Style Guide – Summer Picnic

Picnic Table Set

Picnic Invitations

Solar Lanterns

Green Plate Set

Tumblers

Patchwork Drink Cooler

Homemade Biscotti

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.

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!

For a unique and spacious place to sit and enjoy a little barbeque or a picnic in style, you might enjoy this four sided picnic table. The square table is surrounded by four attached bench seats with backs that can accommodate 8-12 picnickers comfortably.

On the deck you might want to add this corner settee with two chairs, a corner table, an umbrella hole, and two cup holders. You can even add a magazine rack to the table to make it the perfect place to enjoy a glass of lemonade while reading your favorite gossip or sports magazines.

This garden arbor is a wonderful and decorative piece to add to any backyard garden area. The seat in the middle is a great place to take a rest while enjoying the fruits of your gardening labor or you can display potted plants on it instead. You can even remove the seat and place the arbor over a path or walkway for a quaint and pretty look.

There’s nothing like enjoying your morning coffee or watching the sun go down while swinging or gliding with someone you love out on the deck or in the backyard. Starting and ending the long dog days of summer seem to go a little more smoothly while sitting on this glider loveseat or loveseat swing. They can also provide a relaxing place to sit while watching the kids play.