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.

 

Why Does Amish Furniture Use Old Growth Wood?

The Amish are meticulous in the sourcing and crafting of their furniture. They only use the best, seasoned, old growth hardwood in their pieces. They utilize patterns that have been handed down through the generations and perfected over time. Each piece is handmade under the careful eye of a seasoned craftsman. Amish furniture has become popular because it is not only beautiful but durable and heirloom quality. Most of those attributes relate directly to the use of old growth hardwood.

Amish Furniture Doesn’t Get Much Tougher Than This

Old growth wood is among the toughest of woods on the planet. The mechanisms that enable a tree to survive for decades and even hundreds of years, each season adding growth and bulk to its form, makes for a fiber that is desirable for its durability. These trees are denser and have often been cultivated by generations of the same family. Milled in the quarter sawn or plain sawn methods, Amish furniture withstands decades of hard use by an active family while still retaining its form and luster. When a building made of old growth wood is torn down, the wood is a hot commodity as it can be repurposed make more times before it has no life left in it. This is one of the reasons that reclaimed barn wood pieces are so popular.

Rot and Bug Resistant

Due to the rigid structure of old growth wood, the tough fiber that has stood through countless seasons of the changeable weather common in Amish settled areas, it is less prone to rot. The same softness that makes new growth wood pliable makes it susceptible to taking on moisture and swelling. A well-seasoned piece of old growth wood has an intrinsic resistance to water–no wood is completely rot proof but old growth wood attempts to be. Another benefit of the rigid structure of old growth wood is that insects such as termites have a hard time finding a purchase in this wood. It would take a mighty determined infestation to chew through a piece of old growth wood furniture and as insects, like most of nature, tend to take the path of least resistance, they are going to go for softer woods that are easier to consume and digest before they will attempt something as unyielding as old growth wood.

Heirloom Beauty

Amish ShowroomLast but not least of the reasons the Amish utilize old growth hardwood in their furniture is the natural beauty of the wood and heirloom quality of the finished pieces. The Amish believe in hard work but they see no reason for extraneous work when simple would do just fine. The dense fibers of the old growth hardwood add a unique shimmer and sheen to each piece of furniture, giving it a unique, yet uniform appearance. Amish furniture was likely made originally to furnish the homes of large Amish families and needs to last through the years. Through this process, the craftsmanship was perfected and Amish and non-Amish alike reap the benefits.

 

What About Amish Furniture for My Kitchen and Bathroom

Amish furniture has always been a favorite for anyone seeking new furnishings for their home or business. Amish tables and chairs have been passed from family member to family member for ages. Beautiful, well made, with styles that never go out of fashion, Amish furniture is the perfect addition to any decor scheme. But what about the parts of your home that you do not traditionally think of when thinking of Amish furniture? Are there Amish furnishings for your kitchens and bathrooms?

Amish Kitchen Options

Aside from the usual kitchen table and chairs, there are a variety of options when it comes to Amish craftsmanship in your kitchen. The Amish specialize in breathtaking cabinetry, with dovetailed drawers, and the warm hand finished all natural wood sheen. All Amish cabinetry is made with the same solid wood and techniques that are the hallmark of Amish furniture. Cabinetry can also be customized to fit perfectly within the space you have. If your cabinets are just the way you like them, there are still pieces such as freestanding islands to consider. Who couldn’t use the extra counter space and a few more places to sit? Not to mention the extra storage space.

Amish Bathroom Additions

As with your kitchen, there are plenty of varieties of cabinetry styles that could be customized to fit your bathroom. Another lovely bathroom addition is an Amish made lavatory, both single sink, and double sink varieties can be created. These lavatories can be either freestanding or built into your bathroom walls. They are available in a wide variety of traditional styles that will stand the test of time as you change decorating schemes over the years. Depending on your space and bathroom needs, a custom Amish made vanity could be an excellent addition.

Possibilities are Endless

When considering which pieces of quality Amish made furniture to add to your kitchens and bathrooms, be sure not to limit yourself to items categorized for these rooms. You might find shelving in an office category that perfectly fits your vision for additional storage, or a ladder display stand for a towel rack. Browsing the pages of your online Amish furniture store you will find sideboards, clocks, chests, and even jewelry boxes that can fit into your kitchen or bathroom.

Amish Furniture is a Stellar Choice for Every Room in Your Home

Amish furniture choices are not limited to rocking chairs and hope chests. In these modern times, all of the best inventory of Amish craftsmen are in reach of anyone with an internet connection. A quick browse will show you choices for every room in your home, even your kitchens and bathrooms. When you buy authentic Amish furniture, you can be sure that you are getting quality items that will last. All Amish furniture is handmade using techniques that have been honed over the centuries by Amish families who take pride in their work.

 

Why is Amish Furniture the Right Choice for my Growing Family?

Amish furniture is a popular choice among the most haute decorators. Rustic and kitsch are ever popular styles in decorating and country style is experiencing something of a revival. But Amish furniture isn’t just for the hottest decorators, Amish furniture is an excellent choice for a family. Amish furniture is a durable and lasting choice for a family, large, small, or burgeoning.

Quality Materials and Craftsmanship

The Amish use only quality materials that have proven their worth over centuries of use. The Amish use only solid wood for their furniture and the wood is milled in such a way as to be stronger in the overall finished piece. The patterns used in the furniture are traditional patterns that have proven the test of time. The furniture is designed to be solid, crafted and finished completely by hand. The joinery is made by hand and is part of the wood, the Amish tend to use dovetail joinery to add strength to a piece.

Stands up to Wear and Tear

Amish furnitureThe Amish are known for having very large families so it would follow that their most popular Amish furniture styles would be designed to last through many children. Indeed Amish furniture is considered heirloom quality. It will last through your children and grandchildren, probably longer. The all natural materials and added strength through construction ensure that any piece you buy will stand up to the worst your children can throw at it.

Easy to Keep Up

Children are not the most graceful of creatures. They spill things, they knock things over, they make a mess in general for most of every day. Amish furniture is perfect for busy families because cleaning and upkeep are so simple. Simply wiping the wood down with a damp cloth regularly and using an all natural oil every once in awhile keeps the sheen and beauty of your piece. Spills aren’t an issue as the finish gives the wood a natural degree of water resistance, simply wiping it away should suffice. Scratches, nicks, and rings, are easily remedied with a natural oil such as walnut oil.

A Perfect Choice

The durability of Amish furniture coupled with the low technology crafting methods and natural materials used make Amish furniture a very green choice for home furnishings. So many families today are concerned with reducing their carbon footprint. Choosing to buy Amish furniture gives you not only great looking furniture but the satisfaction that you are helping the environment with your choices.

The last but not least benefit of choosing Amish furniture for your family is that you can shop for Amish made furniture from the comfort of your own home or anywhere else you can get the internet. There are many sites online that work with Amish craftsmen to connect with consumers all over the world. These sites maintain a warehouse of the most popular designs and often allow you to customize in order to get the perfect piece for your family!

 

How to Buy Authentic Amish Furniture Online

Amish furniture is a perennial favorite for the savvy decorator. The classic styles and warm wood tones can fit into any decorating scheme and the pieces are created to stand the test of time. In the past acquiring Amish furniture required a lengthy trek consisting of multiple trips into Amish country to order, check on, and pick up the pieces that you desired. There are many sites online that purport to sell authentic Amish furniture, but how do you know that you will be getting authentic Amish made furniture when you order from a website. We all know that the Amish eschew technology, they do not maintain websites, do they?

Where to Buy Amish Furniture

It is very important to protect yourself as a consumer by doing your homework before spending a considerable amount of money on a piece of furniture. Vetting the websites you utilize is vital. Look for sites that do not shy away from providing their physical addresses and contact information. You should be able to find information on their warehouses, craftsman, and inventory. Look for sites that have quantities of information on the styles in which they specialize as well as information on the timeline from ordering to arriving at your door. You should be able to access reviews from other customers and the best websites have endorsements from the Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection entities.

How Do I Identify Authentic Amish Furniture

Authentic Amish furniture is always made from solid wood. You will not find cheap veneers and pressboard in an authentically Amish made piece of furniture. The wood itself will be quarter sawn or plain sawn. Quartersawn and plain sawn wood is more stable and shrinks less, it also lends itself to a more beautiful final look as the rings and lines in the wood add shimmer and flecks. When wood treated this way is finished by hand with sanding and varnish, it is far superior in appearance to anything factory made. Amish furniture is almost always joined using crafted joinery such as dovetails, anything stapled and nail gunned together is likely not authentic Amish furniture.

Protect Yourself but Enjoy Your Shopping Experience

The internet has brought the world closer together than ever before. This enables you to find information on nearly anything you want and shop for anything you want from the comfort of your own home. This means that you can have quality, heirloom ready furniture made by authentic Amish craftsman in every room of your home. Armed with the tips mentioned, you will be able to determine the best sites with the best inventory of authentic furniture to fulfill your every desire. You will have the quality and beauty of a handcrafted, solid wood creation delivered from Amish country to your door.

Save Time and Buy Amish Furniture Online in Washington

Amish furniture is highly sought after in Washington for many different kinds of homes and businesses. Classic styles that suit any design scheme coupled with durability make Amish made furniture a worthwhile investment. Authentic Amish furniture is handmade using tried and true techniques and all-natural materials. This makes the pieces durable and beautiful.

Most people believe that purchasing Amish made furniture is a huge time sink, with driving to a showroom or an Amish business then returning after the order is complete to pick up the pieces you have ordered. With today’s busy schedules, most people do not have the time to make long journeys, regardless of how badly they want to obtain quality furnishings. It is exactly for this reason that many Amish furniture retailers have expanded their businesses into the online marketplace.

Finding a Reputable Site for Amish Furniture

There are many sites online that purport to retail Amish made furniture. It can be anxiety-inducing to try to choose one. The vast majority of Amish sects eschew technology as a tenet of their faith. This means that Amish craftsmen are prohibited from running websites and selling their wares on the online market. In an effort to bridge that gap and open up the customer base, there are Amish furniture expositions in Washington which are highly attractive to non-Amish retailers. A good retailer will develop a relationship with the Amish craftspeople, setting them up to become the middleman for the non-Amish searching online for quality furniture.

  • Choose a site that can tell you who their craftspeople are, the materials they use, and the quality they produce.
  • Choose a site that is vetted with local business organizations and has published feedback of their business practices.
  • Choose a site that allows for ease in answering questions and doesn’t just take orders via an online cart process.

The site and the store representatives should be knowledgeable about styles, wood choices, finishes, and the personal talents of each craftsman. Shopping online gives you the ability to check and cross-check various sites in a short amount of time.

Why Buy Online

Buying online is a viable option for both those who can not travel the distance to a physical Amish furniture store and those who do have the ability. Shopping online gives you access to parts of the country that you can not reach by car in a reasonable amount of time. When you buy online, you will have access to a larger inventory than you would in a small family run local shop. Each retailer has access to multiple families run Amish manufacturers This will undoubtedly save you time as well as giving you a greater choice in furniture pieces. You will have choices of many styles, stains, wood, and upholstery options, no longer being constrained by what is only available locally or the style of the local craftsmen.

You can create the perfect combination that works for you all from the comfort of your own home! Another benefit of purchasing furniture online is delivered right to your door. You do not have to worry about coordinating your delivery through local services. It also saves wear and tears on your personal vehicles. Because many of the online retailers also maintain warehouses, you may not have to wait for a piece that you desire to be made by the craftsman then sent to the staining facility before it is ready to be shipped to you. This can shave months off of your shopping process!

The Choices are Yours

Shopping for a quality piece of Amish furniture, or a whole house full of Amish made furniture, is easier and quicker today than it has ever been. Although it might feel out of place to search for Amish furniture online due to the Amish beliefs about technology, there are many caring companies who have set up as middlemen online to assure that you have access to valuable furniture you desire for your home!

 

Use Amish Furniture to Bring New Life to an Old Bedroom

It happens to everyone; at some point, you wander into your bedroom and come to the unfortunate realization that you’re going to need a change, and you’re going to need that change soon. So, what can you do? Chances are you’ve already shopping for new carpet, but what about the furniture? If you’re like most people then you would REALLY like your next bedroom to remodel to be your last, and for that, you’re going to need furniture that isn’t breaking after six months. Okay, let’s be honest here, you’re not going to get that with big box furniture.

We all know that telltale ‘crack’ that occurs when you sit on your couch for the millionth time, or that horrific chip that’s missing from your entertainment center which you might later try to glue back in, but you know very well that it’s never going to look the same again. The solution to this is to start purchasing higher quality furniture pieces, and quite frankly, that’s going to mean looking into the best Amish furniture.

Amish Bedroom Set

Why Buy High-Quality Amish Furniture?

When you’re outfitting your bedroom there are a few specific pieces that you’re going to need which can include:

  • Bed
  • End tables
  • Dressers
  • Night Stands
  • Storage
  • Entertainment Center

 

Naturally, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are plenty of other options for you to explore when creating the perfect bedroom furniture set. The thing to remember, however, is that while there are many high-quality furniture makers out there you will definitely want to stick with buying online Amish furniture, and we’ll explain why. Some of the best furniture makers out there often use green wood, which is wood that has not dried completely. This tends to be a rookie mistake, and it helps to signify the importance of choosing a furniture maker that has been around the block a time or two and knows to use dried wood as this will keep the furniture piece from cracking, warping, or coming loose from its joints in the first few years of use.

Outfit your Bedroom Properly

If you take a look at our website you’re going to find a huge range of products, and unlike many physical Amish furniture stores, you will find that shopping online gives you far more access to different Amish furniture styles and different pieces. From Mission to Shaker, and anything in between, you can create the perfect bedroom set by choosing from our collection. We not only have the items that we mentioned above, we also have them in many different styles. Our beds, for example, come in the typical bookcase style, or you could go with the more stylistic wrap around, depending on your mood and preferences.

If you want to save some time, however, it would be a good idea to take a look at our bedroom sets which allow you to choose the type of wood and the type of stain. Remember that the wood type will change the price of the bedroom set, but it will also give you more control over both the look and quality – keep that in mind as you are about the task of designing the perfect set for your bedroom.

In the end, the Amish furniture for sale online and in stores will make your bedroom look great, and it will definitely raise the overall quality. Browse our selection, choose your material, and change your space in the best way. Amish furniture for sale online is the best way for you to breathe new life into an old bedroom.

 

Amish Furniture Stands the Test of Time

Amish furniture has become a popular buzzword of late. Rustic styles have had a revolution when it comes to decor and even the urbanest populations seek out the nostalgia and kitsch of more rustic styles. Nothing portrays rustic better than Amish made furniture and city dwellers are fast learning a secret that those who live around Amish country have known for decades: Amish furniture lasts. The quality construction of Amish furniture and the care that is put into building each piece ensures that every item is of heirloom quality and far superior to anything found on the mass market. There are more than a few reasons that Amish furniture reigns supreme.

Wood Choices for Amish Furniture

The Amish use only solid wood in their builds. You will not find any sort of plastics, veneers, or pressboard in an authentic piece of Amish furniture. The Amish source only seasoned hardwoods, mostly from their own local lumber mills. This means they can inspect trees before they are felled for pieces and that they know the techniques used in milling. Likewise, the millers will often pull out special cuts of wood and set them aside for certain pieces of furniture.

This communication from tree farm to carpenter makes for a level of quality control that is unseen in today’s mass produced goods. The Amish also do not use green wood in their furniture. Green wood is wood that is fresh, it still retains a lot of moisture from growth. This wood tends to bend and change size. This is not at all ideal for building. The Amish season their wood, ensuring that the moisture has left the wood before beginning work. Seasoned wood does not warp or shrink, it also takes varnishes and sealants better.

Centuries Old Techniques

The Amish take pride in the work that they do. A family will often have multiple generations working side by side in each carpenter shop. When a family member finishes schooling, which for the Amish is typically eighth grade, they go into the family business beside grandparents, parents, uncles, and cousins to learn on the job. This enables someone to learn techniques by seeing them employed over and over. Since the Amish eschew electricity and most modern technology, there is not a constant learning curve for Amish carpenters. They build pieces using tried and true methods. Some of the designs employed in Amish made furniture are nearly indestructible. A century old set of drawers made using dovetailed joinery often holds up better than a brand new particle board set that is glued together. The Amish do not often use staples, glues, and plastics in their construction if ever, they prefer older methods that have stood the test of time.

Attention to Detail

As mentioned before, the Amish do not use electricity or modern manufacturing methods in building their furniture. As such, they do not spend their days watching chair after chair fly by on an assembly line while air guns slap staples into the wood. Even still, Amish furniture looks as if it was produced by the most precise computer programming. The gloss of the varnish highlights the natural beauty of the wood, the angles of the pieces are sharp, the joints fit together seamlessly. This is due both to the ageless techniques employed and the care which goes into each and every build. Every hand from seedling to varnish is that of someone who knows their job well and relishes seeing a job well done. This work ethic radiates from each piece of furniture and contributes much to the durability of each piece.

Built Tough

Amish furniture is built to last. Attention and care go into every piece of wood, every bolt of fabric, each swipe of varnish, and it all comes together to create furniture that is an investment. Paying for quality today ensures that you will have something to pass on to posterity.

Live Edge Wood Furniture and Natural Edge Wood Furniture

When you think of furniture, even Amish furniture, symmetrical edges and corners come to mind. Let’s be honest, the Amish pride themselves on perfection, even though every single piece is going to be entirely unique. Live edge Amish furniture for sale, however, is something entirely different, and it’s definitely something you’re going to love if the rough, rustic look is something that you’re going for.

What is Live Edge Amish Furniture?

To be quite frank, live edge furniture is precisely what it sounds like. The furniture style involves the carpenter incorporating the natural edge of the wood into the actual design. Due to the existence of this design, there are many furniture makers who are able to incorporate salvaged wood that was otherwise unsuitable for conventional woodworking – it’s conservation at its best. Something important to understand when you’re at an Amish furniture store is that these pieces are not going to be cheap. Typical Amish furniture for sale is not going to be cheap by any means, but there is definitely something special about live edge and the amount of skill required to create unique edges and cuts. To put it as simply as possible, it’s an art form.

Live Edge vs. Rustic

Amish furniture for sale onlineSo what is the main difference between live edge Amish furniture for sale and the age old rustic furniture? Well, to put it as simply as possible, a live edge is a mix between the western and rustic styles. If you want to get down to the basics, rustic furniture features the raw elements of the tree it came from. In the rustic furniture arena, you have two different types of construction, the first being bentwood, where sticks are harvested freshly to create new and interesting shapes. Twig work is the second, in which the twigs are simply assembled to create decorative shapes. It is not abnormal to see hybrid pieces where both techniques are worked in together.

Live edge, on the other hand, uses entirely different techniques and is well adjusted for formal settings as it simply features the rough edge of the tree. You can find live edge furniture in many different styles, from both modern and timeless, making it perfectly adaptable to any setting. We tend to prefer our live edge furniture in walnut, as it lasts the longest and looks the best. Basically, instead of a smooth edge, you’re going to have a curved one that may be slightly sanded, but will most resemble the tree from which it was cut.

Unique Furniture to take Home

You can rest assured that any Amish furniture for sale is going to be absolutely unique and incorporate elements that have been passed down from generation to generation. The construction techniques that have been employed will excite you, and they will ensure that the piece lasts for many years to come. Unlike other furniture makers, you will not need to worry about green wood being used, which means your furniture is not going to warp within the first few years of its life.

This will ensure a more expensive piece, but it will also ensure a piece that is going to last you for the rest of your life. It’s worth the investment, and live edge Amish furniture for sale online will add that much-needed bit of character to your space whether it’s for your conference room, your living room, or your waiting room. Check out our options today and choose something different.

 

Three Ways to Tell You’re Getting Authentic Amish Furniture in Oregon

Your furniture serves not only a functional purpose but can define the entire atmosphere of your home. Quality pieces of furniture in a classic style are versatile and can last through many incarnations of your style choices. Good quality furniture is an investment and can be handed down to your descendants, becoming family heirlooms. Amish furniture in Oregon is always a good, solid, choice when shopping for furniture. Hand crafted and made from quality materials, any Amish made piece enhances the beauty and durability of your home. Are you seeking Amish furniture but do not know where to start? Perhaps you have a piece of furniture in your home and you are unsure if it is truly Amish made?

Vet Your Amish Furniture Store

Amish furnitureThe chief way to be able to discern if you are getting authentic Amish made furniture is to be critical of the place in which you purchase or look to purchase your Amish furniture. Most people are not lucky enough to be able to drive out to Amish country and stop by the local Amish carpenter’s shop themselves. For the unlucky majority, relying on resale shops and furniture specialty stores is the main way of procuring Amish made furniture. Ask a lot of questions. A salesperson should know where their pieces are sourced and manufactured.

Ask about the location of the craftsmen, what sect they are, what types of tools they employ. The salesperson should be knowledgeable about the wood uses, the varnishes used, even the crafting styles of each individual piece. If they can not divulge their sources and manufacturers, then it is likely that the shop does not sell authentic Amish furniture and you would be best taking your money elsewhere. Do not be afraid to check places like the Better Business Bureau to get your store.

Inspect Before You Buy

Before you place an order for furniture, inspect the sample pieces thoroughly. The Amish take pride in their work, there should be no evident flaws. Amish furniture prices do not run cheap so you want to make sure that you know what you are buying before you make a purchase. Any reputable store will not have any qualms about you inspecting their goods. Ask to see wood samples, varnish samples, and style samples. If you are buying online, these same qualifications should apply. Additionally, you might be able to rely on reviews from previous customers for your information.

Pay Attention to the Quality

Amish FurnitureAuthentic Amish furniture is made on a small scale so little details that can only be found when something is not mass manufactured should be present. Is the piece heavy or light? Most natural wood is heavy so any piece should appear sturdy and feel heavy for its size. The styles will be traditional in nature, shaker, Windsor, mission, rustic, cottage, etc. The Amish do not make more modern looking pieces. Check the wood, the piece should be solid wood, no veneers, particle boards, or laminates.

The Amish only use natural, classic materials for their furniture, the presence of the aforementioned manufactured materials is a dead giveaway that you are not looking at authentic Amish made furniture. Look for signs of the piece having been made by hand. Dovetailed drawers are a good indication of something being handmade and a trademark of Amish furniture. Hand sanding and finishing are also good indications. Do not be afraid to touch the piece, test the finishing under your fingertips, jiggle it, check to make sure it is solid.

Quality Shows in Your Home

It can be daunting trying to decide on what additions to make to your home, especially if you are venturing into a new area. Amish furniture is always a solid decision, it can last for many generations and the Amish classic styles fit into any design scheme. With the right frame of mind and attention to detail, you can assure that you are getting quality Amish furniture for your home.