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
When it comes to whimsical cottage style and rustic warmth, shiplap is a design element that adds a nice touch. This stylish feature adds depth, looks pretty, and is offered as an upgrade on some of our custom hutches and bookcases here at DutchCrafters. What is Shiplap? Shiplap gets its name from the planks that were used to make boats at one time. Grooves or recesses called rabbets are cut into the wood along the… Let’s Talk Shiplap
Handmade gifts are special. Knowing someone put in the thought, time and effort to create something carries some weight . With Mother’s Day in mind, I asked the DutchCrafters staff to share some of the handmade Mother’s Day gifts they remember making, but first, let’s start with you. I would LOVE to hear and share yours. What handmade gifts did you make your mother or grandmother for Mother’s Day? Do you remember her reaction? Does… Handmade Gifts We Made for Mom
Solid wood furniture made with walnut wood is meant to impress and it never falls short of the mark. In the world of custom furniture, walnut wood is a dream as it is easy to work with and finishes beautifully. Want to know more about walnut wood? Let’s take a look at what makes it a luxury. Walnut wood is revered for its rich, dark color. There are many varieties of walnut trees, but just… What You Need to Know About Walnut Wood
Some outdoor sheds serve as storage for the lawn equipment, car parts and other miscellaneous items that might belong in the attic. Some are organized with tools and workbenches, gardening items and snow shovels. Now this popular outdoor structure that contributes storage and style is even easier to incorporate on your property. At our first house, my husband recruited a neighbor and they built a shed for our backyard. It had a window and a… Everything You Need to Know About DIY Sheds
The furniture makers at Berlin Gardens believe in taking life outdoors with poly furniture. Out to your favorite spot on the porch or lanai, out to the yard for some bird watching or to play with the kids, or out by the pool to enjoy the warmth of the sun with a good book and a delicious drink. They take you there with “green” furniture that’s good for you, your lifestyle and the environment. I’ve… The Best “Green” Furniture for Patio, Porch and Poolside
I enjoy a good bargain, sure. During one of our community yard sales, I remember taking a walk around the neighborhood and finding a colorful beach umbrella. I had never treated myself to one and living in Florida, I take my two daughters to the beach quite often. The owner wanted $8 for it, which is pricey for a yard sale. I tried to bargain with him, but he wouldn’t budge. I opened and closed… The Benefits of Solid Wood Furniture
The living room coffee table I grew up with was round and brown and held magazines, the newspaper and the remote. My mother didn’t allow drinks on it since it was made of wood. When it was time for parties, a doily with a basket of flowers was placed in the center and coasters came out to protect it. I remember doing puzzles on that table and finding Easter eggs hidden under it on Easter… How to Choose the Right Coffee Table
Quarter sawn white oak wood is known among solid wood furniture for its durability, strength and firm texture. We receive a lot of questions about it. Why is it called quarter sawn? What type of furniture is it best for? What’s with the quarter sawn grain pattern? Here are the answers to popular quarter sawn white oak wood questions in our QSWO Q & A. Q: Why is it called quarter sawn white oak? A:… Quarter Sawn White Oak Wood Q & A
