Posts Tagged ‘hardwood’

A Brief History of The Use of North American Hardwoods

Monday, July 13th, 2009

 
Hardwood as a natural resource that has helped shaped not just communities but the evolution of societies in to countries such as the United States. Natural resources have always been a major factor in determining how well an environment can sustain people but wood has an influence that runs deeper than everything but food and [...]

A Brief History of the Solid Wood Windsor Bentwood Chairs

Monday, June 29th, 2009

 

 
 
There may not be a better known or more duplicated wooden chair in the world than the Windsor. The Windsor is well recognized for its bentwood back frame and its pegged legs going directly in to its wooden seat. The Windsor is differentiated from other styles of chairs because of this styling that normally are [...]

Purchasing and Displaying Your Collection: 5 Steps To Being A Confident and Successful Collector

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

 Amish solid wood bookcases, shelves, corner cabinets and hutches, that themselves are collectible, are the optimal organization center for any collection. Today’s collector knows that the best way to showcase your collection is in a central area, instead of spread throughout the home or office. Collecting is as old a desire as the hunting and [...]

The Trinity of Furniture Designers: The Big Three – Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Chippendale

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Chippendale, the big three, were the Holy Trinity of furniture designers in the 18th century. Hepplewhite and Sheraton were extremely popular furniture styles in the late 1700s and remain the most desired of traditional designs even today. The traditional creations from the Amish woodworkers still keep the designs alive and affordable in solid [...]

The Americanization of the Arts and Crafts Movement : How William Morris Inspired Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Design

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Born into a working class German-American family, Gustav (born Gustave) Stickley was born poor enough that he was put to work by his father at age 12. While William Morris was born into a posh English family and later philosophically rejected it for his utopian socialistic ideals, Gustav and his brothers were not so privileged. [...]

Top Tips on Purchasing a Holiday Christmas Tree For Your Home of Office

Monday, December 15th, 2008

 Whether you are buying a live Christmas tree to replant later, a fresh cut real Christmas tree or an artificial holiday tree there are some simple and practical tips to be sure you are spending your time and money wisely. This should be a memorable family event including learning about different species, measuring and even [...]

What Does Organic Mean? What is Organic Design? Ask Frank Lloyd Wright

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Frank Lloyd Wright believed in organic lifestyles and environments. His thought was that “The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built.” In the early part of the twentieth century Wright and other organic minded Arts and Crafts [...]

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 [...]

Why Buying Bargain Furniture May Not Be a Bargain

Friday, October 10th, 2008

The truth is solid wood customized hand made furniture is not inexpensive. The use of quality hardwoods and individual craftsmen adds a cost to each piece not seen in mass produced cardboard framed, pressed board framed and particle board framed bargain furniture. The price difference makes the temptation to buy “bargain” furniture, especially when finances [...]

Understanding Walnut Hardwood Amish Furniture

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

 Walnut is one of the beautiful hardwoods that are used by Amish craftsmen in well-designed and elegant home furniture. This wood has been a favorite with carpenters for hundreds of years because of its strength and its deep brunette character. This chocolate brown wood stands out against other lighter woods, making a stunning contrast. This [...]