Here at Amish Tables, we believe embrace everything about Amish Furniture. That includes the it’s timeless quality and amazing craftsmanship, but also the lesser known eco-friendly, sustainability factors of Amish furniture. There’s also the amazing creativity that goes into interior designs integrating Amish pieces.

For this, our second Blog Carnival, we have collected posts from around the web that reflect the many aspects and elements that make Amish furniture beloved by so many.If you’d like to see one of your posts appear in next month’s Carnival, email us at casey@amishtables.com or ping us on Twitter. Remember, each article can be found by clicking the red title before each summary.

Enjoy the Carnival!

Color Your Interior To Match Your Moods – 16 Million Of Them

As we have documented numerous times on this blog, the color of your walls plays a critical role in your interior design. This post from Inventor’s Spot highlights a neat idea to help you keep your interior design fresh, without all the paint brushes. With this Living Colors Lamp you can change the “mood” of any room to match your furniture or other lighting effects. Don’t let the color of your wall hold you back from refreshing your furniture palette either.

Bug Infested Wood Transformed into Sleek Modern Furniture

It’s not over ’til it’s over for furniture makers at Straight Line Designs. The effects of global warming have produced higher-than-normal levels of Pine Beetles living in woodland areas, which has led to a landscape of damaged wood. Whereas many woodworkers have thrown this wood to the curb, Straight Line has found ways to transform “garbage” wood into beautiful arrangements.

Family and Furniture Drive Yalie

Wood furniture evokes a passion and sentimentality unlike it’s metal and plastic siblings. At Amish Tables, we recognize that each piece of furniture has its own spirit and personality. This concept is shared by Kerry Triffin and his wife Elizabeth Orsini, co-owners of Fairhaven Furniture in Connecticut for the past 30 years. Kerry works with woodworkers from all over the country, specializing in quality and craftsmanship. This article explains how furniture is so special, it’s apart of you for life:

“There’s some furniture that’s like a wife or a husband: You’d like it to go down the stream of life with you”

We absolutely hold this belief and it’s apparent in all our lines of furniture, like the Batavia Bed that will last for generations.

How To Select Wall Decorations

Wall Decorations are a crucial element to any interior design plan. When you walk into a dining room or living room, the walls should complement the rest of the furniture in the room.  But what are your options when it comes to wall decor?  This post from TCN-Seven.com points out five brilliant methods to covering your walls with more than just dry wall.

Eco-designers Display Eco-friendly Furniture at Milan Expo

This post comes from GreenDiary.com and chronicles the highlights from the Milan International Furniture Fair in which designers created eco-friendly furniture. Some designers went the extra mile and crafted pieces in the shape of flowers, grass and leaves. Check out the post for some breathtaking pictures.

It’s Only Natural

In honor of Earth Day last week, this blogger collected furniture pieces from around the web and describes what each designer intended with their “Green” piece. Great ideas and a wonderful blog post.

That does it for this Blog Carnival! Thanks to all those that submitted and look forward to next month’s post. And remember to keep the discussion going on our Facebook page. We post daily and have a great group of followers that would love to hear from you! Talk to you soon!

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.

No one is going to want to clean while their friends are at a great Spring Fling event or their team is playing. Schedule the clean up day when there is no, or very little, schedule conflicts. Double checking with everyone shows you respect their life and insures no excuses, no whining. Once you have a date set let everyone know there are no excuses accepted. This is a family event and the maintenance of the household is their responsibility, too.

No one likes chores so creating a fun and unexpected environment will create a productive atmosphere. Stock up on good food, snacks and drinks. Set up a schedule, just like a well run production firm, and use predetermined breaks that the family can count on for food, fun or relaxation.

Music has been scientifically proven to motivate higher production in workers and even better milk flow in cows. Imagine what would happen if you gave everyone a chance to have an hour of their favorite music on CD. Not only will music cause more movement but can you get to know each other better; opening up discussions that will make the time go by faster.

It can be an oversight to give chores to children that do not have the staying power or the organizational skills needed. Keep chores age appropriate. Providing work for even the youngest child is a great way to keep them busy and instill good habits. Sorting, carrying small items or even stacking things like books can provide them an opportunity to help. Children too young for even this should be sent to a sitter for the day, in order to keep the day flowing and productive.

Give a brief class on caring for the items in your home such as your Amish furniture investments. While the Amish use ARESISTOVAR for all of their finishes and it a high quality, catalyzed, performance coating for all types of interior furniture, it does need some basic care. Dusting your wood furniture often and carefully with a soft cloth following the grain pattern is a good idea. Also, occasionally clean the surface with a mild, non-alkaline soap and water and a soft sponge or cloth. Dry immediately with a soft cloth and buff lightly following wood grains. Always avoid polish that contains and silicones.

Organize you supplies before spring cleaning day arrives. A great idea is to fill a bucket with basic cleaning supplies that can be brought from room to room. These can be given to each individual or team. Include items like:

(Remember to avoid including furniture polish with silicone)

• Glass-cleaning spray
• All purpose spray
• Soft scrub for bathrooms and kitchens
• Flannel cloths to dust
• Terry cloth towels
• Paper towels
• Sponge
• Toothbrush
• Squeegee
• Scrub brush
• Rubber gloves
• Lint roller for pet hair (and humans!)

If the job is a good size you can make it more fun by dividing the home in to equal parts and jobs. The person or team that accomplishes the most by the end time is rewarded with a prize or a dinner.

As difficult as it will be, turn off the ringers to your phones. Let everyone important know what your plans are for day and that you will contact them upon completion. For every phone each of you take that many minutes are added to a job that your family will tire of more quickly than you can complete.

Don’t forget to add to the fun by creating a scrap book of the day. Pictures of the event can be used as evidence that you are the meanest parent on earth!

More important than maintaining the healthy physical environment in your home is to maintain a healthy loving one. Plan a reward for a job well done. Movies or dinner out or better yet order a pizza and rent a movie and enjoy it on your Amish dining room table, freshly polished during your memory building family spring cleaning day.

Whatever your obsession for collecting was routed into there may come a time to part from it. Even in the best of times life changes, money is tight, tastes change, space runs out, you marry someone who finds your beer bottles from around the world clashing with her doily collection…Whatever the reason, time may have come for you to lose the collection and gain the cash. Educating yourself away from the consumer thought process and towards the vendor end of the deal is wise.

The first step to selling your possessions is to determining your market. Ask yourself, where will you get the most money for your valuables? Today the availability of avenues to sell your collectibles is vast. From the old fashioned ads in your local paper to yard sales to online auctions, quite literally the world is your storefront. Decide what venue will give you the greatest access to the people who collect what you do? If you have in your collection any rare items the World Wide Web can pay off best. Bidding wars caused by auction frenzy and world wide monetary value differences can only benefit you the seller. A seller can only win when the world is your bidding audience. Include the auction fees when deciding whether to use an auction service.

A very specific target audience is the collector clubs. You may be able to buy and sell to members who obsess over what you have collected. Collector clubs can be reached through member specific publications or online sites and boards. True collectors are members who take the subject seriously. This is evidence of true passion and a truly passionate collector will come up with the cash if you have what they need to complete their collection.

Determine whether you want to offer the collection in bulk or individually. Ask yourself if selling as a whole or selling individually will bring the greatest yield. If you are in a hurry, selling as a whole is a quick route but, remember that selling separately or in smaller groupings can bring the highest amount. There is more time and effort in separating the collection. You also run the risk of being stuck with the less desirable pieces.

Showcase your collection in its best light, whether with pictures and description in print or online, or by insuring that it is in its best condition. Take the time to research your audience, pick the best marketing venue and display your valuables to your advantage. Caring for your treasures while you own them insures that their value is not diminished by improper storage. Investing in solid hardwood Amish designs like cedar chests, shelves, hutches and storage units not only create an amazing showcase but also help protect your investments.

While it is true that moving yourself can be a back breaking job, it may not only be money saving but necessary. Learning to do it properly will make the move easier and safer for you and your furnishings.

SLIDE IT – Sliders are amazing and simple inventions that can be purchased at your local hardware store. Follow the instructions that usually come with the product such as lift each corner and put the slider underneath so that the smooth edge is towards the floor. The sliders will eliminate the friction and allow the heavy furniture to move very easily. Sliders work best on carpeting. A great tip to consider is if you continually move the furniture it will be easier to push or pull. A scientifically based fact is that friction greatly increases when something comes to a stop.

ROLL IT – There is more than one way to skin a cat and to move a heavy piece of furniture. The idea of rollers has been around at least as long as the pyramids. Heavy objects can be moved by putting broom handles, or thick dowels or rods underneath, and then just roll, replacing dowels as you travel.

PROTECT IT – If you have wooden floors, put a piece of old carpet, carpet sample, rugs, cardboard or a durable thick towel or blanket under each leg before you move an item of furniture. The furniture will slide more easily and won’t scratch the floor, protecting it.

Glass tabletops need special care and the route must be cleared of all obstruction. Criss-cross masking top over the glass, in case of breakage. Wrap the glass tabletop with furniture moving pad or wrap a blanket around it and tape securely. Of course this should be done while moving any piece of furniture.

ASSESS IT – Is the object top heavy? Do not use these techniques to move heavy objects that have extreme height, such as book shelves or tall boys. Their top heavy nature may cause them to topple and cause damage and/or more work, especially when fully loaded.

Always empty all items and books before attempting to move any case goods. The weight alone can pull at the joints and cause damage. Parts that can be detached or drawers that can be removed should be. If you must lift the furniture remember to carry it where it is the strongest.

Don’t just assess the furniture you are moving but the room or path you are taking to move the furniture to. Check for issues with doorways or other items that can hinder the move or cause damage to your item.

BELIEVE IT – It is not just an urban legend that one wrong lift can cause a lifetime of pain or worse, disability. Be careful not to lift with your back only; instead use your legs. Keep your torso and upper body relatively straight and almost vertical and when lifting heavy furniture, lift with your legs first, then your back and your arms.

One of the Pennsylvania Dutch groups, the Amish, has a diet considered to be considerably low in processed foods. Although influences have crept in based on the various regional and religious backgrounds (predominantly the Amish, Mennonite, Moravians, etc.) of each of the Pennsylvania Dutch communities, the tables and cupboards of a typical home are loaded with the resources of the agricultural lifestyle they cultivated in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Bringing little with them except salt and a few spices, these early Pennsylvania Dutch cooks were highly ingenious in their methods of food preservation. Using methods like smoking, drying, brining, pickling and even dried fruits in their cooking, they made their larder full. The philosophy of balance was achieved with the salty pickling and the sweet treats creating the seven sweets and seven sours meal.

True to their beliefs in not wasting resources, the Pennsylvania Dutch cooks often made use of food parts otherwise discarded. Like the Shakers the Pennsylvania Dutch were green before green was fashionable, honoring God and their world by using their assets in a responsible and accountable fashion. From pig organs to watermelon rind, nothing is wasted in the home of a Pennsylvania Dutch family.

Especially maintained by Amish families today, is the idea of seven sweets and seven sours, which stems from an ancient European custom based on the belief that everything should be properly balanced. Usually served in large families, and especially when serving company, seven various pickled foods, relishes, and spreads are laid out on the table. Because of the lack of of refrigeration these are often preserved in the summer for winter consumption. Alongside these are served the heartier starchy, and more filling dishes as part of the evening meal. These delicacies can be accompaniments or served by themselves.

The traditional sweet and savory or sweet and sour foods can be mixed all in the same dish as long as “seven sweets and seven sours” should be represented. The traditional “sweets” are usually based on locally-grown fruits such as apples, berries, or even candied watermelon rind. The “sours” are pickled onion, cauliflower, beets, tomato relish, spiced cucumbers and even more specialties that grew from definite German Old World influences. Their spicy flavors and their endless variety fill many an Amish themed country store. Spicy, pickled, preserved and cured, the Pennsylvania Dutch woman has always known how to present a spread for large families and groups from spiced peaches to pickled chow chow.

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 in its lifespan. Because of varying content and techniques all handmade rugs, such as hook, require extraordinary caution and care to protect your asset as well as the artisan’s endeavors. Today’s rugs are not only utilitarian floor coverings but also an investment opportunity in craftsmanship and artistry.

1. Beater bars on vacuums are a big no-no on shags and on hand-made floor coverings.

2. Even though it is a popular misconception, beating a handmade rug is actually not good for it.

3. Unless the rug is heavily engrained with sands, etc. even shaking it out is not suggested.

4. A simple turning of braided rugs will help them to wear evenly and extricate any dirt lodged in the fibers.

5. If your rug is small enough to fit in a dryer, using the cool air settings only, you can give it a two minute turn to freshen it.

6. A once a year but thorough cleaning is fine for most rugs and floor coverings.

7. Remember: If your rug is worth investing in then so is the cleaning method. While there are home treatments it is best to leave high end carpets to the professionals that have the right tools and the room to allow the rug to dry properly. Be certain the cleaner you choose understands your type of rug and can insure proper cleaning methods.

8. After any cleaning it is wise to re-add any moth preventatives and stains repellents.

9. Remember that any new rug needs a “settling” period. Be diligent to allow it a week or two to flatten to its floor. Pile carpet can be rejuvenated every few days to prevent it from compressing too early.

10. Padding can not only add life to your rug but can prevent slippage. A simple rubberized pad or back can be added.