Style Guide – Summer Picnic

Picnic Table Set

Picnic Invitations

Solar Lanterns

Green Plate Set

Tumblers

Patchwork Drink Cooler

Homemade Biscotti

Can furniture be a wise investment? Even in a slow economy? According to the Kovels website data gatherers number three of the Top Twenty most sought after searches in July 2009 was indeed furniture. The Kovels are considered the leading expert in collectibles and antiques and not only publish the most sought after price guides but now, thanks to the internet, are able to accumulate data in real time based on the results of hundreds of thousands of searches that take place on its website daily.

Furniture has actually held in the top twenty all year while many other collectibles have fallen off drastically. While the small decorative items labeled Occupied Japan remain on top, people are still seeking to identify, find, purchase and sell large items like furniture. Summer time can cause decorators and collectors alike to seek out garden or rustic outdoor themed pieces. Pairing antiques and your Amish designs can give your home a whimsical garden theme.  Rustic furniture made of natural materials, native hardwoods and designed in organic shapes became popular in camps and gardens in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Amish builders craft hickory in to highly sought after furniture that brings the feeling of nature indoors.

Pieces featuring the organic look of log designs like the Lumberjack Hickory bed will remain a family heirloom. Benches, chairs and tables with accents reminding you of bent twigs and roots mimic the Adirondack themes of the Great Camps at the turn of the last century. Original bent twigs chairs sold at a recent Kamelot auction in Philadelphia for $1,230 but the Hickory King chair can be yours and usable for half that. This design theme has held its own for many decades and still remains a top searched furniture item on a top collector’s website, just as the Amish solid wood furniture at Amish-Furniture-Home.com is the number one custom furniture website on any search of fine heirlooms to invest in during any economy.

The Slow Food movement goes to the root of the love food, quite literally. They feel that in order to preserve the cultural cuisine we must preserve the food plants as well as seeds. They also believe that the domesticated food animals are included in that preservation. Slow Food lovers have formed and are sustaining seed banks that are storing heirloom seeds that may otherwise be lost. The idea of farming within an ecoregion is a big part of the belief system. Like the great orator William Morris speaking out for artisan and craftsmanship in furniture during the Arts and Crafts Movement, the Slow Food movement has local leaders who are responsible for promoting local artisans, local farmers, and local flavors through regional events like wine tastings, and farmers’ markets.

Besides preserving the seeds and the animals used in preparing a Slow Food meal the philosophy of the members is that we should be preserving and promoting local and traditional food products, along with their stories or lore and their preparation. They even host celebrations of local cuisine within each region. They also promote the art of eating quality food and educate consumers on the high risk involved in consuming fast foods. They also help educate consumers on the facts about commercial agriculture and “factory farming” with the high rate of hormones and the environmental impacts.

An heirloom quality solid Native hardwood table created by Amish craftsmen is the perfect place to host a Convivium a Casa. These events bring small groups of the movement’s local membership together to enjoy the pleasure of each others company in the intimacy of a host home. Here they share in the preparation and joys of a fine meal at a fine table. Each host a Convivium a Casa decides on how many people they would like to invite. Small groups of perhaps 6 to 10 people do allow for a more comfortable evening of conversation and fellowship. As a host, you get the honor of setting the menu and plans for the evening, although you can enlist the help of those who will be attending. Attendees and the host do provide the food for potlucks or do absorb or split all costs if not. By determining the format and the costs in advance it will allow members to know how much the event will cost.

 Sadly, the passing of Mike Tyson’s young daughter has brought to the forefront home safety issues.  Home can be one of the most dangerous places for a small child or infant and it is of major concern to safety and health officials. By following a few simple steps you can help to eliminate commonly overlooked areas in your home and increase your comfort and your family’s safety.

USED BABY FURNITURE - It is not just a sales gimmick crafted by the baby furniture industry to part you with your money. Used baby furniture may save you money but cost you injuries or even a baby’s life. A good rule is no furniture later than 1978.

1. The first step in insuring the safety of your infant is to check with the manufacturer or online to be certain that the item has not been recalled.

2. Obtain current guidelines for measurement such as distance between side rail bars. Currently they are 2 3/8 inches apart, with no large cut-outs on head and foot boards.

3. Is the paint loose or chipping and most of all child safe and lead free?

4. Cedar chests or toy chests should have hinge support to prevent the lid from slamming down on little fingers or heads.

Choosing solid wood handcrafted furniture protects your investment and your child. Solid hardwoods withstand generations of children and their teething episodes.

KITCHEN -

1. Kitchen chairs and stools should be positioned far enough away from stoves that if a toddler mounted them they could not reach hot burners or pots.

2. Have you put child locks on your pantries and custom made cupboards or cabinets?

3. Move all knives and sharp objects farther back in the drawers and cabinets.

LIVINGROOM -

1. Move all glass objects to the back of your Amish built tables. A heavy vase, object d’art or picture frame can be a deadly weapon when it’s pulled down on to a curious child’s head.

2. Cable all window shades cords and electrical cords up and away.

3. Be sure your big plasma or HDTV television is securely mounted to your custom built television stand or entertainment center. Home injuries to children have increased by a record 41% because of oversized televisions.

4. Are your bookcases secured? Solid wood bookcases are well built and steady but on carpet or uneven flooring an accident can happen. Simple wall brackets can secure any cabinet or book case.

5. Have you applied protective padding or rubber corners to your solid wood living room tables? The corners are sharp and can cause injury to a small child.

6. Have you protected your child from entering your fireplace area? Whether electric, wood or gas it is an obvious area that should never given easy access to.

BATHROOMS -

1. Amish crafted corner cabinets and bookcases make beautiful and functional bathroom furnishings to store prescriptions and toiletries in. Be sure to secure these items to prevent ingestion by a child. This includes prescriptions, mouthwashes, hair sprays, perfumes, etc.

HOME OFFICE -

1. Check for cords, whether from electrical or telephones. It is wise to unplug when not in use and wind up those cords. Dangling cords attract and easily go from playful toy to noose.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE-

1. Check for splinters that may have occurred with use and changes in the wood. While Amish outdoor furniture is finished by hand regular care and maintenance will prevent accidents.

GUN CABINETS -

1. Amish craftsmen build handsome gun cabinets complete with locking features. Remember -KEEP THE KEY HIDDEN AND AMMUNITION STORED SEPERATELY

With the passing of Memorial Day summer is officially here and so is the need to learn how to care for the solid wood patio furniture hand built by skilled Amish craftsmen. Most people assume that since it is outdoor furniture that its mere ruggedness means no cleaning or maintenance – or at best it gets its first out cleaning and its end of the year cleaning. While the high quality outdoor patio, porch and deck furniture available from Amish designers and woodworkers is made only from the best native hardwoods available it still needs care to insure your investment for many years. From chairs to tables these pieces have fantastic moisture tolerant properties and do withstand rigorous outdoor extremes, but care is still required for a lifetime of use.

SOAP AND WATER? IS IT REALLY THAT SIMPLE?  Yes, a simple bath of a mild soap and water once a week is the simplest and most inexpensive care you can give your wooden outdoor furniture. From outdoor meal residue, pollution, bird droppings and even chlorine from the pool, no matter what your furniture is exposed to the faster you remove it from the surface the less the chances of damage. Simple and often overlooked items like carbonated sodas can create a chemical reaction on even the most durable of furniture finishes.

Warm, soapy water and a lint free rag followed by a rinse of clear water to remove any soapy film residue is all you will need. Drying is always a good idea to prevent warping from too much moisture. Remember to use caution on any bare woods because the water will raise the grain. It’s also a good idea to wipe down any outdoor furniture that isn’t under a covered area even after a rain.  

TOO TOUGH FOR A BUBBLE BATH?  Many regions cannot help it; there water is full of hard minerals. If your outdoor furniture has mineral deposits from water left standing, these deposits can be carefully rubbed off with either rubbing compound or polishing compound. Remember to use care and follow directions. You will also have to give the same rubbing to the whole connected area to even it out.

Also check for splinters that may need a bit of sanding to prevent injuries or snagged clothing.

COVER IT? BUT, IT’S OUTDOOR FURNITURE!  One of the best investments you can make when deciding to decorate your patio or deck with wood patio furniture is in patio furniture covers. Good quality patio furniture covers are made of synthetic material and can literally add years to your furniture items. They are available in standard sizes, or you could have them custom made for your furniture and can be found in decorative colors. No matter how sturdy and durable your Amish furniture and its finish is adding additional protection from the elements, such as sunlight and water, two of the most destructive elements for wood, is a smart consumers choice.

Solid custom built wooden patio furniture is definitely the biggest statement you can make this summer. Since you were smart enough to invest in the best it is also smart to be responsible for this furniture. If covers are not an immediate option when furniture is not in use then consider moving pieces indoors, especially for long term storage.

Because he was one of a kind in many ways, the evidence of his journeys may be documented in the wake of porches in his path. No builder was seen to travel the New World as much as Peter Harrison so it is logical to assume he influenced structures along his routes. It seems that everywhere there were well traveled waterways there porches were built, suggesting that the architect carried his ideas from dock to dock.

While it is impossible to credit one man for a country wide sweep of an outdoor room there is always the desire to accredit. While Harrison obviously had a widespread influence other cultures and peoples also may have increased the idea of adding an open room to the outside of a home. The British, French and Dutch settlers all enjoyed porches. Only the Spanish held to the haciendas with indoor courtyards, not out. Some consider the influence of ships bringing ideas from the West Indies, with its large Caribbean plantations and their verandas.

Since Louisiana’s lower Mississippi River is known for its porches, this could make one consider that the French may have played a part in porches in the South. Since the French were not settled in every colony or part of the country it is highly unlikely the spread of porches to all areas of the country except New England was caused by them. Even more thought on the origins of American porches leads us to it being an African concept, since slaves were building the new country and were found working in all the areas porches were found. Perhaps African and even Haitian customs helped to grow the outdoor room idea.  

While no one is certain exactly what caused such a love of porches it is still notable that Peter Harrison did have a great influence on the addition of porches to old and new homes in America despite his never truly adapting to America as his home. British by birth Peter Harrison was loyal to the crown, eventually bringing ruin to him during the chaotic years of the American Revolution. His collection of original drawings were burned in an act of terrorism by a band of revolutionists shortly after his death.  His work was never catalogued for posterity and thus lost.

A portico is a porch or walkway with a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building. George Washington added a full length portico to Mount Vernon in the late 1700’s. It was a 94 foot piazza, a term quite commonly used in that era. In fact a piazza originally was an Italian design for a public square with room for pedestrians.

The Washington family did not have the availability of Amish crafted patio furniture but they did furnish their outdoor patio room with thirty Windsor chairs. Painted Windsor chairs where often used as outdoor patio furniture. In true Grecian style the Washingtons took tea outdoors.

Nowhere was the porch made as famous as in the South. Southern plantation home builders included massive wrap around porches that enjoyed the cool of the evening on a sweltering Southern night.

By the mid-1800’s porches on any size American home was common place. Large eighteenth century British homes had always had terraces to view their gardens from but soon they fell into the American porch fashion. Terraces were uncovered and often the garden held a gazebo for resting and enjoying the flora and fauna. Since gazebos were for the rich the idea of adding a porch to the home allowed even the commoner to enjoy the garden.

More United States presidents than George Washington are famous for their use of the porch. William McKinley ran for office from what appeared to be his front porch in his same named “front porch campaign”.

PLANTER BASKET GIFTSET-

If mom is a gardener she can find reports and inspiration at the National Gardening Associations website http://www.garden.org/regional/report . Write this site on a card and place it inside a custom stained cedar planter, along with new gardening tools, gloves, seeds or plants.

MAKE A WISH -

What mom really wishes for is a relaxing spot to call her own. This wishing well is available for gardens or yard decors ranging in size from 30″ wide to 50″ wide. It can be placed on a patio, as an accent to a water feature or even indoors as a planter. Don’t forget to include a bag of pennies for tossing!

MAKE MOM A ROCK STAR -

So you think your mom can’t rock? Her kind of rocking may not be to heavy metal but she can certainly rock out to solid wood! With a good book, or a grandchild on her knee, she can watch the world go by from her porch with a customized old fashion rocker. The Amish crafters build Adirondack Rocking Chairs, crafted from aromatic red cedar which has a natural resistance to rot. Custom stained, no mom could resist this heirloom rocking chair.

RELAXING GLIDERS AND SWINGS -

Moms are stressed. It comes with the territory. Therapists have long known that the act of rocking, swinging and gliding is beneficial to a human’s mind and body. The pendulum action is soothing while also making you more focused. Set on sturdy frames, the Straightback Deluxe Glider or the Suspended Swings provide an enjoyable gliding or swinging experience. Customized from aromatic red cedar, which has a natural resistance to rot, these are available in varying shades of stain.

BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH ON THE DECK -

The Elegant Chat set is perfect for holding a casual breakfast or brunch buffet on Mother’s Day. Later it will be a well used gift, serving snacks at pool-side parties, relaxing in the cool of the evening or playing cards with friends out on the patio. Constructed from aromatic red cedar, this wood has a natural resistance to rot. This solid wood, custom-made and custom stained set includes a generous 36″ round table and four straight-back chairs.

LUNCH IN HER BACKYARD PARK -

A simple Picnic Table Set is a great addition to any yard, patio or deck. This design features moveable benches that are independent from the table. This style gives you more options for varying seating arrangements. Pack a picnic basket full of mom’s favorite items (and those are always things she didn’t have to cook herself!) and hold a picnic in honor of her.

Your mother deserves something for Mother’s Day that is not only worthy of her but useful. Life is stressful and mom’s never take time to relax and care for themselves. While swings are not usually associated with adults and are usually found in the backyard or playgrounds, exclusively for children. In fact, swinging for adults can be very therapuetic and relaxing. A swing that is set in motion will oscillate like a pendulem, gently rocking and comforting the person seated in or on the hanging seat.

Swinging may seem a minimal way to actually work through stress but medical professionals have proven that children and adults with Sensory Integration issues, ADHD, and Autism all benefit from daily movement and stimulation. Occupational therapists often use different types of swings and swinging techniques to help regulate patient’s bodies. Swinging therapy helps them to focus while increasing body awareness. Besides that, the Amish swings are attractive, whimsical, nostalgic and just plain fun!

The Amish craftsmen create swings with or without independent frames for suspension. Whether you want to suspend your solid wood swing from the ceiling of your porch or from a strong wooden frame, a hand-crafted hickory, red oak, cherry, walnut and quarter sawn white oak swing will last a lifetime.

The generous 5-foot swing seating allows for more than one adult or child to swing at a time. These swings come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. The Deacons Bench Swing is a vertically slatted design with interesting architecture. It also can be custom ordered in separated rocker seating. The Adirondack style (available in a smaller 4 foot concept) swing sets are made from aromatic red cedar which has a natural resistance to rot.

If you are looking for a set in the yard or on a porch but do not wish to suspend it from a structure why not try an arbor? These sturdy and stunning arbors are available with sunrise designs on the side; making a beautiful impression when walking through any garden. You can then add a custom built five-foot swing in several wood options for relaxing and entertaining. The Sunrise Arbor walkway is a full 78″ wide.

The tripod settee is just what you would expect in a traditional swing set frame. Three legs on each end of the trestle support the swinging action with a stable foundation for carefree swinging. Now mom can enjoy the feel of a traditional porch swing even if she doesn’t have a porch, or doesn’t want to have suspension applied to her porch roof.

Because the Amish crafters design in either a free hanging, tripod or arbor base, their swings can be set up anywhere. Thinking of everything the woodworkers applied shelves on each side for snacks or beverages – or the Mother’s Day brunch you’re going to make her.

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 durable and handsome pieces of outdoor furniture will provide you years of entertaining, not just a quick weekend trip. When you convert your patio into a resort setting with long lasting solid wood Amish patio furniture you will be anxious to get home every evening to relax in your own retreat.

Step one is to determine your budget for this year‘s outdoor expenses. There are very funky and fun ways to convert the drab patio into a rendezvous on a small budget. With an investment in a few central pieces you can build from there and add on each year. This investment has a guaranteed pay off, with evening after evening of amusement in your own private backyard.

Step two may be to determine your decorating theme. The theme will determine the style of furniture you will be investing in, just as in your living or family room. Even though your patio may not be enclosed it is considered an outdoor room; in essence an extension of your own home. You may wish to create a tropical decorating theme or a traditional grill/picnic area look. The “Chat” set is perfect for pool-side parties or playing cards out on the patio and looks great with the either traditional or tropical themed accessories. The “Chat” set includes a huge 36″ round table, along with four custom, form fitting, slat-back chairs. The Amish woodworkers craft this patio design from aromatic red cedar, a wood naturally resistance to rot. The traditional “Picnic Table” set is a great addition to any patio, deck or backyard. This very practically designed set has benches that are independent from the table, giving you more options in seating arrangements. Topped with a red plaid tablecloth and a picnic basket, all you need is the ants!

Choosing benches, swings, easy chairs in cedar or rustic hickory create a warm and inviting area even under a wide open sky. You can even enjoy the feel of a traditional porch swing even if you don’t have a porch. A strong wooden tripod or arbor base holds the swing so it can be set up anywhere. The tripod base has three legs per side to provide a stable foundation for carefree swinging along with shelves on each side for snacks or beverages. The covered arbor is another beautiful option that features side panels with decorative cutouts and cup-holders. Furnishing add-ons such as a cedar planter or end table will tie an area together.

Stay home and enjoy your summer savings. Thanks to Amish ingenuity in no time you will be able to create the atmosphere of a relaxing retreat. Whatever ideas you may have for decorating for outdoor living there are plenty of available accessories at online and brick and mortar stores in your home town. Hang up a hula skirt and a beach umbrella in your drinks and travel agents will be booking trips to your backyard resort!