Yesterday was the Internet debut of the short documentary produced by DutchCrafters, “Eugene Alexander: The Fashion of Eugene Stutzman.” It can be viewed at https://www.dutchcrafters.com/video/video/eugene-alexander-fashion-film/ as well as at the bottom of this blog post. So why did DutchCrafters Amish Furniture produce a documentary about a fashion designer? We have always acknowledged the pleasant irony of selling Amish furniture online – using the advances in technology to connect our customers to products made by people who… Documentary Debut: Eugene Alexander: The Fashion of Eugene Stutzman
We recently hosted a Facebook Live Q and A session about the Amish. All staff gathered in the DutchCrafters showroom for the event. CEO Jim Miller fielded questions from staff and viewers. *Answers have been edited for clarity. Jim Miller grew up in a Mennonite community and lived near Amish people for many years. For the last 15 years, he’s been leading DutchCrafters in connecting customers with beautiful Amish made furniture, and he’s developed relationships… Amish Q & A with DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller
What Are Breadboard Ends? A breadboard end is a piece of wood that’s joined to the end of a larger panel. Breadboard ends are the strips that are often found on the ends of some Amish tables. They run perpendicular to the larger panel and contribute to defining the form of the table panel. The breadboard runs cross-grain to the panel it is added to. The Barstow Trestle Table with Plank Top and Breadboard Ends… What’s Up With Breadboard Ends?
The features of a Windsor chair contribute to its comfort, strength and style. We’re taking an up-close look at the features that make Windsor chairs look, feel and perform the way they do. What’s the basic breakdown of the Windsor form? A popular fit for country style furniture, the Windsor chair consists of spindles attached to a solid wood seat. Windsor chairs are light, durable and contoured to fit the human body. The Amish Wilton… The Windsor Chair Series Part II: Features
Creating an outdoor furniture collection that’s attractive, comfortable, and supports your favorite activities is possible. Just follow these 5 easy steps to lead you to your best outdoor space. Step 1. Measure Your Outdoor Space What’s it like outside your home? Is it a wide open area or a more compact space? Measure your yard and consider the space you have to work with. Get measurements for deck areas, patios and porches to determine the… Tips For Choosing Outdoor Furniture
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
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
Amidst the delight of choosing colors, décor and furniture for a new child’s room comes the task of ensuring their safety. June is National Safety Month, a time to focus on ways to prevent unnecessary injuries that prompts us to share ways to set up a beautiful, functional, reliable and above all else—safe—bedroom with Amish kids furniture! Cribs and Mattresses What to Look For: Guidelines recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) Wood… National Safety Month: Focus on Children’s Furniture
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
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?
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
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 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
