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.
No, you’re not a rule breaker. There’s a chance you might have a sideboard in your dining room or a buffet in your living room, since they’re very similar and the terms used to describe both are interchangeable. When it comes down to it, sideboards, buffets and hutches share the common goals of providing storage and offering a serving area or a display space. Here are the subtle differences that set them apart. LOCATION, LOCATION,… Buffet, Sideboard or Hutch–What’s the Difference?
As the use of eco-friendly furniture spreads, poly outdoor furniture is taking to yards, pools, patios and more in a big way. It’s a great feeling knowing you’re contributing to a healthier environment by investing in a product made with poly lumber. Known as a type of “miracle furniture,” poly outdoor furniture offers maximum durability, requires very little maintenance, and comes in a variety of styles. What is poly? Poly is also known as poly… Things You Can Get that are Made of Poly
From master bath to the kids’ sinks to the guest bath, bathroom vanities need to be ready for action. Used daily for washing and as storage and style elements, they offer a great way to dress up the bathroom. We’re taking you through the steps to choosing an Amish bathroom vanity to make sure you find the best fit, form, and function for your bathroom space. Start with Measurements Choosing a vanity will depend on… How to Select a Bathroom Vanity
Do you consider yourself a gadgeteer? Love kitchen tools and can’t get enough of them? Kitchen accessories make cooking chores easier and food prep more fun. While the Amish are no strangers to hard work, they certainly want to use their time as efficiently as possible. Here are some helpful Amish kitchen accessories along with a DIY project that puts an old whisk to good use! For Cookies-n-Pizza While your finger will still work just… Let’s Get Cooking: Fun Amish Kitchen Accessories
At the heart of tea time is the opportunity to relax and share a lovely drink, a few tasty treats and some time with loved ones. What could be better? Tea time can be formal or casual and can serve a large group or just a few people. It is often served mid to late afternoon. We’re taking a look at what to include on tea time tables with a few Amish dining tables to… What to Include on Your Tea Party Table
The popularity of the formal dining room is on the decline, as families are more content to eat and gather together in more casual ways. With conflicting schedules leaving many dining at different times, more homeowners are growing impatient with dining rooms taking up space. Elaborate kitchen islands, outdoor deck tables and living room coffee tables are becoming go-to spots for dining, socializing and entertaining, while the old formal dining room space is being put… Are We Done with Dining Rooms?
Wait a minute. You’re buying handcrafted, heirloom quality solid wood furniture. It is intended to last and look beautiful, but it’s costing you more. You’ve heard there’s a chance that there’s some plywood used in the building of solid wood furniture. Could this be right? Is this true? What’s the deal? The answer is yes, plywood is used even in the finest solid wood furniture. But there’s a very good reason for it. Simply put,… Avoiding the Cracks: Why Plywood is Used in Solid Wood Furniture
There will be holes. There will be marks. There will be imperfections. Rustic furniture and reclaimed furniture embrace the beauty of the natural and celebrate its flaws. This is solid wood furniture that exudes warmth with organic character that gives off a relaxing vibe as it provides a connection to the past. The Amish Wildwood Rustic Wood Panel Bed. If smooth, shiny and seamless are what you’re after, then rustic and reclaimed may not be for… Worn and Weathered with Worm Holes: The Nature of Rustic and Reclaimed Furniture
Alan Barkman is always one step ahead. On a recent visit to his woodshop in Ohio, our DutchCrafters team found it bustling with activity. At Barkman Furniture, Alan and his craftsmen use a blend of traditional woodworking techniques and state-of-the-art woodworking equipment. They remain devoted to their top two priorities when it comes to building Amish furniture: #1 is producing furniture of the highest quality. #2 is making sure it’s worthy of being handed down… What’s New at Barkman Furniture
Finish either makes a product or breaks a product. –Alan, Amish woodworker at the Mt. Eaton Woodshop in Dundee, Ohio The last steps to completing a piece of solid wood Amish furniture are applying the stain and finish. Finishing solid wood furniture is a combination of sanding, staining, and sealing that must be done with a careful eye, steady hand, and a good deal of patience. Stain and finish will enhance the color, protect the… Adding Color and Finishing to Solid Wood Furniture
The Amish woodshop that crafts solid wood dining chairs for the Prairie Collection is nestled in the heart of Amish country, Ohio. There, the talented Amish artisans, both men and women, take to their work producing solid wood chairs with care and precision, with each chair part handled by the craftsmen. The Prairie Collection features high quality Amish dining chairs, bar stools and benches in a variety of styles ranging from classic to contemporary. Here’s what… Amish Made Chairs from the Prairie Collection: The Habits of Handcrafting
Amish women are wives, mothers, homemakers and active members of their churches. They contribute to running households and making decisions for the home and family. Many Amish women branch out and work outside the home, creating their own businesses. It’s not unheard of for them to make and sell handcrafted items like quilts or to run restaurants, bakeries, or produce stands. Amish girls usually work until they get married. Many work in factories or furniture… Where the Women are in Amish Woodshops
In early January, I flew to Ohio with a team from DutchCrafters to take my first walk through an Amish woodshop. Why? Because to convey the quality and features that make DutchCrafters Amish Furniture stand out from all the other furniture out there requires a first-hand account. Amish woodworkers visit both our corporate offices and the DutchCrafters store regularly to share their new solid wood furniture designs, school us on their features and answer questions.… My First Walk Through an Amish Woodshop
A top concern for protecting solid wood furniture is managing the humidity and dryness that can affect it. Wood is a natural material that responds to its environment and some shrinking and swelling is to be expected. However, controlling the humidity and dryness is essential for preventing damage. Furniture damaged by unmanaged climate control is not due to a defect in the product. Perfectly crafted solid wood furniture can crack if subjected to harsh enough… Protecting Solid Wood Furniture: Managing Humidity and Dryness
In early January, five of us flew to Ohio to visit some of our woodworkers in Amish country. Our group included product team manager Scott, sales team interim manager Alex, sales team assistant manager Kari-Jo, furniture specialist Reagan, and me. We went to further build on our commitment to offer only authentic products, as well as to learn and bring back our new knowledge and observations to our work and the rest of the team… Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country
