{"id":5099,"date":"2017-04-14T11:55:00","date_gmt":"2017-04-14T15:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=5099"},"modified":"2026-03-23T16:00:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T20:00:38","slug":"meet-the-woodworker-innovative-designs-collection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/meet-the-woodworker-innovative-designs-collection\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Woodworker: Innovative Designs Collection"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2008 Herman Miller was building tables for the RV industry when two things happened that changed the course of his life: His wife Emma suffered kidney failure, and the RV industry began to struggle due to the economy.<\/p>\n

After Emma received a kidney transplant, the Millers sold their farm in Topeka, IN and moved to town. Herman\u00a0had not been working as much to help take care of his wife, but once she was doing better he thought he would start his own business making tables for the RV industry.<\/p>\n

But the universe had a different plan. The economy took a tumble and \u201clifestyle\u201d purchases such as RVs were the last thing on consumers’ minds.<\/p>\n

He met a man from Ohio who owned a furniture business. The man was looking to sell American made fireplaces at his store. Unfortunately, the manufacturer of the fireplaces would not sell them to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said, \u2018Herman if you can build that fireplace, I can sell it’,\u201d Herman explained.<\/p>\n

Eight years later, Herman is the proud owner of the Innovative Designs Collection.<\/p>\n

It is a small business with just two employees \u2013 Herman and his son. His son still works in the RV industry until noon most days, then comes home to help Herman. Still, the business has grown steadily over the years.<\/p>\n

On a recent visit to the DutchCrafters offices in Sarasota, FL, Herman,\u00a0accompanied by his wife Emma, went through the company’s offerings with the DutchCrafters team.<\/p>\n

His favorite fireplace? \u201cThe Lindenhurst Fireplace TV Stand<\/a>,\u201d he said without hesitation.<\/p>\n

\"Amish<\/a><\/p>\n

The fireplace he owns? \u201cThat is the Amish Lindenhurst Fireplace TV Stand,<\/a>\u201d he said, \u201cBut [I] built a bookcase on top.”<\/p>\n

\"Amish<\/a><\/p>\n

You can tell that he is passionate about his business. He remembers the product numbers, sizes, and features of each fireplace without looking at the catalog.<\/p>\n

When asked what his favorite part of what he does is, Herman just said \u201cbuilding fireplaces.\u201d He loves it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoy the fireplace business, I really do,\u201d Herman said. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t, I\u2019d probably get rid of it and stay in Florida all winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Call us selfish, but as much as we would love Herman\u00a0and Emma\u00a0to become Floridians, we love his passion for handcrafting fireplaces even more.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to shop Innovative Designs Collection.<\/p>\n

To inquire about a custom design, please call\u00a0866-272-6773 to speak with one of our knowledgeable furniture specialists.<\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0Like many in the Amish community, for religious beliefs the Millers requested their photo not be taken.<\/em><\/p>\n

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