Bonnets are not only worn but collected as home decor accessories. Once upon a time a bonnet referred to the headgear worn by a man, not a woman. From priests to beef-eaters, the head coverings were masculine attire. The Scotch still refer to caps as “bonnets.” In its original form the definition of a bonnet [...]

  
A PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
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 [...]

Why worry about travel safety and soaring transportation prices this year when you can plan for a vacation to paradise in your own backyard? For less money than you would spend on a cruise for two you can convert your patio into a private resort setting using handcrafted custom patio furniture from the Amish. These [...]

As independent a creature as the domestic housecat, when a cat is ready to socialize with humans they love to play, cuddle and purr for no reason other than being near you. That alone is reason to own them…or, let them own you. Unfortunately, the thing they love even more than snuggling with you is [...]

While we may collect things from sports cards to furniture simply for the enjoyment of the hunting and the gathering, most of us collect knowing that there is a chance if needs arose, we could sell that collection. Many a handcrafted Amish built bookcase holds the world’s most prized collectibles. It is a fact that [...]

Packing up your home and moving is never easy, especially if you are doing it on your own. After tossing away things you have accumulated and probably never used, gathering up various sizes of boxes at every grocer and liquor store in town for packing, boxing up everything you can live without a few days [...]

The community we call “Pennsylvania Dutch” are actual descendants of German-speaking settlers. Since early settlers arrived in about 1683, the word “Dutch” became a corruption by English-speakers of the word “Deutsch,” which means “German”. The traditions and cuisine of these Pennsylvania Dutch has long held a fascination with outsiders. One of these fascinating traditions is [...]

The rich warmth of a traditional handmade rug adds depth and personality to any room. Hooked, needlepoint, latch, knitted, crocheted, woven, painted canvas floorcloths, braided or twisted from torn strips of discarded fabric a handmade rug is a one of a kind treasure. How you care for your handmade rugs will make an extreme difference [...]

A preferred showcase chosen by many collector’s of fine porcelains like Royal Doulton is the hardwood bookcases, curios, china cabinets and shelves designed and built by the Amish. Like Amish heirloom pieces the precious and highly valued and regarded collectibles and décor items designed and crafted by the Royal Doulton Company are world-renowned and highly [...]

 
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, [...]