Absolutely no manufacturer of home or office furniture makes finer case goods than the Amish craftsmen of Northern Indiana. Understanding how a great case good item is designed and constructed will insure you have chosen your pieces wisely. Furniture is divided into two basic construction categories – upholstered furnishings and case goods. A case good was originally the furniture designed for storage purposes, such as dresser, cabinets, desks, and bookcases. It is thought that the name case goods derived from the fact that early chest of drawers, evolved from trunks and travel chests, resembled cases.

In today’s furniture industry the category known as case goods has expanded to include tables, headboards, etc. If the furniture item can be included in a bedroom or dining room it most likely falls in to the case good category. Since most case goods involve a framed construction solid wood is consider the best quality material, although other elements can be used, such as plastic, metal, etc.

When examining a case good for purchase it should meet three specifications:

Esthetical value

Quality of materials

Integrity of construction

ESTHETICAL VALUE

Your furniture choices should not just be trends but investments that can be used as your tastes or lifestyle progress. Amish furniture designs include every major décor trend from Mission, Craftsman, Arts and Crafts, Log Cabin, Adirondack, Lodge, Shabby Chic, Modern, Contemporary, Shaker, Traditional, to Tuscan, and on and on. The native hardwoods are available in oak, maple, cherry and walnut, including variations in each of those categories. The Amish include a spectrum of stain option topped by the almost everlasting finish known as ARESISTOVAR.

QUALITY OF MATERIAL

Ask questions of your sales team about the origin of the wood products used to create their designs. Guaranteeing that the wood was properly prepared can promise that the piece will keep its original dimensions, warding off warping and cracking.

The idea of veneer applied to cheaper wood underneath is a matter of taste but the Amish do not craft items in need of veneering. Like the Shakers the Amish believe that their fine furnishings do not need to be covered up by a faux finish in order to persuade you to buy.

INTEGRITY OF CONSTRUCTION

Understanding joint construction and how it affects the lifespan of your pieces will help you to know what to look for, too. The point at which a leg or case is joined to its other parts can determine its strength or its weakness.

Pull out drawers, look underneath and behind. Methodically examine them to see if they have been sanded and finished. This is the sign of true craftsmanship. All moving parts should fit well and move easily.

The finish should be examined in a strong light to check for even application of stain and finish. Run your hand over the surface to be sure you feel a smooth and even finish.

The Amish know their mission is to provide you with heirloom quality furniture built and stained to fit your needs. While there are many Amish furniture craftsmen available to choose from, Amish-Furniture-Home.com, and its dedicated staff, have made it their life’s work to hand select only the finest quality products built. Each piece is built to order and crafted to last generations.

Tags: Adirondack, Amish Furniture Styles, ARESISTOVAR, Arts and Crafts, Bookcases, Craftsman, heirloom quality furniture, Lodge, Mission, Shabby Chic, shakers, veneer

This entry was posted on Friday, February 27th, 2009 at 11:04 pm and is filed under Adirondack, Amish Furniture Styles, Arts and Crafts, Bedrooms, Bookcases, Cedar Chests & Trunks, Cherry Furniture, Craftsman, Dining Room Furniture, Hickory Furniture, History of Furniture Making, Lodge, Log Cabin Homes, Maple Furniture, Mission, Modern & Contemporary, Oak Furniture, Rustic Furniture, Shaker, Storage, Understanding Hardwood and Furniture Construction, Upholstered Furniture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.