Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Three Keys to Choosing Children’s Furniture

Monday, August 8th, 2011

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~

Today’s Furnishing, Tomorrow’s Treasure: Rustic Furniture

Friday, August 5th, 2011

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?

Hickory Diner Chair with Cane Seat Back

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~

Home in the Heartland: Amish Country Furniture

Monday, August 1st, 2011

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.

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.

Something to Sleep On: Contemporary Bedroom Furniture

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Searching for home furnishings is a challenge: money, style, shipping and custom options all must be considered. But when searching for contemporary bedroom furniture, the search difficulty is compounded. Comfort and durability become key factors in shaping the decision to buy a furnishing.

Large Classic Heritage Bedroom Set

The Large Classic Heritage Bedroom Set features a timeless style.

While there are countless retailers to consider, consider solid wood furniture retailers for durability and custom options. And among solid wood furniture retailers, the Amish are the best in the game. The Large Classic Heritage Bedroom Set, pictured here, features the timeless “heritage” style, cathedral raised panels, solid oak construction, a beautifully-carved base and a huge variety of custom options.

Come visit us in Shipshewana, Indiana, and see why our Amish-crafted furniture offers comfort, quality and customization to make your home a great living space. Visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture to see more of our Amish furniture~

Celebrating an American Original: Cabin Furniture

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Rustic furniture has often been overshadowed by the classic Mission and Shaker styles or the sleek elegance of modern dining and bedroom furnishings. Yet what other style captures the enduring beauty of solid wood furniture than the rustic furniture style?

Hickory Farmer Dining Set

Beautiful hickory construction marks the Hickory Farmer Dining Set.

In previous posts we’ve examined the beauty of specific hickory cabin furnishings, and even looked at a very brief history of the steady growth of cabin furniture popularity.In today’s post, we turn to the beautifully-crafted Hickory Farmer Dining Set. Featuring natural hickory wood (including bark accents), sturdy wood slats and a wide selection of custom options (including size, table edge and stain selections), this one-of-a-kind Cabin style furnishing will beautify any home.

To see more cabin or rustic furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and view our wide variety of Amish furniture~

Cabin Furniture

The Beauty of Contemporary Dining Room Furniture

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Finding the perfect home furnishings can be a daunting task, and nowhere is that more evident than in the dining room. Contemporary dining room furniture must perfectly blend style and practicality. In the dining room, the elegance of the home is truly on display.

Artisan Dining Set

The beautiful Artisan Dining Set boasts a timeless style.

With this in mind, Amish craftsmen craft contemporary dining room furniture with the traditional woodworking skills of generations past and create pieces of timeless  beauty. The Artisan Dining Set, pictured here, boasts a sleek finish, sturdy wood craftsmanship, polished nickel hardware and plush upholstery, as well as a wide selection of custom options.

This dining set not only blends practical use with style, but also possesses the durability and beauty to become a cherished dining set for generations to come. To see more contemporary dining sets, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and check out our wide selection of Amish furniture~

The Advantages of Solid Wood Furniture

Monday, July 18th, 2011

The 20th century has made sturdy and affordable plastics readily available for the home, meaning that solid wood furniture can often be replaced by plastic furnishings. Yet for sheer quality, solid wood furniture still remains unbeaten.

Some Amish communities, such as Shipshewana in Northern Indiana, specialize in crafting wood furniture using solid wood. Each piece is meticulously crafted from start to finish by an expert craftsman, resulting in furnishings that are not only incredibly durable but completely unique.

The Brooklyn Collection Gentlemen’s Chest, pictured here, boasts dynamic storage space and sturdy wood craftsmanship. This solid wood furniture piece not only provides the space and style for today’s needs, but the timeless beauty to become a treasured heirloom for decades and generations to come.

Brooklyn Collection Gentlemen's Chest

Strength and style meet in the Brooklyn Collection Gentlemen's Chest.

To see more solid wood furniture pieces like this, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and check out our huge selection of Amish furniture~

Fun Upcoming Events Around Shipshewana

Friday, July 15th, 2011

We are in the heart of summer and things are cookin’ here in Shipshewana. The small Amish town expands this time of year to welcome intrepid furniture enthusiasts. Here are a few upcoming events to watch for courtesy of our friends at Trading Place America:

  • May 30-Oct. 1: the Quilt Garden Tour along the Amish Heritage Trail is in full swing! Come view 18 quilt gardens, 100,00 blooms and 18 super-sized murals throughout beautiful Northern Indiana~
  • Aug. 5: Habitat for Humanity Auction–located in the Shipshewana Antique Auction Building, featuring buggies, quilts, tools, new furniture,  sausage, baked goods and antiques~
  • Aug. 6: Shipshewana Antique Market features 200+ antique vendors from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.~

Make sure to stop by Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see our huge variety of hardwood Amish furniture!

The What of Wood: Hardwoods and Softwoods

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Have you ever gazed curiously at the tall trees in your backyard while standing on your polished hardwood floor and wondered how one becomes the other? Or have you pondered the terms “hardwood” and “softwood” and wondered which are local to you?

One surprising fact is that some “hardwood” trees, such as balsa, produce softer woods than “softwood” trees. In fact, “hardwood” and “softwood” are synonymous with “coniferous” (evergreens), whose needles are retained through all seasons, and “broad-leaved” trees (deciduous), who typically shed their leaves each year.

Redwood, a common softwood native to Europe and Russia, is often used in furniture craftsmanship due to its quick drying and medium stability and workability. Redwood is often used for plywood and decorative veneers, and even for use as telephone poles.

To view a selection of hardwood and softwood furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and view our wide variety of Amish furniture!

References: “The Encyclopedia of Wood: a tree-by-tree guide to the world’s most versatile resource” by Aidan Walker

Where Strength and Beauty Meet: Mission Office Furniture

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Since its creation in the early 20th century, Mission style furniture has enjoyed popularity in the world of Amish furniture that is nearly unparalleled. Its simplicity and strength, wood slats and Mission hardware, make the Mission style one-of-a-kind.

Take the classic Mission style and apply it to the elegance and practicality of office furniture, and what do you get? A perfect match–Mission office furniture. The Mission L-Desk, pictured here, features wood corbels, black Mission hardware, plenty of dynamic storage space and a huge variety of custom options. Plus, leaded glass doors and a gently curved base add a touch of elegance to this stunning desk.

Mission L-Desk

The classic Mission L-Desk boasts wood corbels and a sleek finish.

To see more Mission office furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see for yourself what’s so great about Amish-crafted furniture.