Painting Ideas for Wood Furniture

When you invest in Amish furniture you know that you want it to last, but you also know that can be a tall order if you don’t take care of it. Because you have furniture that is going to last for generations you’re going to come to a point where it needs to be repainted and refinished. That said, we’re going to go over a few of the steps that you need to take before you paint. It will be a bit of extra work but the results will be worth it, especially if you have already gone out of your way to buy Amish furniture.

Wood Furniture Painting Ideas

Start by Sanding your Amish Furniture

You will want to start by sanding the furniture piece despite what tutorials online might say. If you choose not to sand then you might find yourself trying to find where to buy Amish furniture online very soon. Sanding is a must, so make sure you go over it with 150-grit sandpaper. Just remember that you’re not trying to gouge the surface; you want the furniture piece to be a bit rough so that the primer has something to hold onto when you get to that part.

Check for Residue

No matter how careful you are there is a strong chance that you’re going to get a residue buildup on your furniture and you need to make sure you’re rid of it before you sand or paint. Use a tack cloth to wipe down the chair! Make sure you’re not using a paper towel as these are too abrasive and could cause damage to the chair.

Start Painting

Wood FurnitureYou’re finally to the part that you’ve been waiting for – the painting! To pain your chair you will want to use a foam roller (as opposed to a brush) an apply three thin coats of semi-gloss latex paint. You will want to wait for six to eight hours between coats, so this isn’t going to be the fastest process. In addition to that you may notice some dripping or residue from the piece between coats and if this happens then you should proceed to sand again. Not only will this get rid of the residue, it will continue to give the paint something to grip onto between each coat.

Add a Layer of Protection

Once you have finished painting you will need to move on to the protection phase. You will want to use a foam roller to place a thin Polycrylic coat across the surface of the paint and make sure that you are doing so lightly to smooth out any bubbles that might form under the roller. You will also want to wait at least 72 hours for it to dry.

Painting your Amish furniture requires quite a few steps but doing so will help to ensure that it lasts for many years to come. Follow our instructions and get started!

 

 

Choose the Right Furniture to Match your Office Style

You have an office to outfit and you have a style that you need to stick with. Now your biggest question, as you figure out where to buy Amish furniture, is what sort of style you should be sticking with. Don’t worry; we have some guidance that will help you to choose the right furniture and get your office ready to go for the new year.

Buy Amish Furniture for Office vs. Back Room

As you plan out your new Amish style office layout you will need to consider who will be seeing it n a regular basis. For example, you could have a corporate office type environment to outfit or you might simply be outfitting your back room. For a corporate office you want to go for sophistication, but for a home office, you might be looking for something a bit more comfortable. No matter which scenario you find yourself in, however, it would be a good idea to choose solid wood Amish furniture.

Amish Furniture - Office

Consider your Budget

There are probably some lofty plans in the works for your space but in the end, it comes down to how much money you are able to spend. This shouldn’t be a surprise quite frankly, because every decision in life comes down to money, at least in terms of home remodeling. You will need to create a budget based on how many pieces you need, what style you need, and how much each one of them is going to cost. Once you have this sorted out you should consider the durability of the furniture that you are purchasing.

Furniture Durability is Key

We don’t set out with the intention of abusing our furniture but it’s going to happen at some point. They might end up scratched, or they could even be dented. When you buy Amish furniture you have to make absolutely certain that it’s going to stand the test of time, especially when you are placing it in an office environment. Solid wood furniture unlike typical particle board furniture is highly durable and can last for many years over many employees, clients, and customers.

Make Sure It’s Functional

Choosing furniture for your office can be a challenge and you want to make sure that it’s functional. For example, you could choose a beautiful Amish desk that looks great but if a computer takes up the entire surface of the desktop then it’s just not going to be effective. Take these things into account when you are making a purchase. Remember, Amish furniture for sale can be pricey and you want to do it right the first time, period.

Amish furniture is a great addition to any office and it will give you a setup that will last forever if taken care of properly. Just make sure you’re taking our pointers into account and getting it right!

 

Two Things you Didn’t Know About Amish Furniture

As we’ve discussed before in other blogs, Amish furniture in Oregon and other places are derived from two different styles, Mission and Shaker. Naturally, there were more styles throughout the centuries but today all of the derivatives boil down to those two styles. Designs have been passed down through the ages and the beauty of the available pieces leaves many asking certain questions. Today we’re going to cover two of the most important questions for those looking to buy Amish furniture.

Question 1: Are Power Tools Used in the Creation of Amish Furniture in Oregon?

Amish furnitureWhen people think of the Amish they see old-fashioned folks riding that horse-drawn buggy or tilling their fields, but when it comes right down to it, the Amish have an image to maintain and that includes the quality of their work. Power tools have done a great job of helping them to maintain the aesthetic and standard of quality that sits proudly in many living rooms across the country.

The Amish often use pneumatic and hydraulic tools, both of which are powered by either gas or diesel. Some have shops that are powered by pulleys and other systems. The systems that are being employed by the Amish might not be nearly as mainstream as you would expect, but they are every bit as efficient and allow them to work hard, ultimately bringing you the quality that you’re looking for when you buy Amish furniture. From hand augers to power drills, the Amish are embracing modern technology to make sure they get the job done right. The results can be seen right in your living room and when you buy Amish furniture online.

What is the Environmental Impact?

In 2017 and beyond there is a strong emphasis on green living and it goes far beyond what you do in your day to day life. Recycling and taking the bus are important but supporting companies that use green practices is also important. We need to make sure that the right companies stay in business and the wrong ones fizzle out. Amish furniture is actually quite green and there are many different reasons for it. In other words, it’s not just the lack of electricity.

Amish furniture is sustainable, meaning you aren’t going to have entire forests being decimated for the sake of selling Amish furniture online. In addition to that, Amish furniture is American made, so you won’t have ships burning fossil fuel to carry it across the Atlantic, and that’s always a plus. Finally, you have the storage factor – Amish furniture is typically made to order so it’s not just sitting in a warehouse waiting for someone to claim it.

Amish furniture is a great investment and in the next few blogs, we’re going to cover even more interesting facts that will help you to gain a better understanding of Amish furniture. Keep reading and keep learning!

 

A Quick Guide to Mixing Wood Tones

Mixing Wood TonesHome décor can be a bit of a challenge but you don’t need use to tell you that. Things have changed considerably since the old days, and you might be recalling the wood paneling found in older homes, particularly your grandparent’s home. These days it’s all about hardwood against a modern backdrop, and many homeowners are turning to the hardwood. Some want the modern look, and some want raw pieces that really show their grain. One of the biggest differences that we’re seeing today is the fact that furniture is being mixed rather than consistent throughout the entire home. This is even happening with Amish furniture, leaving us to ask the all-important question of how you go about properly mixing wood grains to create a beautiful home interior.

It Starts with a Theme for your Amish Furniture

You are going to begin by choosing a theme. For example, before you buy Amish furniture you need to ask yourself if you are going for more of an elegant theme, or if you want to go with a modern look. You might just be looking for a more comfortable and relaxing look – it’s going to be entirely up to you. Once you do have a rough idea of what direction you’re going in, then you can start looking into Amish furniture for sale.

Think About the Undertones

In Amish furniture for sale, there are going to be certain undertones that you’ll have to look at. The grains have a tone of red or yellow, and they help you to mesh the new décor with the rest of your room. A chest, for example, will have a certain undertone while a chair might look entirely different. It is crucial that you get furniture with similar undertones so that the entire room doesn’t start to clash. You might not be looking for the same style but you don’t want the entire room to turn into a complete eyesore.

Stick to Two or Three Colors

Unless you want to turn your space into a modern art masterpiece we would strongly recommend that you stick to two or three colors. If you want, you can go with contrasting wood stains that complement each other, and once you have picked them out, you can move forward from there.

Keep it Simple

wood stainThe importance of keeping simple cannot be overstated. If you are interested in mixing wood tones then you need to stick to a single color in all of your other accessories. If you mix too many wood tones in one room it’s just going to look chaotic.

That One Large Piece

Finally, we would strongly recommend that when you look at Amish furniture for sale, you choose one showstopper piece to really draw attention. It could be an armoire, or it could be a hutch. In bedrooms, it could be the dresser or in living rooms, the entertainment center. Once again, you don’t want the room to look cluttered, so stick with that single show stopper and go from there.

 

Amish Furniture Arrangement: A Guide

Your home is your castle. It’s where you go when you need to relax, its the place where you host your friends and family. The arrangement of your furnishings sets the tone for each room in your home. There are endless amounts of guides on how to arrange your room ranging from esoteric theories to pragmatic step by step manuals. The arrangement of your furniture is ultimately up to you and the needs of your household but with a few helpful hints, you will be able to display your furniture to its best advantage.

Your Living Room With Amish Furniture

Amish FurnitureYour living room is the main hub of your home. It is generally the place your guests see first, where they are invited in, where they sit and mingle with you. It is the place where your family gravitates, where relaxing happens, where conversations build. You want your furniture to reflect the function of the living room and encourage utilization. Create conversation areas around large pieces of furniture such as sofas and armchairs. Use small tables judiciously, keeping them within easy reach of the sitting furniture. A coffee table is not just a place to keep your magazines, it is a serving table, a gaming table, a centerpiece of your living room. Choose a table that is large enough but not so large as to be imposing.

Consider Traffic Patterns and Function

Amish furniture is lasting and can be used for many functions. A chest of drawers can work in a bedroom or be used for linen storage in a dining room. Your dining room or kitchen table is the second hub of your home. It can be used for homework, for food prep, for gatherings. You want to ensure that you have a table large enough to always seat an extra guest or two. Consider the way people move around your rooms as you place your furniture. You can use furniture to guide traffic patterns in such a way as to lead people to certain pieces of furniture. Make sure your furniture doesn’t impede the usage of other fixtures in the home, for example, sit down and make sure that bureau doesn’t block the view of the television from that comfy armchair everyone fights over. Bear in mind how people tend to exit and enter rooms and leave room for standing.

Amish Furniture as Focal Points in Your Home

Amish furniture is a beautiful investment and it is natural that you would want to create focal points in your home with the best Amish furniture that you own. Feel free to create scenes that showcase the lovely sheen of your solid wood beauties. Bearing in mind that you need to avoid the feeling of clutter, use Amish furniture in any manner that you see fit to showcase its attributes. With the ease of finding Amish furniture online these days, it is entirely possible that you will have to rearrange your home quite often to slip your newest piece into your decorating scheme.

 

Use Amish Furniture to Prepare your Home for Sale

Selling your home can be one of the most important things you do. A lot of times before you move on, whether it is to the next home or the next area, you have to sell the home you have been living in. A lot of attention seems to be paid to tasks such as power washing the exterior of your home and landscaping prior to listing and these are very important tasks. Even more important is staging your home, setting it up in such a way that potential buyers can envision themselves living in your home. Staging a home is proven to proportionally raise your chances of selling your home and selling it quickly.

The Basics of Staging a Home for Sale

Amish furnitureHow does one stage a home? Some of the steps of staging are common sense. Enhancing curb appeal, power washing the outside of your home, planting flowers, anything that makes your house look inviting at first glance. When you start on the interior of your home, you want to immediately declutter. Clutter raises anxiety for a lot of people, you want your home to feel welcoming and comfortable. Opt for neutral colors, paint your walls vanilla, beige, warm, neutral tones that make it easy for someone to imagine their furniture and their decor in the space. Do not hesitate to move furniture and decorations around even if it means putting them in rooms they were not originally meant for. You want to create and comfortable theme that runs through all of the rooms of the home.

Amish furniture is the Ultimate Neutral

Amish furniture is perfect for staging a home. The warm wood tones are neutral and easily maneuverable into any decor scheme. The patterns used are time-tested and always give off an air of sophistication. The patterns are malleable and it is easy to picture them fitting in any type of setting. Consider adding rockers or a small table and chairs to your front porch, giving the image of a home to stop in and visit randomly, somewhere to pass relaxing moments. A solid wood kitchen table made by an Amish crafter gives a nostalgic and homey feel to a kitchen or an Amish dining room. The living room is considered the social hub of your house, and it can literally make or break a home sale. Consider using the best Amish furniture here to create a conversation area that is at once inviting and comfortable.

Where to Buy Amish Furniture

Selling a house is a lot of work. And any work you put into your home sale will increase your profits in the end. Many Amish furniture stores now sell Amish furniture online for your convenience. You can browse, buy, and even customize your furniture in the comfort of your own home. The Amish furniture for sale online is the same quality as those you would find trekking into the country. You can be assured a faster home sale if you utilize Amish furniture in your staging.

 

How to Buy Amish Furniture for your Hallway

Every room in your home presents a unique set of needs. Bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, each space is designed not only for function but to reflect the ambiance of your home. Before you begin purchasing furniture for any space in your home, there are a few planning steps that you need to complete. Planning your space, researching your options, and planning your purchases are but a few things on your to-do list before you have the hallway of your dreams. Amish furniture is an excellent choice for lasting and beautiful hallway furnishings.

Measure the Space for your Amish Furniture

The first step you should take in planning furnishings for any area is to get an accurate measurement of the area in question. There are apps that can aid you with this but it is still best to measure by hand because only you can see the areas that need to stay clear, such as doorways. Make sure you measure the entrances and exits to the area so you will know what kind of clearance you will have getting furniture in and out of your hallway. Make sure to take note of kick plates, molding, light fixtures or any other architectural impediments that you will need to design around.

What Kind of Amish Furniture is Available for Hallways

Amish Furniture

What do you need from your hallway? Storage? Places to hang coats? Places to sit and put on shoes? Examining the needs and desires that you envision for your hallway is the second crucial step in planning your hallway furnishings. Amish furniture for sale online offers a wide variety of bed seats that would make a beautiful and functional place for sitting to put on shoes or remove them. Freestanding wall clocks are available to keep you moving on time as you head out the door. Storage for various weather necessities comes in the form of occasional tables, bedside tables, blanket chests, there are so many options that would fit right into any hallway decorating scheme.

Where To Buy Amish Furniture

Shopping for and purchasing Amish furniture is a lot easier now than in times past. Many retailers now offer Amish furniture online, you can browse, shop, purchase, and even have your questions answered all from the comfort of your own home. Your furniture will be shipped straight to your door. The best sites educate your on their manufacturers, can educate you on the patterns and materials uses, and are accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Remember that the best Amish furniture is only made of solid wood. When you go to buy Amish furniture, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything other than how the furniture will fit in your home.

 

A Guide to the Most Common Wood Types Used in Amish Furniture

Amish furniture is an ever-growing choice in many decorating circles. What was once a best-kept secret of country folk has now found appeal with even the urbanest of populations. Furniture generally lasts quite a number of years, if not decades or more, so must fit in with the changing needs of an individual as well as decorating trends. Amish furniture is a sound choice for many needs, it is not only durable but is beautiful and an investment in your future. Due to the high-quality materials use and time-proven craftsmanship, not to mention designs that have endured through centuries, Amish furniture will last through all of your needs, moods, and styles.

Of What is The Best Amish Furniture Made

Amish FurnitureAmish furniture is made in a small family owned workshops using locally sourced, high-quality materials. The secrets of the trade are passed down through the generations and generally kept within the family. The Amish use mainly locally grown, seasoned, hardwoods for their furniture. Hardwoods are denser and more fibrous than other types of wood which makes the wood tougher. The wood is milled in such a way as to make the finished product stronger overall. The seasoning period, which dries out the wood, ensures that the wood is less likely to shrink and warp. The natural density of the wood also gives it some extra protection against wood destroying pests like termites. An aesthetic benefit of hardwoods is that the compactness of the grain gives the finished product a natural glimmer and sheen. Centuries of trial and error have gone into perfecting the builds of the Amish furniture you find for sale.

So What Woods Are Hardwoods

The Amish generally use four different types of hardwood in their manufacturing. Oak is the most popular wood used in Amish furniture. Oak is known for its surface roughness. Its resistant to scratches, stains, and dust, which means it requires less maintenance cleaning. Oak is also a very resilient wood, oak furniture can last a century or more. Cherry wood is not only a tough wood, it has a unique color that can not be mistaken. Cherry is easy to polish which keeps the wood looking lovely for a long time. Hickory is one of the hardest, strongest, heaviest woods available in North America. It is distinctive for the light and dark textures of its grain. Hickory can withstand the heaviest of weights without bending, warping, or breaking. Maple is always easy to spot because of the many colors that make up its grain. Swirls of brown, gray, tan, white, and cream make maple furniture stand out from other woods. Maple also takes stains easily.

Amish Furniture for Sale Online

For visual examples of the woods used in Amish furniture, there are many online Amish furniture stores eager to help you make your choices. It is easier than ever to order authentic Amish furniture delivered straight to your door!

 

Laminate, Veneer, and Solid Wood – What’s the Difference? What is Used in Amish Furniture?

Choosing furniture can be a difficult task if you do not know what you are looking at when you consider a piece of furniture. In this day and age, a piece of furniture can be made from any number of materials, you have to be careful because something that looks pretty or has a cheap price tag might not last you as long as you would hope. Learning what composes common pieces of furniture is a good step in choosing furniture that is quality and will endure even the most brutal torture a family can throw at it.

The Best Amish Furniture Doesn’t have Laminate or Veneer

Laminate is a manufactured material. It is usually made of plastic and bonded to a composite base. It is printed to look like real wood but it doesn’t possess the strength, variation or beauty of real wood. Veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a less expensive material such as plywood. This allows the manufacturer to create a piece of furniture for far less money than using solid wood. Neither of these materials is optimal for creating quality and lasting furniture. These materials also limit the designs that can be utilized in creating a piece of furniture. Neither of these materials is used in furniture that you would find in an Amish furniture store.

Only Buy Amish Furniture that is Solid Wood

Amish FurnitureThe Amish take pride in their craftsmanship. They only use solid wood in the manufacturing of their furniture. They use only seasoned hardwoods as the dry wood will not shrink and warp like green wood or other lesser materials. The vast majority of wood used is grown locally to the family manufacturing shops where it will be turned into furniture. It is milled by Amish millers specifically for furniture craftsmen to use. The time-tested patterns used by the Amish are chosen for their sturdiness and ability to withstand much of the normal wear and tear of everyday use. If you should encounter Amish furniture for sale online that is said to be made from something other than solid wood, then what is being sold is not authentic Amish furniture.

Where to Buy Amish Furniture

Locating quality Amish furniture is easier today than in times past. Many retailers now offer authentic Amish furniture for sale online. No longer does the quest for Amish furniture require several trips into the country to shop, order, and pick up your purchases. Amish furniture stores online offer to order and shopping from the comfort of your own home and shipping straight to your door. Armed with the information about the materials used in furniture manufacturing, it should be relatively simple for you to determine what Amish furniture stores are selling high-quality merchandise and which are trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

 

What Specialty Finishes Can I Have on My Amish Furniture

Amish furniturePurchasing Amish furniture can be an amazing addition to your home or office. Amish furniture is renowned for its grace and stability. There is little that can stand up to the craftsmanship of Amish furniture, certainly not the mass-produced, flimsy, products that are the common stock of most stores these days. Amish furniture is always handcrafted by families who have passed their secrets down through the generations, perfecting their craft along the way.

With the advent of stores online who retail Amish furniture for the craftsmen, it is now easier than ever to access Amish furniture. No more trips to the country to order, check on and retrieve your furniture. All of your choices come shipped directly to your door. The only issues left are your choices. Educating yourself on your various choices of woods, styles, and finishes will bring you ever closer to lounging in your gorgeous new furniture.

What Is Finishing in Amish Furniture Anyhow

Wood finishing is the process of refining and protecting the surface of the wood to provide lasting benefits to the finished piece. Often wood is stained during the finishing process, this consists of adding a pigmented compound that changes or deepens the coloring of the natural wood. The staining process happens after an initial sanding that removes imperfections and evens out the surface of the wood.

After the staining, a protective layer is added to the wood which seals in the stain and gives the wood more water resistance than it would have naturally. The finishing layer usually consists of waxes, varnishes, or shellac. These finishes also serve to make the finished piece easier to clean and maintain.

What Finishes Can I Have

Amish ShowroomWhen you are choosing your finish for your Amish furniture, there is quite a few specialty finishes available that are not to be discounted. Burnishing is a technique where the stain is added to the outer edges of a piece, giving it an antiqued look. Distressing is a specialty technique that is most often done with painted furniture but can be done with stained pieces as well. The paint is rubbed off on the edges and in specific areas (like table and chair legs), to give it a more rustic and used/worn look.

An item can be lightly or deeply distressed depending on preference. Another interesting finish is two-toned, where different parts of an item are stained with darker varnish whereas others are bleached or left natural. Controlling the sheen level is another way of customizing a finish, sheen can range from glossy to matte. Regardless of the finish you choose, you can be guaranteed that your pieces of Amish furniture will be beautiful and heirloom quality.