Latest posts

Are We Done with Dining Rooms?

Beth Rice 05/04/2018

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?

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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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What’s New at Barkman Furniture

Beth Rice 15/03/2018

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

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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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Amish Made Chairs from the Prairie Collection: The Habits of Handcrafting

Beth Rice 01/03/2018

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

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Where the Women are in Amish Woodshops

Beth Rice 22/02/2018

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

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My First Walk Through an Amish Woodshop

Beth Rice 15/02/2018

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

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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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Woodworking and Whoopie Pies: Highlights from Ohio Amish Country

Beth Rice 01/02/2018

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

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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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Easy Holiday DIY Decor Ideas

Milca Rivera 26/10/2017

If you’re like me and can’t get enough of HGTV, DIY blogs, and Pinterest, then you’re yearning to start crafting for the holidays (if you haven’t already). I’m sharing some simple decoration and DIY projects that will get everyone in the holiday spirit. Even if you’re screaming right now that it’s too early to start decorating, keep in mind that researching décor and DIY ideas now can help you save money and time (thus also… Easy Holiday DIY Decor Ideas

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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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