Beth Rice is a content writer for DutchCrafters Amish Furniture. She is the primary author of Timber to Table blog posts and has spent the last several years researching and providing knowledge on wood types, furniture styles, and design trends. As a busy mother of two, Beth understands the value of furniture in helping create a welcoming home for family and friends, and often writes on the ways our furniture can help support that. Beth is a published author with a gift for identifying the special moments in everyday life. Most recently, she had a short story included in Chicken Soup for the Soul's "My Amazing Mom" edition. Since 2012, the DutchCrafters Timber to Table blog has been providing customers and other readers with furniture and interior design tips, information about the Amish, and woodworkers’ stories.
There’s something quite cozy about sleigh beds. Displaying curvy headboards and footboards with gorgeous scrolling, early sleigh bed styles were quite extravagant. They have developed simpler surfaces and structure over time. This showcase of Amish beds displays the styles and details available in modern sleigh beds. The Amish Ornament Wood Frame Sleigh Bed Sleigh Bed Style Simply put, sleigh beds resemble the curves of an old-fashioned sleigh. The headboard and footboard scroll and flow with… Sleigh Beds Ring, Are You Listening?
Table aprons. What are they? What is their purpose? How do they help the kitchen or dining room table do its job? Table aprons, (also called table skirts or skirting) are wood extensions that sit right below the surface of the table. Picture your table top and the part that hangs down from it. This is the table’s “apron” or “skirt.” Aprons can range from 1 ½” to 3”. Aprons can display different carvings that… Who Wears the Apron in Your Kitchen?
What Is a Lazy Susan? A Lazy Susan is a rotating tray that’s used on a table or counter to share food. It can be made of wood, glass or plastic, and it is normally round. American Made Tabletop Lazy Susan The Invention of the Lazy Susan The Lazy Susan descends from the dumbwaiter and the original inventor is hard to determine. The path to the creation of the Lazy Susan is unclear, and its… History of the Lazy Susan
Pumpkin time has come a calling. When the first cool wisps of fall enter the picture, it’s easy to shift the mind to thoughts of the season and with that come pumpkins everywhere. Pumpkin Facts from History.com Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, and they are fruits. Pumpkins are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. Pumpkins are a good source of Vitamins A and B, potassium, protein and iron.… Homemade Amish Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe
What is Varnish and What Does It Do? Varnish is a transparent hard coating that provides protection for solid wood furniture. It is applied over the stain on wood furniture. As the varnish protects the wood from moisture, sunlight and dirt, it allows the wood’s natural colors and grain patterns to be seen and appreciated and creates the most natural appearance. Varnish is always recommended for inside furniture for an added layer of protection and… The Look of Low Sheen Varnish
Right up there with what size bed and which washing machine is another major home furniture decision: What color should the living room sofa be? 3 Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing A Sofa Color You’ll be looking at it every day for years. Your family and friends will see it and use it too. Consider the style of your home and your color scheme. If you’re starting with an empty room, it’s easier… How to Choose a Sofa Color
The Birth of French Country Furniture During the 1600s, King Louis the XIV of France was on a mission. He was determined that France would become a style leader revered by all and embarked on renovating the Palace of Versailles. Only the best were employed to create, design and build for what was to be the most luxurious palace ever seen. As time went by, the masses fell in love with the lavish stylings of… The History of French Country Furniture
What is Lagom? Lagom is about living in moderation. Lagom is when work, stress and happiness are all in balance and things don’t have to be perfect. Lagom is about being satisfied with what you have, making the most of what you have, and finding the middle road between too much and too little and following it. In her book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living, author Linnea Dunne translates Lagom to mean “not… Finding Balance with Lagom
It’s a question our Furniture Specialists are often asked. What do DutchCrafters chair seats really feel like? If there’s one thing we wish we could do as the #1 online Amish furniture company offering the most high-end solid wood products available, it would be this: We wish we could connect you with the feel of our furniture. The photos and the features on our website tell part of the story, but how does our furniture… What Do DutchCrafters Chair Seats Really Feel Like?
We recently hosted a Facebook Live Q and A session in the DutchCrafters showroom with Eugene Stutzman, Debra Gingerich and Jake Smucker, the subject, producer and director of the documentary short film, Eugene Alexander: The Fashion of Eugene Stutzman. *Answers have been edited for clarity. BETH: Will each of you start by telling us a little bit about your part in this film? We’ll start with Debra. DEBRA: I am the Director of Marketing at… DutchCrafters Facebook Live Event with Eugene Stutzman
While the Windsor chair will always be associated with colonial times and country style furniture, the truth is, Windsor chairs have the “it factor.” A chair that is still beloved and sought after since 1710 has got something special going on, which brings us to the third and final part of our Windsor Chair series where we explore the question, What contributes to the undying appeal of the Windsor chair? THEY’RE LIGHTWEIGHT When they were… The Windsor Chair Series Part III: The Undying Appeal
When you only want the top part of the muffin, the crust of the pizza or the egg white from the egg, you’re just selecting the part you want the most, right? So when it comes to beds, there shouldn’t be any reason why you can’t have just the headboard only, right? That’s right! Here are the top 5 reasons to go for the headboard-only look for your bedroom with some solid wood examples from our… Top 5 Reasons To Buy a Headboard Only
We recently hosted a Facebook Live Q and A session about the Amish. All staff gathered in the DutchCrafters showroom for the event. CEO Jim Miller fielded questions from staff and viewers. *Answers have been edited for clarity. Jim Miller grew up in a Mennonite community and lived near Amish people for many years. For the last 15 years, he’s been leading DutchCrafters in connecting customers with beautiful Amish made furniture, and he’s developed relationships… Amish Q & A with DutchCrafters CEO Jim Miller
What Are Breadboard Ends? A breadboard end is a piece of wood that’s joined to the end of a larger panel. Breadboard ends are the strips that are often found on the ends of some Amish tables. They run perpendicular to the larger panel and contribute to defining the form of the table panel. The breadboard runs cross-grain to the panel it is added to. The Barstow Trestle Table with Plank Top and Breadboard Ends… What’s Up With Breadboard Ends?
The features of a Windsor chair contribute to its comfort, strength and style. We’re taking an up-close look at the features that make Windsor chairs look, feel and perform the way they do. What’s the basic breakdown of the Windsor form? A popular fit for country style furniture, the Windsor chair consists of spindles attached to a solid wood seat. Windsor chairs are light, durable and contoured to fit the human body. The Amish Wilton… The Windsor Chair Series Part II: Features
