American-made Furniture

American made furniture makes up only half the furniture sold in the U.S. It is an industry that can greatly benefit from the Buy American mentality. However, finding such furniture may be a little difficult. Instead of checking the “Made in ____” stamp on every piece of furniture that you buy, tap into another movement that emphasizes the same ideals of the Buy America movement, but on a smaller scale. Buy Local.

To Buy Local is to buy American

We’ve heard politicians and economists alike proclaim that the American economy will find it’s resurgence in the fuel of independent, privately owned American small businesses. This initiative has been carried out in small towns across the country championing the “Buy Local Movement”.  We’ve been big supporters for our local business advocate organization, Think Local First.

Typically, local furniture showrooms are filled with furniture manufactured in nearby plants and warehouses. There is no need to turn over a piece or examine it for a country stamp. In addition, the pieces are handcrafted according to American standards and codes and therefore are both sturdy and stylish.

As we have pointed out in previous blog posts, buying local pieces transfers direct benefits to the community. With local workers selling goods to local homes, capital stays within the the local economy. Local taxes also come from the employees and the furniture company as added benefits for the local government and schools. Local artisans are able to find a larger market for their goods while the consumer takes home a one of a kind piece.

Buying Amish is Buying American

The Amish community of artisans makes and sells their furniture locally. These artisans are known for their craftsmanship and their simplicity. The pieces also adhere to American safety standards, something that has become very important through today’s frequent recalls.

The Amish community also creates their furniture from local materials. For example, the Red Oak Changing Table Wardrobe (shown right) is made from Northern Red Oak wood found in and around the Michigan, Indiana area. No rain forests are harmed or endangered trees are used in the creation of the pieces. The same can be said from all locally made furniture—if it is truly locally made.

Buy Local, Buy American

The point of both movements is to help the economy where you live. The largest benefits are of helping the community, the local artisans, and the employees of larger local furniture manufacturers. Those locally spent dollars get you a piece of furniture that is hand made by skilled people, not a fully automated process. Buying local and buying American can thus mean buying quality.

Today’s Amish communities are as entrepreneurial as the Shakers, helping to support and build their communities using their gifts as honest artisans. The world appreciates the unique custom designs that contrast so obviously from the mass produced disposable furniture offered in most showrooms today. These solid wood designs are premium heirlooms that showcase the integrity of a community very much like their brothers and sisters in the Shaker villages.

Like the Shakers the Amish live every part of their life based on religious principles. This includes the quality of their work, whether at home or in the workshop. Today the Amish wood worker in Northern Indiana crafts the same designs with the same quality of materials and skill as their ancestors. The same principles and beliefs held by the earliest Shaker furniture designer and builder are still honored by the Amish woodworker. With traditional designs like the traditional Burlington table or the neatly lined Bungalow chifferobe, chest, bed, dresser and nightstand you can bring the same warm style to your home.

The Shakers were always a small group whose self-imposed abstinence insured their demise. At their zenith the group held about 4000 members spread among nineteen self-sustaining communities. The Shakers lived the example set forth in the Holy Bible about living in the world without being a part of it. The community’s business sense was astonishing, especially for a small nineteenth century religious organization.

Although not part of the world it is obvious that Ann Lee, the group’s founder who had arrived the New World pre-American Revolution, was influenced by the Federal design style of that era. The Shakers had taken the Federal template and created a less formal and more rural design based on the needs and ideals of the farming communities they settled in. The influence of their religious beliefs and their country settings brought forth functional furniture with clean and simple lines. This was especially appealing to those who were suffocating under the opulence and gilding that was the Victorians.

The Shakers not only opened the door for the Arts and Crafts Movement in America but actually inspired some of its founders. The cousin of Arts and Crafts, American Mission and its father, Gustav Stickley, were quite possibly more warmly welcomed because of the influence of the Shaker ideals and products.

The years surrounding Civil War was not just a separation of tastes politically but one in interior décor. The last part of the 19^th century in North America saw the blending of many very strong interior design tastes within one home. Many consider this to be the Eclectic period in American history. This eclectic collecting may have resulted from the easier access to more thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Machine made products kept products flowing at a much less expensive rate. Large scale manufacturers in Grand Rapids, Michigan were pumping out furniture to the common man at easy to pay for levels.

BRIEF INTERESTING FACTS FROM THE LATTER 19TH CENTURY ECLECTIC ERA-

• In rapid sequence designers birthed first Gothic then Elizabethan and finally rococo. While these co-existed in popularity in the mid-century they did not co-exist under the same roof. All three were used and admired but not blended.  
• The latter half of this century saw even more design styles, like the Renaissance style, emerge but none truly retire.
• This was the era of the kings; from France to England and from Louis to Henri.
• The big English furniture designers Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite shined brightly in the Victorian days. Colonial, Centennial Revival and Empire became common by the turn of the century.
• In large part thanks to William Morris and his Arts and Crafts philosophy and followers furniture was being influenced by far away lands like Turkey, Japan and Persia.
• Charles Eastlake agreed with Morris and Lewis Day on their discrimination against mass produced furniture and wrote a book touting the belief that home furnishings should be made by hand or machine workers that truly took artisan pride in their work.
• During these decades many felt a prejudice towards keeping it American and a cry went out to create a style distinctly American.
• Very distinct designs and designers emerged during this time and many published books that became hard and fast bibles used by designers, cabinetmakers and other furniture builders.
• Almost always if a design style became popular the wallpapers, rugs and accessories  appropriate to that style became available.
• No matter how modest the home it was believed that there should be a library, a sort of retreat for the family.

The 20^th century saw less desire for homes to be so eclectic. A yearning for something more simple in American homes was emerging. The birth of styles like Modernism had brought a sense of more efficient and less cluttered designs like the contemporary designs found from Amish-Furniture-Home.com.

THEMES- Some themed rooms do attempt to draft all the Disney characters in the attempt to get the flavor of the theme park all in one room. While this can work beautifully if thought out and not too cluttered with over a half a century of characters, more impact can be created by narrowing it to one character or movie.  There are inspirational themes for even the pickiest pre-teens, such as Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

WALL COLORS -Wall colors create a canvas to build your world on. For instance, the Disney princess world is in pastels such as  pale blue, yellow or pink. Most of the male oriented Disney themes are in bright primary colors such as the reds and oranges for pirates, Toy Story, CARS, etc. Painting each wall a different color can add interest or create a bold statement with one wall differing as a focal point.  

FURNITURE – The largest piece of furniture in a room is usually the bed and the Amish have crafted beds from twin to king, along with the amazing flexibility of the convertible cribs that will last a childhood or more. Themed bedding with pirate ships or race cars are available in every major store and will tie together any theme. Creating a mysterious tent by suspending gauze or fabric above the bed for a canopy is an inexpensive way to create the mood.  Solid wood cedar chests can be treasure chests while bookcases and shelving, custom stained to match your Amish heirloom furnishings, will hold all of your Disney collectibles.

FLOOR COVERS – Use oriental rugs as magic carpets from Aladdin or a canvas rug, painted with a race track for CARS and including Matchbox or Hot Wheels for interactive play. Princess Pocohantas loves faux animal skin rugs and a Mulan themed room is easily enhanced by choosing Bamboo rugs.

WINDOWS – Window treatments should be playful but functional. Think theatrical when cutting foam board to create portals on a pirate ship or placing shutters inside the windows to recreate the Old World styling of Beauty and the Beast. Alladdin themes are beautified by hanging an Indian inspired candle lantern, with its intricate cut-outs that silhouette in the dark in a window. This same simple candle lantern can just as easily become Tinkerbell’s home. A painted on Arabic arch or a deep sea theme surrounding the window frame is simple enough for even those artistically challenged parents.

Along with your child develop and an idea of what you want the room to be. Use that vision to trigger your inner child’s imagination. Use resources to inspire you and include your child in the creative process. Before you know it you will transport your child’s room into their own happiest place on earth.

You just have to believe!

 Renting furniture seems like a viable option in a bad economy that is suffering from a credit crisis. In fact renting home furnishings is usually a losing investment in most circumstances and not an answer to no or bad credit. Investing in high end, solidly built heirloom quality furniture, if only a piece at a time, is a more stable financial decision. In some short term cases renting furniture instead of investing in permanent goods may make sense. Keep in mind this is renting with the intention of it being short term and not rent-to-own. For instance, your company has moved you to a job for a year. Even renting for home staging to sell or events can be financially sound. Instead of buying furniture that expensive movers will haul away in a few months, it very well might make more sense to rent. Mass produced furniture depreciates, while moving, packing and storage expenses keep going up. These situations are not common but do exist so here are a few tips to help educate you on renting vs. owning.

QUALITY VS. AFFORDABLE –

Even in temporary situations you don’t want to buy anything that falls apart. Rental centers are not apt to carry a handcrafted heavy duty finely built maple dining room set but are sure to have press board with photo-finish. Test out the furniture before you rent it. If it feels weak or uncomfortable in the store it will in your home.

BE A SMART CONSUMER -

When renting furniture you are entering in to a contract that is binding. Quite simply, you need to read it and understand it BEFORE you sign it. The details can haunt you and your check book for many months. How much do they require down? What is the agreed upon conditions of returning the furniture? Is there a hidden delivery fee? What is normal wear and tear? Are the items you are receiving pre-rented or new?

Even at a rental store you should be asking what the country of origin the furniture maker is located. Also ask for guarantees and return policies.

WHAT IS THE ACTUAL COSTS? –

Doe sit make more sense to buy used furniture for your short term use than to invest in renting? How many months are you staying in this situation? How much to buy a couch or dining room set? Divide it by the months you are staying and if renting is more then buy. This of course is under the condition that you can pay cash and not have to finance furniture, adding on interest. Consider even buying one good investment piece and supplementing with rental items. You will have something that is yours that makes you feel like your home.

Whatever you decide, whether it is to go all rental, all used or to supplement with one or two pieces of quality furnishings like the Amish create, stay away from rent-to-own centers. The interest rates are exorbitant but are hidden in months of payments that cause the final price to be triple its value. By the time you are done paying these mass produced items are no longer in existence. Also, if you are an apartment or house renter remember that you will be spending a great deal of income on a home and its furnishings that will not be yours. Renting may not be the answer to credit when it comes to furniture

If you consider the disposability of inexpensive mattresses you will realize that you are not actually saving by having to replace inferior bedding over and over. Saggy and lumpy are not the words you want to use to describe your bed. With a lower quality and less well constructed bed you will get less comfort and definitely less support, inevitably causing physical discomfort.

Carefully measuring your bedroom before selecting your bed or bedroom suite will insure a good fit with room to actually move about. Understanding your own personal size needs will also help you determine what your needs are. A good rule of thumb is 38 inches of width per person is wise. Add 10 inches for height. A double bed is actually not truly a double when you consider that it only allows for 27 inches of sleeping space per person.

The National Association of Bedding Manufacturers has a set standard for sizes:

SMALL STANDARD TWIN:

38″-39″ X 75″

EXTRA LONG TWIN OR LONG BOY TWIN:

38″-39″ X 80″

OLD STANDARD, FULL, DOUBLE:

53″ – 54″ X 75″

QUEEN:

60″X 80″

KING:

76″X 80″

KING EXTRA LONG:

76″X 84″

CALIFORNIA KING:

72″X 84″

Queens have raised to the top of the popularity polls because it does not consume as much floor footprint but gives 20% more sleeping room than the old most popular double bed.

Another tip is to buy a mattress based on your firmness needs. A bed should support all pressure points on your body properly. It should also keep the spine, when in a reclining position, straight.

Remember to lie on any mattress before buying it, especially a foam mattress or topper. Foam should not have enough give that it is a struggle to escape from its grasp to roll over.

The Amish craftsmen have stunning pieces that shine in both craftsmanship and design. The stylings include details like mitered panels, turned bun feet, square posts and decorative adornments that only the Amish can do well.

 Art Deco-

Art Deco was born in 1925 at the Paris International Exposition and lived and evolved over a quarter of a century. Evoking images of nude nymphs, geometry-centric lines curves and shapes, early chrome and glass and caricatures of greyhound dogs, Art Deco has often been misunderstood.

Within the genre of Deco there were several sub-categories. French Deco was opulent; using exotic inlaid woods along with leather and fur. American designers adopted the symmetrical curves of French deco and included in every detail of their designs in that era, from furniture to jewelry. Modernism was hot and vinyl coverings and chrome-plated brass was in vogue.

By 1950 Deco included black wrought iron and pink accent pieces and was so massively produced it is still easily found by collectors today. Blue tinted glass top tables and “Chase” chrome were hot décor items.

Art Nouveau-

Literally translated Art Nouveau means “New Art”. This often whimsical New Art appeared in every facet of decorative arts at the end of the ostentatious Rococo period of the 1800s. There was a famous shop on the Rue de Provence called “L’Art Nouveau”. This gallery was opened in 1895 by the German art dealer Siegfried Bing in Paris and its core focus was on modern art. After the “1900 Exposition Universelle” the shop was popularized because of the displays of Bing’s modern furniture, tapestries and objets d’art. So strong was the connection between these modern decorative displays and the store that the name of Bing’s gallery became a commonly-used term for the décor itself.

Just as William Morris’s Arts and Crafts Movement did, Art Nouveau maked art part of everyday life. Louis Comfort Tiffany (February 18, 1848 – January 17, 1933) was an American artist and designer who used Art Nouveau designs to create an empire. Tiffany worked in the decorative arts but is best known for his stained glass and lamps in the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements.

Art Nouveau held a fifteen-year peak in the decorative arts world. It fell out of favor with the arrival of 20th-century modernist styles.

Arts and Crafts-

The final quarter of the Victorian era, the late 1800’s, saw the entrance of machines in the field of manufacturing. It also saw the revolution against in the way of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Born in Britain it soon spread to the United States via designers like Elbert Hubbard and Gustav Stickley. The Arts and Crafts Movement itself gave birth to Craftsman and Mission designs.The Arts and Crafts Philosophy subscribed to the idea of purifying art. These artisans and philosophers believed that designs should follow the function. Simplicity and craftsmanship were highly held virtues.

Expert metalworkers like Albert Berry and Dirk van Erp found a name for themselves in this genus. Their work is still sought after and collected by Arts and Crafts devotees today. Furniture in this style is usually heavy, squared, highly functional and usually made of a sturdy hardwood like oak.

The first step to organizing a closet or armoire is deciding what stays and what goes. Starting with a clean slate is a benefit few acquire, but if it is possible to empty the closet and then begin elimination, it will optimize your efforts. If your discards are truly reusable then there are two benefits. Parting with gently but seldom worn clothing and shoes is made easier when the items go to a charity. You get your needed space and organization and someone else benefits. Remember to add a basket in the closet to collect clothing discards regularly.

Reassess your storage space regularly. To keep your closets functioning optimally you really need to look at them closely every six months.

BE PREPARED

Clothes, coats and accessories stored for the season need to be protected from light, moisture, and insects. Keep a supply of acid-free tissue paper to wrap textiles in and cedar inserts to stave off insects. Dried lavender is also another great smelling option to include.

STORE IT RIGHT

Simple swatches of ultra suede fabric can be glued to wooden hangers using a bit of craft glue. These swatches will provide just enough friction to keep your delicates and hard-to-hang items from giving you the slip.

Purses are a great example of why having acid-free tissue on hand is important. You can stuff your favorite bags with acid-free tissue paper, helping to keep their shape when not in use. You can either purchase shoe bags or simply stitch two panels of flannel along three sides. Slip your shoes inside with a sachet of cedar shavings inside them to protect your shoes from light and dust.

Purchase bulk, low cost, twenty-inch cloth napkins or cut fabric squares to size. These squares can be used to protective coats, vests, jackets, etc. that you don’t or can’t store in garment bags. Make a slit in the center of each one to slip over the hanger.

Computer printers can help you create ID tags from digital pictures that you can hang attached to card-stock tags to identify the contents inside of your garment bags. This will save you many frustrating minutes trying to remember which bag holds your tux and which one your winter coat.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR CLOSET

When deciding on an armoire or closet try to opt for one made from solid woods and houses adjustable shelves rather than fixed ones. The Amish craftsmen have designed many styles in many varieties of woods and stains. Shelves that move will allow you to change the arrangement of the closet as your storage needs evolve. By opting for a cabinet with shelves you can use open containers or baskets for things like shoes or small items. Organizing like things together in bins, baskets, or boxes is the best way to minimize chaos.

THINK PRACTICALLY

Remember to place heavy items below waist level and rarely used items on the higher, harder to reach, shelves. Stash a step stool beside the closet, and you can even store things in closed containers or boxes on top, maximizing your storage space.

PUT THE LIGHTS ON

If a closet is dark inside, it will be difficult to find what you need. Consider adding a battery-operated light if your closet has no power source. Note that incandescent light can also help prevent mildew.

With the Arts and Crafts Movement reaching its zenith from 1900 to 1915 by 1901, Stickley had turned “mission” furniture into an American living room standard. Suffering from an over-exposure to the gilded machine age of Victorian England, social reformers such as William Morris and John Ruskin founded the Arts & Crafts movement in Britain during the late nineteenth century. Their literal philosophy declared that a return to simplicity was needed to protect society from the growing inhumanity of the Industrial Revolution.

After traveling to Europe, Gustav Stickley was deeply inspired by these European social reformers. After his return to the States Stickley constructed an organic philosophy of simplicity and function that became famous world round. His take on the Arts and Crafts philosophy came to life in his radical and functional furniture style. Furniture was not the only thing Gustav cared about when creating an organic environment for the American home, and in fact he soon began designing the actual homes. Stickley published the famous Craftsman magazine, hosting the Craftsman Home Builders Club, through which tens of thousands of blueprints for homes were free to subscribers.

Today Amish craftsman, many like Stickley of German ancestry, bring the same honest, integrity that Gustav Stickley sought when he designed his American idea of Arts and Crafts called Craftsman. Solid native American hardwoods, fantastic stain choices and durable construction and finishes, are all available now in Mission, Craftsman and Arts and Crafts designs; thanks to the honorable woodworking Amish artisans, keeping Stickley alive today.