The Brandenberry Amish Furniture Christmas drawing found a variety of holiday shoppers entering for a chance to win one of three prizes.  Here’s a re-cap of the lucky prize winners from Brandenberry’s Christmas prize drawing:

• Laurel K. (Goshen, IN) – Blanket Chest
• Bonnie B. (Valparaiso, IN) – $100 Gift Card
• Mollie K. (Goshen, IN) – $50 Gift Card

Thanks to everyone who visited us during the holidays and stay tuned for more upcoming sales and celebrations throughout the year!

The holiday season can be a busy time, full of frantic trips to the mall, harried phone calls and late-night wrapping sessions. So don’t be afraid to take a breather and head North to Amish country where you can get a dose of a simpler life. Winter in Shipshewana is a busy time, full of activities and events for families to enjoy the sight, smells, sounds and tastes of all that Northern Indiana’s Amish country has to offer.

The “Shipshewana Ice Festival”, featuring professional ice sculptors creating a dazzling display of ice sculptures, runs from Dec. 28th-30th. Young and old alike will be amazed by the raw talent and inspiration in display here! December 30th also features a snowmobile race (sign-up early to participate, or arrive on-time just to watch) and a one-of-a-kind chili cook-off!

Check out more holiday events and make sure to stop by Brandenberry Amish Furniture to browse Amish-crafted furniture, made right here in Indiana!

• Figure Your Budget – While solid wood furniture is high quality, its initial price is higher than its factory-made counterparts. But figure longevity into the equation, and an Amish furniture piece may become a cherished family heirloom for generations to come. Assess your budgetary limitations, figure time and durability into the equation, and make your choice!

• Make the First Move – Take the step toward procuring your dream pieces by contacting a trusted expert, whether that person be a salesperson or friend. Search retailers or designers that offer hands-on help on a personal level. Amish furniture retailers may be a viable option here. Then you can come in with questions and ideas knowing they will be fielded with genuine care and interest.

Still interested in learning more about the vast world of solid wood furniture? Come visit our Shipshewana furniture store and find a complete selection of Amish furniture. Browse Mission furniture, Shaker furniture, traditional furniture, rustic furniture, custom and modern furniture and everything in between. You’ll soon discover what makes Indiana Amish furniture so special. And when you stop by, be sure to say hello!

Buying a new house can conjure a special mix of nerves, excitement and dread. The inspection, the loans, the envisioning of a new future…yet transforming your new house into a “home” can be an exciting process. Here are a few tips to finding the right home furnishings to turn your new house into the cozy home you’ve always been dreaming of:

• Assess Your Essentials – Every home-owner has the “essential” furnishings in mind. The trick is to simply narrow the field to a select number. Try for 4-6 furnishings that are “must-haves” (whether these be a plasma TV stand, coat rack, jelly cupboard or toy chest is up to you). Simply create a list, prioritizing the pieces in order, and stick to it! You’d be surprised how helpful it can be to clearly articulate and define what exactly you’re looking for.

• Keep An Eye On Quality – In the world of home furnishings, solid wood furniture, and traditionally-crafted Amish furniture are considered to be the pinnacle of quality. Yet there are a number of alternatives to the traditionally-crafted furniture route. Many of today’s furnishings are crafted from a variety of materials and in a variety of styles. Discover what furniture pieces pique your interest!

Stay tuned for pt. 2!

Here is part two of last week’s blog:

• Never Compromise – Simply put, if you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t settle. Always refer to your list of characteristics you desire in a furnishing (i.e. comfort, style, hardware, durability). Confer with a helpful sales representative, if available, for more information. The search may grow tiresome, even discouraging, but keep trying! You never know what will turn up. If you are truly at a dead end, check out the next tip.
• Consider Going Custom – Certain retailers offer custom furniture. For example, Shipshewana, Indiana is home to an Amish furniture community in which custom retailers have found a niche. There, a sales assistant can check out your list, discuss possibilities of customizing a piece and getting what you need. Whether it’s offering custom options or creating a custom piece from scratch, custom furniture is a possibility for even the most inexperienced furniture enthusiast.

If you’re unsure about going custom, which can be an intimidating prospect, your best bet is to talk with a friendly sales rep who can inform you of the process, show you some previous creations and make sure that you find exactly what you’re looking for! For help with stirring up ideas for potential solid wood furniture pieces, check out our Indiana Amish furniture store and view our wide selection of Amish furniture. We offer Shaker, Mission, traditional, rustic, modern and custom pieces that provide something for everyone. Shipshewana furniture has been a well-kept secret for some, but for those who’ve visited the small Amish community here, the quality of the furniture speaks for itself.

Home owners can attest that finding the perfect home furnishing can be a challenge. Balancing the demands of comfort, durability, price and style matching can become a juggling act. And should a modern home furnishing built of plastic hold priority over the classic solid wood furniture traditionally associated with a new home? Consider these simple steps to procuring the perfect furniture piece for your home and consider custom furniture!

• Compare and Contrast – If you choose to go with custom furniture, take notes on what other pieces you like. Create a list of characteristics and features you’re looking for in a furnishing, or even create a sketch. Whether it’s a Shaker style leg, Mission furniture slats or sleek, burnished finish, start to compile your list of “ingredients” for your ideal furniture piece. Once you clearly define your needs or wants, stick to the plan and find your piece!

Check back in a few days for part two!

Much attention has been given to the famous (or infamous) “Amish Fireplace”. It has graced full-page spreads in USA Today and innumerable newspapers, often with photos of diligent Amish craftsmen building the mysterious fireplace as if by magic. While the notorious “Amish Fireplace” is indeed crafted in part by the Amish (the wooden frame is built by Amish craftsmen), the actual heating unit is a product of the Chinese factory system.

Here at Brandenberry Amish Furniture, we offer high-quality Amish fireplace heating units without the hype. Boasting a 1,400 watt (4,600 BTU) heating system with a fire F/X insert, and a wide selection of deluxe, hand-carved frames, our fireplaces must be seen to be believed.

Solid Brown Maple construction marks the classic Regal Corner Fireplace.

The Regal Corner Fireplace, pictured here, boasts Brown Maple construction with a rich Espresso finish, as well as wood species and stain/paint/dye options.

Check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture to view a complete selection of our beautiful fireplaces~

A perfect accessory is the joy of the home. Whether a beautifully-crafted bread box that accents the kitchen or an elegantly-carved hall tree that graces the hall, home accessories have the ability to make a house feel like a home. Here are a few Amish-crafted home accessories that could find a place in your home:

• Cutting Board Set with Display – Featuring five multi-colored boards, this solid wood set features durability and style–a must have for any serious culinary artist~
• Acorn Bookcase with Corner Bookcases – Sturdy Oak construction, a beautiful Acorn carving and plenty of storage space meet in these traditional, beautiful bookcases~
• Woven Birdhouse Baskets – hand-woven and richly-colored, these beautiful birdhouses are the perfect gift for the family bird watcher or can be utilized as decorative storage baskets inside the home~

Check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture for a huge variety of home furnishings for the bedroom, kitchen, living room or office~

Amish furniture craftsmen have long prided themselves on offering timeless furniture styles. The big three designs (Shaker, Mission and Country) have changed little in the past century, but their beauty continues to inspire furniture-enthusiasts decade after decade. But while many craftsmen might rest on their laurels, Amish craftsmen are pushing the creative envelope with modern, cutting-edge furniture designs.

A minimal, modern design marks the beautiful Montreal Table.

The Montreal Table, pictured here, boasts a stunning, modern design. Featuring flush storage drawers and an extendable top, this minimalist table possesses a distinctly modern style.

The Wilmington Table, by contrast, boasts a classic design (pictured below). An impressively-crafted, sturdy pedestal marks this traditional table.

A traditional, carved base accents the classic Wilmington Table.

So now we’d love to hear your opinion: Which furniture style do YOU prefer? Classic or modern?

Be sure to check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture to browse a complete selection of both classic and modern furniture designs. Or come visit us in Shipshewana, Indiana and see our Amish furniture first-hand.

Amish furniture has garnered a reputation for great quality and rightfully so. The hardworking Amish, noted for their integrity and discipline, approach the furniture craft with the same ethic as they do life. Detailed craftsmanship and practicality can be found in each Amish-crafted piece.

Amish made furniture can be found primarily in or around Amish communities such as Shipshewana, Indiana. Located in Northern Indiana, Shipshewana is home to a small population of Amish whose history there stretches back two centuries. Many of these furniture craftsmen have learned the trade from previous generations and offer their pieces to local visitors.

Amish made furniture generally features recognizable styles such as the Shaker, Mission, Traditional and Rustic designs. These classically Amish designs feature a timeless beauty that accents any home.

To learn more about Amish Made Furniture and its diversity of styles and rich history, check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture~