Amish Valentine Hardwood Modern Bookcase

Handcrafted in: Millersburg, Ohio
Items in this collection: Beds, nightstands, dressers, chests, dining chairs, dining benches, dining tables, sideboards, buffets, hutches
Furniture styles in this collection: Contemporary, French country, rustic, Shaker, traditional, transitional
Wood choices in this collection: Cherry, maple, oak, quarter sawn white oak, rustic cherry, walnut

Family owned and operated, the Canal Dover Collection was started in 1989 by a father and son team.

Having grown considerably since its inception, a team of talented craftsmen use their fine skills combined with modern machinery to craft the finest wood furniture for Canal Dover. Stains are wiped by hand and taken into a state-of-the-art finishing booth for the highest quality finish.

The goal for woodworkers who craft this collection is to offer well-made furniture that’s built with excellence. They care about the details, like using the best catalyzed conversion varnish to protect your new wood furniture. They offer a variety of wood species and finish colors all sculpted, manipulated and finished with expertise. They build one piece at a time versus mass production in an assembly line. There are Amish and Mennonite craftsmen on their team, skilled artisans who have passed down an authentic work ethic through the generations.

Canal Dover has seen continued growth over the years, including a 12,000 sq. ft. addition to their shop in 1999 and 32,000 sq ft addition in 2005.

Wood Choices

This large collection of wood furniture includes stunning beds and bedroom storage pieces, as well as everything you need for dining room or kitchen, offering a variety of dining chairs, tables and storage pieces.

There are smooth shades of brown maple used, as well as prized cherry wood with its even grain and warm reddish-brown color. Cherry wood brings its own character, with some mineral streaks or sapwood present, and it darkens with exposure to light to display a lovely reddish-brown patina.

Strong rich oak is among the wood types found here, the most popular among wood types used for furniture. Oak displays a strong wood grain pattern, offering even more to look at in addition to the fine form of the furniture.

Quarter sawn white oak is also available. This is produced when the oak log is turned and cut in a unique way that causes distinct patterns to emerge, including lines, flakes and unique figures in the wood.

High Performance Wood Furniture

Many look to wood furniture for the durability and beauty it offers, but also for the performance. Canal Dover designs are high performers, with Amish craftsmanship adding to the function.

These are features you’ll find in pieces from this collection that make your furniture work harder and better thanks to their detailed craftsmanship.

Dovetailed Bed Rail Slats: Slats are made of solid wood and dovetailed, which means they create the strongest joints possible to support your bed.

Dovetailed Drawers: It’s the same idea for the drawers of dressers and chests. Being dovetailed means they will support more weight with ease, and they won’t come apart after a few years of use.

Undermount Soft Close Drawer Slides: These drawer slides are a luxury to use. They create a smooth gliding motion for each drawer and practically close themselves.

Catalyzed Conversion Varnish: This varnish is the best, providing resistance to water and scratches. It contributes to a tough, highly durable finish so you can enjoy your furniture more and worry about it less.

Mortise and Tenon Joinery: These are the strongest joints used in wood furniture. They won’t come loose; instead they keep providing support.

You can rely on wood furniture from the Canal Dover Furniture Collection, providing a luxurious look that’s backed by all the elements of a quality build.

Choosing Dining Chairs

Keep in mind that your table type will affect how your dining chairs will fit. Pedestal tables and trestle tables will allow more room than leg tables since chairs have to fit between the table legs.

• The average dining chair is 16”- 20” wide. Measure dining chairs at their widest point, and add 6” to ensure there is enough room between chairs for people to move comfortably. Depending on the style of the chair, the widest point may be on the seat or chair back.
• Try to allow for 12 inches between the chair seat height and the table top, no matter the table height, to ensure everyone has enough room to sit comfortably.
• Leave seven inches between the chair arm height and the table apron (bottom edge of the table).

Chair Heights

Chairs can be built in three heights: Standard, counter, and bar or gathering height.

• Standard height chairs are 18”- 23” tall and are available in a wide variety of designs.

• Less formal than standard chairs, counter height chairs are 24” – 26” tall. Their added height creates the illusion of taking up less space.

The Livingston Contemporary Bar Stool is available in counter or bar height.

• Bar/gathering height chairs are 28”- 30” tall. They are ultra-cool and casual and fit well in smaller spaces.

The Amish Harris Bar Stool can be built in counter or bar height.

Side and Arm Chairs

Arms add about 6” to the overall width of a dining chair. If space is limited, consider using armless dining chairs, or only use arm chairs at the head and foot of the table.

• Side chairs take up less space visually and physically.
• Arm chairs are often used at the head and foot of the table. They offer added comfort with a place to rest the arms.

With the help our sizing guide, find the right solid wood dining set that will be the perfect fit for dinner and special occasions.