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.
Love the look of mid-century modern furniture but do not wish to have it throughout your entire house? Good news—mid-century modern furniture is mixable. Here’s how. Making the Most With Mid-Century Modern Mid-century modern furniture, (not to be confused with contemporary style which is furniture that adapts to reflect current trends) has grown immensely popular and just keeps on going. Mid-century mod combines versatile and simple with a little spunk and brings on that retro… How to Create A Mid-Century Modern Mix
They’re pretty. They’re graceful. They’re supportive. That’s right we’re talking arms—dining chair arms and the reasons we love them and the reasons we don’t. When you’re ready to furnish a dining room for a new home or you’re finally getting rid of the set you’ve had for decades and treating yourself to a new one, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. There are the styles, the space, and the question of where… All About Arms: Things to Remember About Dining Chairs
What do you do when you love two styles? Does the smooth, uncluttered minimalist look appeal to you, yet the cozy richness brought on by some accessories call to you as well? Here’s some great news for 2019. You don’t have to be one or the other—you can be both. On your own terms…. Here’s how…. Cozy Minimalist Characteristics How to Begin: The Path to Minimalism Interior design has been carving a path to a… Fresh Start: Becoming A Cozy Minimalist
The ottoman has lived long and prospered as a popular accessory for living rooms and dens. Credited as a “backless seat” ottomans are most often paired with other furniture and used as footrests. Their duties include serving as additional seats or even mini table tops. Then along came the pouf. The pouf, an upholstered soft cushion, is also a popular pick for resting the feet on in living rooms and for serving as a mini… The Ottoman Vs. the Pouf
Silent Night, Holy Night, May we all recycle right, For Christmas comes with wrapping that thrills, Let’s keep it out of the nearest landfill, Sort each recyclable piece, Sort each and every piece. With holiday time comes giftwrap, packages, bows, dinnerware, ornaments and cards. Among these materials are some great, and some not so great, opportunities to recycle. While we’re making strides to recycle as much as we can, there are questions that come up about… Recycling Christmas
There’s something quite cozy about sleigh beds. Displaying curvy headboards and footboards with gorgeous scrolling, early sleigh bed styles were quite extravagant. They have developed simpler surfaces and structure over time. This showcase of Amish beds displays the styles and details available in modern sleigh beds. The Amish Ornament Wood Frame Sleigh Bed Sleigh Bed Style Simply put, sleigh beds resemble the curves of an old-fashioned sleigh. The headboard and footboard scroll and flow with… Sleigh Beds Ring, Are You Listening?
With so many great books out there and so little time, too many titles just pass us by. With a shared love for reading, a small group of us here at DutchCrafters formed a book club called Books Without Veneers, a take on Work Without Veneers, which represents for our company commitment to authentic, solid work of substance. Books Without Veneers is determined not to let all those great books get away. Each title we… Christmas Gift Book List
The Grazing Table Craze These days it’s the grazing table that’s at the center of dinner party mingling. Just as much fun as the sit-down dinner, grazing tables offer a variety of delicious delectables arranged with props. They add decoration to your party and define your signature style. A tantalizing grazing table by lushplatters.com. What is a Grazing Table? Roman and medieval feasts involved spreading out the finest fare on tables for consumption, so the… Planning a Grazing Table this Holiday Season?
Table aprons. What are they? What is their purpose? How do they help the kitchen or dining room table do its job? Table aprons, (also called table skirts or skirting) are wood extensions that sit right below the surface of the table. Picture your table top and the part that hangs down from it. This is the table’s “apron” or “skirt.” Aprons can range from 1 ½” to 3”. Aprons can display different carvings that… Who Wears the Apron in Your Kitchen?
What Is a Lazy Susan? A Lazy Susan is a rotating tray that’s used on a table or counter to share food. It can be made of wood, glass or plastic, and it is normally round. American Made Tabletop Lazy Susan The Invention of the Lazy Susan The Lazy Susan descends from the dumbwaiter and the original inventor is hard to determine. The path to the creation of the Lazy Susan is unclear, and its… History of the Lazy Susan
Pumpkin time has come a calling. When the first cool wisps of fall enter the picture, it’s easy to shift the mind to thoughts of the season and with that come pumpkins everywhere. Pumpkin Facts from History.com Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, and they are fruits. Pumpkins are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. Pumpkins are a good source of Vitamins A and B, potassium, protein and iron.… Homemade Amish Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe
What is Varnish and What Does It Do? Varnish is a transparent hard coating that provides protection for solid wood furniture. It is applied over the stain on wood furniture. As the varnish protects the wood from moisture, sunlight and dirt, it allows the wood’s natural colors and grain patterns to be seen and appreciated and creates the most natural appearance. Varnish is always recommended for inside furniture for an added layer of protection and… The Look of Low Sheen Varnish
Right up there with what size bed and which washing machine is another major home furniture decision: What color should the living room sofa be? 3 Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing A Sofa Color You’ll be looking at it every day for years. Your family and friends will see it and use it too. Consider the style of your home and your color scheme. If you’re starting with an empty room, it’s easier… How to Choose a Sofa Color
The Birth of French Country Furniture During the 1600s, King Louis the XIV of France was on a mission. He was determined that France would become a style leader revered by all and embarked on renovating the Palace of Versailles. Only the best were employed to create, design and build for what was to be the most luxurious palace ever seen. As time went by, the masses fell in love with the lavish stylings of… The History of French Country Furniture
What is Lagom? Lagom is about living in moderation. Lagom is when work, stress and happiness are all in balance and things don’t have to be perfect. Lagom is about being satisfied with what you have, making the most of what you have, and finding the middle road between too much and too little and following it. In her book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living, author Linnea Dunne translates Lagom to mean “not… Finding Balance with Lagom
