Archive for the ‘History of Furniture Making’ Category

Amish Solid Wood Furniture: A Brief Education on Veneer and Veneered Furniture

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Wood veneer is used to give furniture a fine wood grain appearance less expensively than using a solid piece of that wood. Wood veneers are produced in very thin, 3 mm or less, sheets. It is most often used on less valuable woods or materials in order to give them an outwardly attractive appearance. Most [...]

Tips To Buying Hand Crafted Hardwood Furniture by the Amish: A Brief Definition of Case Goods

Friday, February 27th, 2009

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 [...]

A Brief History of the Evolution of Baby Furniture: From Cradle to Crib

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

 
The ideal bed for an infant or toddler is a crib crafted by Amish craftsmen from solid hardwoods, native to North America. Although the Amish have perfected the art of baby beds, cribs, armoires and changing stations they did invent the practical child’s bed. Baby cribs have been around for centuries. As early as Moses, [...]

Grand Rapids Furniture: Grand Rapids Michigan Contribution to Furniture History

Monday, January 5th, 2009

 American Amish crafted furniture is custom made from American solid hardwoods, individually stained and finished to meet high quality standards. American’s love of hardwoods is shown in its history. The history of the United States proves conclusively that native solid woods built this country and cities like Grand Rapids, Michigan stand as reminders of that [...]

Living Room Seating Definitions: What is a Sofa, Couch, Davenport, Divan, Chesterfield, Love Seat Or Settee?

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

Living room seating has changed gradually over the centuries. Words and language evolve just like furniture styles and designs. Throughout the centuries home furnishings have came a very long way from their beginnings and so has the verbiage we use to describe or name the furnishings. Here are a few that you may or may [...]

Honest Shakers: Why the Shaker Craftsmen Did Not Use Paint or Veneer on Their Solid Wood Furniture

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Like the Amish community members the Shakers were known for their integrity and honesty; not just in their personal lives but in their furniture designs. Even when the Shakers became aware of their profitable designs they did not let money take precedence over their morals and beliefs. The Shakers carried on business as if they [...]

A Closet Is More Than a Closet: Definition of Armoires, Wardrobes, Chiffoniers, Chifferobes

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

 
Armoire – An early french term for a cabinet, wardrobe or closet that is usually tall. The armoire originally was used for storing weaponry in medieval times rather than clothing. Usually double doors cover the interior which contains shelves, open space or hanging apparatuses.  
Wardrobe – A wardrobe is a cabinet intended primarily for the storage [...]

Modern Contemporary Furniture by Modern Amish Craftsmen

Monday, October 27th, 2008

 

Modern furniture buyers are both savvy and sophisticated consumers. Like Mission, Shaker and Arts and Crafts the Modern furniture consumer is not just a buyer but an investor and a collector. Many of these knowledgeable furniture connoisseurs have found the Amish craftsmen of Northern Indiana have held true to the Modernist’s ideal that human beings [...]

What Exactly Is an Amish Cheval Mirror? A Brief History of Its Origins

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

 Cheval mirrors became possible as skills and knowledge improved in mirror making. The cheval mirror, also called cheval glass, is a full length mirror inside of a decorative frame and swinging from a vertical, legged or pillared larger frame that is mounted on trestles or bars, standing on a pair of feet. This supporting frame [...]

A Brief History of Mechanical Furniture and the Morris Recliner Chair

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Mechanical furniture like the Morris reclining chair have a long, interesting and well documented history thanks to great designers like William Morris and Gustav Stickley and important design authors like Sigfried Giedion. In these icon’s footsteps dedicated Amish craftsmen still produce mechanical furniture and recreate solid wood Morris chairs. The Amish Morris Chair recliners are [...]