Shaker furniture enjoys a long-standing tradition as one of the definitive styles of solid wood furniture. Along with Mission furniture, Shaker furniture boasts a distinct style and a rich history.

In a previous post, we discussed the origins of Shaker furniture, including the cultural context and gradual development and popularity growth of the Shaker style. Here, we will simply examine a few of the classic Shaker styles:

• 48 inch Shaker Jewelry Armoire – featuring tapered legs, round wood knob hardware and a light finish (all classic Shaker accents), this jewelry armoire boasts a timeless beauty
• Shaker Collection Pencil Post Bed – a simple, clean design marks this traditional Shaker bed, which boasts beautifully-crafted posts and a sleek finish
• Shaker Hill Hutch – tapered feet, touch lighting, inset hardware and wood paneling make this hutch a distinctly elegant Shaker piece

To see more Shaker furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and view our wide selection of Amish-crafted furnishings~

When searching for quality home furnishings, there are a few guiding characteristics that most people could agree should be part of any search:

• Durability – a furnishing should boast sturdy construction ensuring generations of use and enjoyment
• Beauty – every detail of a furnishing, including the style and design, quality of craftsmanship, and finish and hardware, should add to the overall beauty of the piece
• Practicality – the finest furnishings serve a purpose, and functionality, including storage space, customization and , all enhance the functionality and usability of a piece

But with these qualities in mind, the pressing question is “Where can I find furniture with these qualities?” Though there are many fine furniture retailers, the Amish boast a reputation that is top-notch. Amish made furniture has captivated furniture-enthusiasts for years and continues to support its well deserved reputation for quality.

To learn more about Amish made furniture or to browse a wide selection for yourself, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see why Amish furniture is so special~

Solid wood furniture boasts a long, rich history in America full of diverse designs, stunning styles and durable craftsmanship. As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, any furnishings 30-100 years old is generally considered “vintage”, while anything older is classified as “antique” and anything newer is simply “modern”.

Vintage furniture is not for the faint-hearted. Only true furniture-enthusiasts interested in learning the vast history of wood furniture and excited to search though countless furniture retailers will discover the joy of finding the perfect vintage furniture piece in the most unexpected place.

While most wood furniture retailers, especially Amish shops, will likely not stock true vintage furniture, these craftsmen can be valuable resources in discovering where to find vintage pieces and what styles or designs to look for.

To learn more about vintage furniture or to learn more about Amish furniture and solid wood craftsmen, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and view our wide variety of customizable furniture~

The history of early American furniture reveals a diverse and rich heritage that continues to influence the construction of solid wood furniture to this day. By examining the origins of the Shaker and Mission furniture styles, we’ll gain a better understanding of the continuing popularity of wood furniture and the future direction of furniture craftsmanship.

• The Shaker Style – Shaker furniture begins with the Shakers, a Christian religious group that settled along America’s Eastern seaboard after fleeing European persecution. Their simplicity and work ethic naturally infused their furnishings which they crafted for practical use in the home and religious gatherings.
• The Mission Style – Mission furniture was inspired by the beautiful adobe Spanish missions built by Spanish missionaries in the American Southwest. The unique designs of these missions influenced architects, artists and furniture craftsmen, but it was Gustav Stickley who first mass-produced and popularized mission furniture.

Come visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture in Shipshewana, Indiana and see first-hand how beautiful early American furniture is still crafted using traditional methods.

History bears witness to the appeal of solid wood furniture. The great cultures of antiquity, from the Chinese to the Greeks, used wood as a valuable resource in their furniture and utensils. But what makes solid wood furniture so special? Here are two reasons why solid wood has been the material of choice for fine furniture throughout history:

• Durability – wood possesses great durability and longevity. Oak and Cherry, two of the most common choices for furniture craftsmanship, boast resistance to heat, cold, moisture and force, providing the perfect material for a furnishing that will provide heavy use in the home.
• Beauty – wood boasts a natural beauty that is impossible to replicate with synthetic alternatives. The color, grain, density and scent of natural wood contribute to the unique beauty of each natural wood furnishing and ensure that each wood piece is truly one-of-a-kind.

Today, with the advent of study, cheap plastics, many have questioned the role of wood in the creation of home furnishings, but synthetic materials will continue to remain a less-favorable alternative to the beauty and durability of solid wood furniture. Check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture to view our large selection of solid wood furniture.

As one of the most distinctive styles in all of furniture, Shaker furniture enjoys great popularity and status as a trend-setter among modern furniture styles. Within the broader Shaker style there are various sub-styles such as the Shaker Hill, Classic Shaker, Superior Shaker, Brooklyn Shaker and even the hybrid Classic/Mission style. But with such a broad spectrum of design accents within the Shaker style, what features truly define the “Shaker style”? Here are a few trademarks:

• Simplicity – Shaker furniture is marked by a truly simple, functional design
• Gentle Curves – the flared back or curved legs of a dining chair add an elegant flair to the simple Shaker style
• Knob Hardware – typically painted black, knob hardware is one of the distinguishing traits of Shaker furniture
• Spindles/Slats – these features are generally less muscular (though no less sturdy) and more delicate than the Mission style

To learn more about Shaker furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see first-hand what makes the beautiful Shaker style so special~

For a new parent, nothing compares to the safety of your child. In a previous post, we discussed the guaranteed safety of Amish-crafted baby furniture and in today’s post we’ll examine the process of selecting the perfect furnishings for your little one’s room.

• Comfort is Key – providing a comfortable, safe environment is a priority. A crib or youth bed should provide ample space for growth, smooth construction (free of rough edges) and sturdy craftsmanship (sure to withstand the wear and tear of childhood).
• Say No to Chemicals – all children’s and baby furnishings should use organic, non-toxic stains, paints and dyes. If you’re unsure about the safety of a product, consult the retailer or builder if possible.
• Customization - working with furniture craftsmen, notable the Amish, enables a hands-on approach to the selection process that chain-retailers cannot provide. Look into a local Amish furniture retailer to learn about custom options such as wood species, stain/paint/dye, hardware, sizing, and drawers/doors alterations.

To learn more about Amish Children’s Furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and view our complete selection~

Since 1979, Antiques Roadshow has thrilled television audiences with its unlikely subject: antiques. There is a special excitement in knowing that a family heirloom from previous generations could hold great historical and monetary value. For many lovers of solid wood furniture, this instinct for history and antiquity is strong. Who knows whether the hand-crafted furnishing of yesterday may become the treasured heirloom of tomorrow?

The Hickory Diner Chair with Cane Seat Back features natural bark accents.

For this reason, wood craftsmen (notably the Amish) take their craft seriously. In the case of rustic furniture (view the Hickory Diner Chair with Cane Seat and Back), natural bark accents ensure that each piece is entirely one-of-a-kind. Truly, today’s home furnishing could become tomorrow’s treasure.

To learn more about Amish furniture, view our previous post in which we looked at the history of rustic furniture in America. Also visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture to see more rustic furniture and our entire selection of Amish furniture~

Noted for its simplicity and elegance, Amish country furniture holds a distinctive place in the world of Amish furniture along with the Shaker and Mission styles as a classic design. In previous posts, we’ve explored country furniture’s connection to cottage and wicker furniture styles, so in today’s post we’ll examine the classically-designed Biscuit Safe Hutch.

A rich finish marks the classic Biscuit Safe Hutch.

The Biscuit Safe Hutch boasts a sand-thru paint finish with 20-coat varnishing and antique distressing, Eastern White Pine wood construction, wood knob hardware, a beautiful wood slat back and a variety of custom options.

The traditional style and wood paneling make Amish country furniture a notable style, one that has remained popular for decades. To view a wide variety of country furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture, or visit us in Shipshewana, Indiana, and see first-hand why Amish-crafted country furniture is a style for the ages.