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
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 Lattice Weave Storage Bench with Drawers and Baskets… Solid Wood Furniture Storage Solutions
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
Laundry rooms are often small spaces that get a lot of traffic. Create a functional, attractive laundry room with Amish furniture and décor. We have also included a DIY project that will help you reunite socks that mysteriously disappear. Shelves to the Rescue Shelves are friends in laundry rooms. Make use of vertical space or empty corners and hang shelves to help you organize. The Amish Hardwood Aspen Mission Shelf creates a spot to stow… Lost Socks and Laundry Room Solutions
If the power went out and stayed out everywhere, but you knew how to sustain yourself and your family by living off the land, then you’d be ahead of the game, wouldn’t you? The Setting An Amish community in Pennsylvania. Photo from workman.com The Situation In David William’s debut novel When the English Fall, we meet Jacob, an Amish farmer who keeps a journal. Troubled by his daughter Sadie’s seizures and “funny ways” but relying on his… When the English Fall: A Book Review
When Lorraine Blais turns a house into a home, magic happens. Lorraine Blais Photo credit: blaisinteriors.com Meeting with us at a home she fully decorated in Citrus County, FL, the interior designer and general contractor with more than 30 years of experience, identified what it takes to make that magic happen. “Turning a house into a home means adding the personal touches that mean something to the people who live there,” she said. “With my… Devoted to Design: A Morning with Lorraine Blais
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
