’s a solution. It’s called the wall hugger recliner. WHAT IS… Furniture that Saves Space: The Wall Hugger Recliner
Ever get confused by furniture styles? Contemporary style is not modern…is it? Traditional style furniture can also be called formal furniture…right? Transitional style furniture is a combination of what again? Figuring Out Furniture Styles There are many furniture styles out there. Your home space is unique to your tastes and your personal design and one style does not fit all. Exactly what constitutes contemporary or transitional can get confusing at times. We hope this little… Furniture Styles: Contemporary, Traditional and Transitional Style Furniture
We have something important to share with you about beds that use adjustable mattresses. Shopping for a bed that’s Amish made opens up a world of possibilities. You can choose the wood type and the stain. You can go platform, panel, or storage bed, and many of our woodworkers can make custom adjustments. But in order for delivery day of your new bed to be the most exciting and perfect day on the calendar, we… How to Choose a Bed for an Adjustable Mattress
