In the world of Amish furniture, when one considers “contemporary furniture”, “Amish furniture” is not usually the next thought to come to mind. The hand-crafted, traditional woodworking ideal of the Amish is often called “old world” or “traditional” and considered a far throw from “modern” or “contemporary”. Yet we will briefly examine a few “contemporary” Amish furniture styles that may change our perspectives of Amish-crafted furniture.

• The Venice Bedroom Set features a rich wood stain, wood panels and a sleek design.
• The BonBelle Collection Bedroom Set boasts dentil molding, graceful wood paneling and an elegant Cherry wood stain.
• The Lexington Bedroom Set (pictured below right) features a dark Espresso finish off-set by brushed nickel hardware and foot-caps.
  

  A rich espresso finish and sleek design mark the Lexington Bedroom Set.

To see more contemporary bedroom furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and check out our huge selection of fine furniture.

Throughout the 20^th century, the beautiful Elm tree could be seen lining most American and Canadian residential neighborhoods. Its high canopied crown provided great shade and its quick growth and longevity made it the ideal accent.

Yet its history stretches back to ancient Europe, where its leaves and branches were used as cattle feed, and even as human food in times of great scarcity. The ancient Romans used Elm trees to sustain grapevines—as a sort of make-shift grape arbor—and Native Americans utilized this durable and water-resistant wood to fashion canoes, rope, utensils and roofing.

The American Elm’s graceful form has been under attack during the 20^th century, in the form of a fungal infection known as Dutch elm disease (DED).  While this disease ravaged the Elm population, it has been held back in recent years, resulting in a renewed appreciation and use of the American Elm in furniture craftsmanship and industrial supply.

To see authentic, hand-crafted American Elm furniture, check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see for yourself what makes this beautiful wood one-of-a-kind.

References:

http://www.heidlerhardwoodlumber.com/SpecieInfo.htm

http://www.ahec.org/hardwoods/guide/elm.html

http://www.pikelumber.com/brand_details.php?bid=17

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_ded/ht_ded.htm

http://www.elmcare.com/about_elms/elms_and_humans.htm

Suburban landscapers could tell you that knowing the properties of each type of grass/tree/flower is as important as recognizing its beauty. For this reason, the American Elm tree, noted for its graceful form, long life, fast growth and tolerance of compacted soils, could be found lining suburban streets throughout the United States. Nightmare on Elm Street, the famed 1984 horror film, found part of its terror in the fact that nearly every residential neighborhood in America boasted an “Elm Street”!

Because of its interlocking grain, resistance to splitting and water decay, American Elm wood has been used in chair seats, coffins, wheels, and in medieval Europe, water pipes! Most popular, however, may be its use in furniture and cabinet craftsmanship. While its availability has been strained in the 20^th century due to Dutch elm disease (DED), this has only heightened the appreciation of American Elm and its use in the home.

To see a variety of real American Elm Furniture, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture or visit our store location in Shipshewana, Indiana and see first-hand what makes American Elm so special!

References:

http://www.heidlerhardwoodlumber.com/SpecieInfo.htm

http://www.ahec.org/hardwoods/guide/elm.html

http://www.pikelumber.com/brand_details.php?bid=17

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_ded/ht_ded.htm

http://www.outdoorwoodburningstove.com/book/export/html/4

Featuring a rich, sleek style, the Rosemont Collection blends the best of traditional and modern designs.

The beautiful Rosemont Chest boasts a uniquely elegant style.

The Rosemont Chest, pictured here, features solid Cherry wood craftsmanship, six full-extension drawers with solid knob hardware, polished bun feet, raised side paneling and a Rich Tobacco stain. Plus, wood species, hardware and stain options allow you to customize the look of this chest to your exact specifications.

Similarly, the Rosemont Three Drawer Nightstand features a deep, sleek finish and an elegant design, yet this unique piece features an under-mount LED nightlight with a touch switch and a sliding-top containing an electrical power strip!

The unique LED night-light makes the Rosemont Three Drawer Nightstand a one-of-a-kind piece.

To see more finely-crafted furnishings, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and view our entire selection of customizable Amish furniture~

Boasting 18 quilt-patterned gardens, 18 super-sized murals and over 100,000 stunning blooms at 12 locations, the 2011 Quilt Garden Tour is sure to be a popular event for flower-enthusiasts and lovers of beautiful Northern Indiana!

Following the Amish Heritage Trail throughout the rustic back-roads of Amish country, the Quilt Garden Tour allows visitors the opportunity to view creative gardening at its best!

Check out the Quilt Garden Tour information page to learn more and see some of the exclusive designs features in this years event.

Be sure to stop by Brandenberry Amish Furniture along the way and view our selection of custom furniture! We’d love to say hello!

Striking, elegant, timeless…these are just a few words that describe the beautiful French Country Dining Set. Boasting a rich, deep finish, meticulous Amish-craftsmanship and a classic French Country style, the French Country Dining  Room Set has the versatility to fit into any home and transform the atmosphere.

Strength and elegance unite in the French Country Dining Room Set.

This set features a rectangular table with 2 ½” wide table skirting and a half-round edge, two hutches with mirrored backs, full-extension dovetailed drawers, knife hinges, tube lights and glass shelves, an elegant server and a variety of chairs.

In addition, this collection features custom options including stain/paint/dye choices, wood species choice and hardware selections.  If you’re looking for more dining sets, individual dining pieces, or any other Amish-crafted pieces, check out Brandenberry Amish Furniture for a large selection of home furnishings.

The tension between classic and modern, traditional and progressive is a fine line, and the world of fine furniture design is not immune to this creative dynamic. It is not often that a wood furnishing manages to blend the old with new so effectively that a sense of timeless beauty emerges, but certain designs have done just that. Take for example the Shaker and Mission styles, which possess an eye-catching form that has captivated people for decades.

The classic Sante Fe Mission Dining Table blends classic and modern designs.

The Sante Fe Mission Dining Table, pictured here, boasts an original take on the classic Mission style. Featuring Quarter Sawn Oak construction, one inch skirting, a Mission edge, sturdy wood slats, carved feet, double equalizer slides and leaf self-storage, the Sante Fe Mission Dining Table will remain a cherished piece for generations to come.

This dynamic also come with a variety of custom options, including wood species, stain/paint/dye, size, leaf storage and edge choice. To see more of our selection of dining tables, visit Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see why Amish-crafted furniture is timeless in its appeal.

The Mission style has endured as one of furniture’s most classic styles, managing to retain its original design while branching out into a variety of sub-styles that range from simple to ornate, classic to contemporary.

The Mondovi Bedroom Set, pictured here, boasts the Mission style with a few modern twists. Shown in unique Grey Elm, striking pewter hardware, full-extension drawers with 5/8 inch drawer sides, a roundover edge, one inch thick solid wood top and curved top drawers (as well as a huge variety of custom options including stain/paint/dye choices), the Mondovi Bedroom Set blends the best of classic and modern Mission.

The Mondovi Bedroom Set boasts a modern Mission style.

The Royal Mission, Classic Mission and Brooklyn Mission are just a few other Mission styles that show the true diversity of Mission furniture, but if you’d like to see more Mission or furniture of all other styles, stop by Brandenberry Amish Furniture and check out our huge selection of Amish-crafted furniture.

The residents of Shipshewana, Indiana are working hard to create an inviting, beautiful environment for anticipated summer visitors.

• The street department will be busy cleaning and painting the streets before Mayfest.  The Town is working with the Focus group on the Town Center.
• As part of a beautifying effort, residents planted 119 trees along the Pumpkinvine Trail section leading to Shipshewana.
• Gas America has appealed their denial of an alcohol permit after local Shipshewana residents voiced their decision to remain a “dry” town. Gas America has since been denied the appeal.

Come in to Brandenberry Amish Furniture and see our wide variety of Amish furniture and say hello!

SHIPSHEWANA ANTIQUE MARKET

Antique Market, Saturday, June 4, 2011, 7am-4pm:

Over 100 vendors are setting up shop under the big top, among the grassy areas, and throughout the winding sidewalks of the antique gallery. They each offer a vast selection of quality antiques including primitives, refinished furniture, toys, pottery and glass and much more. Be sure to enjoy the outdoor and indoor shopping galleries and the delicious food available throughout. Remember, admission is free, so if you love antiques, this is definitely something you won’t want to miss!

Next Antique Market: August 6, 2011

Location: 368 S Van Buren St – Shipshewana, IN 46565

Vendor Info: 260-768-7090

SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET
Come see hundreds of vendors selling everything from fresh fruit to handcrafted furniture every Tuesday and Wednesday of each week from the first of May through the end of October. Currently, there is a huge selection of flowers and plants to kick-start your garden, as well as fresh produce! Also, don’t forget about the extended dates over Memorial Day!  We’ll be open Monday, May 30 through Wednesday, June 1, 8am-5pm.

Next Extended Market: May 30-June 1, 2011

Location: 345 S Van Buren St – Shipshewana, IN 46565

Questions? Call 260-768-4129

Also, be sure to stop by Brandenberry Amish Furniture and say hello!