Archive for January, 2010

Buying Amish Bedroom Furniture

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

When an individual or couple makes the decision to buy bedroom furniture many questions and factors can influence that purchase.  Bedroom furniture is very personal and unique to the individual(s) involved.  Amish Bedroom Furniture may be an option for many people that wish to personalize their bedroom.  Consider some of the following key questions when going through this very private process:

  1. Have you measured the space in your room?  Does it allow for just a bed or an entire bedroom set?
  2. Is one nightstand sufficient or will you need a nightstand on either side of your bed?
  3. Will a dressing table, mirror and chair be required?
  4. Does an armoire with a clothes hanger rod, shelves or a entertainment compartment fit your needs?
  5. Will a Queen size bed be enough bed space or do you require a Full size, King size or California King size bed?
  6. Do you need a chest or dresser with lots of storage space with drawers (i.e. extra tall, deep dresser) or does a standard height and depth suffice?
  7. Will a dresser with a mirror be needed or have you considered a cheval mirror?
  8. Will you need a new mattress for your bedroom set?
  9. What color would you like your bedroom furniture to be?
  10. What is your personal style-simple and clean or ornate?
  11. Do you have a wood preference?
  12. What is your budget?

The answers to these questions will have a major impact on the bedroom set that you ultimately pick for your home.  Consider answering these questions as well as other items that are specific to your situation before you visit any furniture stores.  Gain addtional insights by visiting furniture websites and furniture stores after you have answered these questions about your bedroom.  Go back through your answers so that you can alter the answers as required based on your findings from your furniture store and furniture website visits.  Finally, make that personal decision - which bedroom set is right for your bedroom.

Shaker Furniture

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

“Put your hands to work and your heart to God”

Shaker Furniture traces its origins back to the time of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). A sect of the Quakers, the “Shakers” escaped the religious turmoil of their native England and settled in close-knit, self-sufficient communities along the Eastern seaboard.

A Shaker style dining set

A Shaker style dining set

Early Shaker furniture construction began as a necessity to accommodate large worship gatherings. The Shaker ethics of simplicity, practicality and integrity informed the construction process: pine wood was commonly used for its light weight and affordability, innovative joinery increased durability, and curved wood slats provided comfort.

Shaker furniture boasts a one-of-a-kind beauty. Elegant finials, tapered spindles and curved profiles lend an elegance to each handcrafted piece. Today, Shaker furniture remains in high demand among collectors and casual shoppers.

Amish Furniture – A Brief History

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

The roots of Amish Furniture stretch deep into American history, even pre-dating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The story begins at the turn of the 18th century with Jakob Amman, a Swiss Christian who became frustrated with his Mennonite church over church disciplinary procedures.  He unwittingly created a faction within the Swiss Mennonite church and Amman’s like-minded counterparts would be called “Amish.”

Soon, waves of Amish migrants would leave Switzerland to form communities in Pennsylvania and parts of the Mid-West. The Amish ethics of integrity, self-sufficiency and hard work would infuse their daily work, including the crafting of furniture.The popularity of American “folk art” during the early 20th century would see Amish-crafted furniture become highly prized by folks from all over the United States.

What is it that makes Amish furniture so special? Careful, detailed craftsmanship, high quality wood selection and custom construction just to name a few.

Visit one of the largest Amish communities in the United States in Shipshewana, located in Northern Indiana, and experience the Amish way of life for yourself.

Flat Screen Television Cabinet Choices

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

When purchasing a custom flat screen television cabinet consider your space and layout needs for your home entertainment room (see January 11th post).  Several other decisions will be required on your part as you make your tv cabinet purchase.  First, decide on the wood species.  Primary choices for wood species include regular cut oak, quarter sawn oak, maple, brown maple, cherry, walnut, hickory, rustic hickory, rustic cherry, elm and pine wood.  The wood species choice will impact the final color of your tv cabinet although you have unlimited stain color choices when buying a custom tv cabinet.  One stain may produce one color and look on oak wood while the same stain color will make the tv cabinet look quite different on a cabinet built with quarter sawn oak wood.  Next, decide whether you need an “open” tv cabinet concept or whether you want glass, speaker cloth, smoked glass, glass with mullions or wood doors.  Finally, you may choose the hardware to use on your flat screen television cabinet.

Family Room Furniture

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

The 1930’s and 1940’s saw more Americans desiring furniture that was both functional and durable, characteristics that reflected the modern values of efficiency and versatility. Sectional couches and occasional tables grew in popularity.

The rise of the post-war middle class and a “baby-boom” saw an increase in multi-use furniture. Recliners became fixtures in the home as men sought a practical, affordable means of relaxation, and the the home television set necessitated occasional furniture that would allow for the entire family to gather for their favorite shows.

Rocker Recliner

Mission style Rocker/Recliner

All of this invariably led to the creation and development of Family Room Furniture.

Flat Screen TV Cabinet Buying Tips

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Purchasing a flat screen TV can be an overwhelming task to some.  Comments in this post relate to only one part of what can be a daunting process – things to consider when purchasing a flat screen TV cabinet.  First, a flat screen TV cabinet can mean different things to different people.  For example, a flat screen TV cabinet can mean any of the following:

  1. A cabinet in the corner of  a room to house all of the components for a flat panel TV mounted above your fireplace or on a wall
  2. A cabinet that sits directly underneath a wall mounted flat screen TV – again to house all of the components
  3. A TV stand where you place the tv on the cabinet top and the cable box, blu-ray player or dvd player and other components onto shelves in the cabinet below.
  4. A cabinet with a high back extending above the cabinet top where one can mount a flat screen TV and then house the components in the cabinet below.

Below is a list of factors for you to consider before you purchase your flat screen TV cabinet or stand:

  1. First, decide which purpose your cabinet will serve.
  2. Next, determine the space you need for the components that you currently own or will own in the future.  Consider the size of your components, the space required by the wires used to connect your components to each other and/or to your TV and whether any components will generate excessive heat.
  3. Decide whether you need an “open” shelf concept in the front or whether you will use speaker cloth doors or glass doors to “hide” your components.  How you plan to use your remote with your components and your flat screen TV may impact your need.  Whether you have young children or pets may also impact this decision.
  4. Determine the available space in your entertainment or TV room.  Measure the wall and floor space available (height, depth and width).  Remember to measure the overall TV size and the distance from the TV to your seating as both will have a direct impact on the actual cabinet size.
  5. Calculate the number of cord holes needed on the back of the TV cabinet by reviewing your ideal component setup and the placement of your wires.  You may consider an “open back” concept to make access to your components much easier.
  6. Determine whether the flat screen TV cabinet will also need to store any discs (Blu-ray, dvd, cd) or tapes (vhs) or other media.

Shipshewana Amish Furniture Store Closed January 6th

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Brandenberry Furniture, a Shipshewana Amish Furniture store specializing in customcrafted wood furniture in the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country will be closed January 6th as owners LeRoy and Ida Weaver celebrate “Old Christmas”.  Epiphany or Old Christmas, as it is referred to by the Amish, is a day to pause and remember the birth of the baby Jesus on the twelfth day of Christmas.

In the northern Indiana Amish community where LeRoy and Ida grew up and still reside the traditions and celebrations vary slightly but the holiday is a day of rest (no work or business is completed on this day).  Old Christmas starts with a period of fasting in the morning.  Later in the afternoon many Amish families will get together to celebrate their family Christmas with a large amount of food, candy and games.

Epiphany is the day the Wise Men visited the baby Jesus in a manger.  Learn more about the history of Epiphany and various traditions and celebrations here.