Category: Furniture Tips

The Windsor Chair Series: The Types, The Features and the Undying Appeal

Beth Rice 28/06/2018

Since 1710 the Windsor chair has been charming us. Originally used as an outdoor garden seat, the comfort and form of the Windsor chair endures. The spindles, the seat and the unique features all contribute to our fascination with Windsor furniture. Fitting in with colonial, cottage and country furniture, the Windsor’s got staying power. In this three-part Windsor Chair Series, we’re examining Windsor styles, the features that make them great and the undying appeal that… The Windsor Chair Series: The Types, The Features and the Undying Appeal

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Why Table and Drawer Slides Make a Difference

Beth Rice 21/06/2018

When you need to add leaves to the dining table, do you always need someone to help you? Does the table open in one smooth motion or is there some tugging involved? What about your dresser drawers? Ever closed them too quickly and they slammed shut and woke the baby? These things have a lot to do with the type of table or drawer slide that’s in your furniture. They really do make a difference.… Why Table and Drawer Slides Make a Difference

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The Great Leather Debate and Other Upholstery Options

Beth Rice 07/06/2018

To leather or not to leather? That’s a sound question to ask when it comes to choosing upholstery for your new furniture. New technology has custom fabrics making great gains, promising new durability and ease of cleaning like never before. What leather products do we offer at DutchCrafters and how do they compare to our fabric offerings? Let’s take a look. DutchCrafters offers the following selections that come from Heartland Fabrics located in Topeka, Indiana… The Great Leather Debate and Other Upholstery Options

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Buffet vs. Sideboard vs. Hutch: What’s the Difference?

Seth Carter 10/05/2018

No, you’re not a rule breaker. You might have a sideboard in your dining room or a buffet in your living room, since they’re very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably, especially depending on where and how they’re used. 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… Buffet vs. Sideboard vs. Hutch: What’s the Difference?

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How to Select a Bathroom Vanity

Beth Rice 26/04/2018

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

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Avoiding the Cracks: Why Plywood is Used in Solid Wood Furniture

Beth Rice 29/03/2018

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

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Worn and Weathered with Worm Holes: The Nature of Rustic and Reclaimed Furniture

Beth Rice 22/03/2018

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 Rustic Hickory Panel Bed. If smooth, shiny and seamless are what you’re after, then rustic and reclaimed may not be for you.… Worn and Weathered with Worm Holes: The Nature of Rustic and Reclaimed Furniture

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Adding Color and Finishing to Solid Wood Furniture

Beth Rice 08/03/2018

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

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Protecting Solid Wood Furniture: Managing Humidity and Dryness

Beth Rice 08/02/2018

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

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Solid Wood Furniture Storage Solutions

Beth Rice 25/01/2018

With minimalism a growing 2018 trend for indoor décor, solid wood furniture full of storage options is becoming a must have. Amish furniture provides popular picks to use throughout the house, with custom options to help you stay clutter free and organized in style. The Easy to Stock Storage Bench For a versatile storage bench that fits foyer, family room or foot of the bed, the Amish Ripley Storage Bench with Drawers and Baskets is… Solid Wood Furniture Storage Solutions

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Out of the Box: The History of Bread Box

Milca Rivera 18/01/2018

Bread. Let’s all take a moment and daydream about our favorite kind… Now I forgot what I was going to say… Just kidding! But, there is just nothing like a freshly baked, crunchy-crusted, squishy-centered, moist, easy-to-break-apart loaf of bread. However, and especially since I live in humid Florida, it’s difficult to keep bread fresh and mold-free for more than a few days. At my house, we store it in the freezer. While this helps it… Out of the Box: The History of Bread Box

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A Chat with the Windsors

Beth Rice 30/11/2017

A comfortable and functional seat, the story of the Windsor chair dates back to the start of the 18th century. To tell the tale accurately, our content writer and FAQ video host Beth Rice asked three members of the Windsor family to share a little bit of their history. Beth Rice: I’d like to welcome Bow Back Windsor, Fanback Windsor, and Comb-Back Windsor, three variations of the original Windsor chair, to our panel today. The… A Chat with the Windsors

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Standard Chair Heights and Dining Table Size Guide

Beth Rice 11/10/2017

Selecting the right chair height and dining table size is vital to the perfect dining experience. The following guide breaks down standard chair seat heights and how to determine if a dining table will fit your chairs. We’ll address other frequently asked questions like “How many people does a 48-inch table seat?”  Choosing a Dining Table Size When shopping for a dining table, consider the following first: Second, to get an idea of the maximum… Standard Chair Heights and Dining Table Size Guide

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How to Protect Solid Wood Furniture When Moving

Beth Rice 28/09/2017

There’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a piece of solid wood furniture damaged during a move. We treasure our solid wood heirlooms for their beauty and the generations of stories they bring along with them. Here are some tips on how to protect solid wood furniture when moving to ensure it arrives at its new home safely. You can use this checklist as a guide for taking inventory, labeling, wrapping, and securing your solid wood furniture so… How to Protect Solid Wood Furniture When Moving

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How to Mix Wood Types and Finishes

Beth Rice 13/09/2017

Gone are the days when all the solid wood furniture in a room had to match each other and the floor. Mixing wood types and finishes livens up a room and adds interest. Whether you’ve inherited some beautiful solid wood furniture or you’re building your home furniture collection piece by piece, here are some tips on how to mix wood furniture. Identify the Undertones While the finish of each piece in a room doesn’t need… How to Mix Wood Types and Finishes

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