Latest posts

Distressed Furniture: How Old Do You Want It to Look?

Beth Rice 06/02/2020

Furniture that’s weathered and worn can feel like it has a story to tell. Something aged like a dining table with nicks and worn edges that’s been loved and used feels familiar and welcoming. Coffee tables that show signs of enduring the kids’ coloring and nicks from Jenga spills indicate that they have been part of the family story for years. Furniture with some age to it develops its own character. Why Choose Distressing? Distressed… Distressed Furniture: How Old Do You Want It to Look?

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5 Things That Make an Amish Desk Chair Comfortable

Beth Rice 30/01/2020

While a desk is essential to supporting our work, we don’t sit in the desk. It’s understandable that significant funding can be put into the right desk for the job, but working at your desk can become unbearable if comfort is sacrificed. And the source of comfort for someone working a desk job 40-plus hours a week can be found in….an Amish desk chair. What Makes an Amish Desk Chair Comfortable The Back Support The… 5 Things That Make an Amish Desk Chair Comfortable

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The Urban Barnwood Collection

Beth Rice 23/01/2020

Sustainable, warm and unique, barnwood furniture is making its mark. At DutchCrafters, our Amish woodworkers take pride in their sustainable practices and crafting with reclaimed wood embraces sustainability on a whole new level. While there’s no doubt barnwood furniture is beautiful, the story goes much deeper than just knocking down barns and making furniture out of them. The Urban Barnwood Collection here at DutchCrafters is in high demand, and when Jonathan Fell, the sales manager… The Urban Barnwood Collection

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Meet the Sustainability Committee at DutchCrafters

Beth Rice 16/01/2020

One of the most disappointing things Marina de Sa Nogueira, chair of the Sustainability Committee at DutchCrafters has heard is…. One person will not make a difference. One plastic bag or one straw is not going to matter. According to Marina and the members of the DutchCrafters Sustainability Committee, one person can make a difference and a big one I learned as I sat down to chat with them in the DutchCrafters Showroom. The Sustainability… Meet the Sustainability Committee at DutchCrafters

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Office Desks That Help DeClutter

Beth Rice 09/01/2020

Looking for an office desk that will do more for you in the new year? We’ve zeroed in on three office desks that bring a lot to the work space and that can help you get and stay organized in the new year. Which office desk will help you the most? The Computer Desk If you have lots of computer and office equipment and not enough room to put it, a computer office desk could… Office Desks That Help DeClutter

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New Uses for Vintage Furniture

Beth Rice 02/01/2020

As we ring in the new year, make our lists of resolutions and feel inspired by a clean slate, it’s out with the old and in with the new, right? Well, maybe not in all cases. You might share our view on vintage furniture which is this: we love furniture that is built so well it lasts a long time. How long? Well, we mean decades, until it has earned the title “vintage.” Having furniture… New Uses for Vintage Furniture

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Cherry Wood Furniture vs. Rustic Cherry Wood Furniture

Beth Rice 19/12/2019

One’s a little bit country, and the other well, is not. The other rocks a sophisticated solid wood that wears red well. In both instances we’re talking cherry wood furniture, loved for its smooth grain, timeless look and elegant feel that can either wear a smooth finish or let loose with rustic fervor. Would you like your cherry with a few knots on top? Or does the only cherry wood furniture that comes to mind… Cherry Wood Furniture vs. Rustic Cherry Wood Furniture

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5 Ways to Participate in the Slow Furniture Movement

Beth Rice 12/12/2019

The Slow Furniture Movement embraces the deliberate creation and use of durable furniture. A part of the Slow Movement that values quality over quickness, it has emerged as a response to the mass production of disposable “fast” furniture. You don’t have to spend a lot to participate in the slow furniture movement. Here are five ways that you can get involved. 1. Shop Sustainable Solid Wood Furniture Investing in solid wood furniture, whether it be… 5 Ways to Participate in the Slow Furniture Movement

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Bringing Barnwood Inside: Will You Go Rustic Or Contemporary?

Beth Rice 05/12/2019

What is the appeal of something old and worn? Is it the wisdom it possesses? Is it the stories it has to tell? A display from Urban Barnwood sits right inside the DutchCrafters Showroom in Sarasota, Florida. It features samples of real barnwood in different stains. The legs are thick and strong, the colors are warm, and the knots are real. It shows the possibilities we offer for custom-made barnwood furniture that brings with it… Bringing Barnwood Inside: Will You Go Rustic Or Contemporary?

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3 Centerpiece Ideas, 3 Amish Tables and a Little Centerpiece History

Beth Rice 21/11/2019

With the holidays once again upon us, it’s time to think about visiting relatives, dinner menus, gift shopping and yes, table centerpiece ideas. Setting the table and displaying the centerpiece have become as important as the food itself when it comes to entertaining and dining during the holidays. We’ve selected three easy DIY centerpiece ideas to share with you as we approach Thanksgiving. And we’ve chosen three stunning Amish dining tables to display them on.… 3 Centerpiece Ideas, 3 Amish Tables and a Little Centerpiece History

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The Origins of the Slow Furniture Movement

Beth Rice 14/11/2019

Life is a constant learning experience.  I know as I journey through, I’ve found myself collecting life lessons that I learn from my husband, my children, my elders, my mistakes, my triumphs and my failures. I’ve learned that running through a drive-through for a quick meal most likely means I will eat in a hurry, and that might make my stomach hurt. I’ve learned that the excitement about a cheap price for a dress is… The Origins of the Slow Furniture Movement

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3 Things to Know About Table Edges

Beth Rice 07/11/2019

Amish made furniture takes into account all the details that make solid wood furniture not only beautiful, but more functional and fitting for the family that’s using it. One of those details that’s not often discussed are table edges, also called table profiles. Thoughts On the Table Edge Think about a table edge for a moment. It can be your dining table, end table, or even the edge of a counter or desk. Hands are… 3 Things to Know About Table Edges

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10 Amish Bedroom Furniture Terms and What They Mean

Beth Rice 31/10/2019

What is a dovetailed bed slat and what makes it better than other bed slats? Why use a full extension drawer slide in your bedroom dresser? What are the benefits of a Murphy bed? It’s time for a look at some Amish Bedroom Furniture Terms, 10 to be exact, and identify what they are, what they mean, what they do and the benefits they provide. Clue:  I’m three beds in one and I start in… 10 Amish Bedroom Furniture Terms and What They Mean

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Welcome to the Slow Furniture Movement

Beth Rice 24/10/2019

“My middle name is Speed,” the Hare boasts in Disney’s 1934 version of The Tortoise and the Hare. The Hare tears through the race and kicks up lots of dust, but in the end he cannot compare to the slow and steady efforts of the Tortoise. The moral lesson of the Tortoise and the Hare? You can be more successful by doing things slowly and steadily than by acting quickly and carelessly. Amish furniture is… Welcome to the Slow Furniture Movement

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Customer Spotlight: It’s All About Custom with Patricia Marquis

Beth Rice 17/10/2019

Five-star ratings. Exquisite fabrics. Quality soft furnishings. It’s no secret we have a big thing for quality craftsmanship and taking time to make a long-lasting product.  So does Patricia Marquis. If you haven’t visited Southern Shades on Etsy, we recommend you take a look. Southern Shades is home to handcrafted pillows, window treatments, and assorted soft furnishings. Started in 2013, this company and its beautiful products are featured on Etsy. Our paths crossed with the… Customer Spotlight: It’s All About Custom with Patricia Marquis

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