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.
As the alarm goes off and you rise and shine, your mind may review the day’s upcoming events: Drop the kids off at school, attend your morning meeting, and run to the bank on your lunch break. But before any of that can possibly take place, you’ll need to greet the day with a few moments set aside for you and your favorite cup of coffee. Where is that cozy place in your home where… Coffee Zones: Places to Enjoy your Cappuccino
“A place for everything and everything in its place” was the slogan that propelled the roll-top desk to popularity during the 19th century. A desk full of small drawers, hideaways, and perfectly sized compartments with a top that could be closed to conceal any clutter was a delight for many and became a popular choice for small to medium-sized offices. But first, it began with a king. The History of the Roll-Top Desk At the… History of the Roll-Top Desk
Siblings may argue, but at the end of the day they can take comfort in knowing they have a best friend who is always close by. Even closer if they are sharing a room. A shared bedroom isn’t something to fear. Siblings who share a room learn how to problem solve, share and resolve conflict. To make a shared space work, we’ve listed all of the furniture essentials, as well as how to make the… Making Room to Grow: Furniture for a Shared Bedroom
Our families and loved ones come in all shapes and sizes, and our furniture is designed to provide you with styles you love and support you need. Look for the following elements when selecting dining chairs to ensure longer-lasting durability, especially for big and tall shoppers: Amish Dining Chairs with Extra Room With the average dining chair being 16-20 inches wide and 16-18 inches deep, we’ve compiled a list of styles with a little extra… Big and Tall Dining Chair Buying Guide
Got guests? If you’ve got friends and family planning to stay with you for the holidays, we’ve got the goods on creating a warm, inviting guest space with solid wood Amish furniture. It’s quite possible that as you start thinking about your holiday menu, the perfect gift for that family member who has everything, and the holiday recitals you need to attend for the kids, Great Aunt Ida will plan on coming to visit for… Holiday Guests: How to Create an Inviting Guest Space
Greeting us upon arrival, comforting us after a long day, and making us smile when we need it the most, our animal friends aren’t just pets — they are family. Whether they have a wagging tail, whiskers, or a wiggly nose, they hold a special place in our households. At DutchCrafters, they also hold a special place in our office. Our pets have selected their favorite furniture with their own special flair. We feature them… Our Pets’ Favorite Furniture
A healthy home environment benefits those most important to you — your family. How does supporting the environment factor into your furniture selections? You might be pleasantly surprised to find out some of the eco-friendly aspects of handcrafted Amish furniture that can serve you inside your home. Nurture Your Natural Side When it comes to furniture, a natural, pure product is best. Removing materials like plastic and particle board from your home gives a little… 7 Eco-Friendly Indoor Items
Have you ever gone on your morning walk and returned with something you found outside? Something that was just too beautiful in its natural state to resist? Maybe you grabbed a pine cone, a stone, or the perfect fall leaf. Sometimes nature’s elements that appear in your path just have to come inside. Let us introduce you to the beauty of live edge wood. Live Edge Defined The live edge is the natural edge of the… Beneath the Bark: The Beauty of Live Edge Wood
Finding furniture that suits your style should be adventurous and fun. Whether you’re looking for delicate curves with vintage warmth, a simple form with a focus on function, or a blending of styles with some room to bend the rules, there are Amish-made pieces that will fit your needs. Don’t know exactly what your style is? Or, know what you like but aren’t sure the name of the style? We’re here to help! We’ve taken… 10 Design Styles Defined
Heading back to school reunites your children with friends they’ve missed over the summer and introduces some new ones to their social scene. Soon an afternoon playdate or study session for two turns into a weekend sleepover for several. Before you know it, you’ve got a full blown slumber party on your hands. Follow our fun timeline for some activities and functional Amish furniture that will help entertain your guests. 2 p.m. – Bring on the… Functional Furniture for Slumber Parties
Thomas Lee had the chair pulled right out from under him, so to speak. The summer of 1903 found Lee vacationing with family at his summer home in Westport, NY. Located on Lake Champlain with the stunning views of the Adirondack mountains to entertain him, Lee encountered a problem. His search for comfortable outdoor furniture produced nothing suitable. Determined to solve this problem and enjoy all that the mountain views had to offer, Lee got… From Mountains to Many Homes: The History of the Adirondack Chair
It’s time for new shoes and lunch boxes once again. As lazy summer days come to an end, we’re energized with new ideas to get you organized and ready for the first day of school. From pre-school to college, solid wood Amish furniture can make the morning routine a little easier, the homework time more interesting, and the organization helpful for all ages. Greeting the Day Children thrive on routine. Set up a spot for… 8 Ways to Get Organized for Back to School
Even though jelly is most often kept in the refrigerator these days, the jelly cabinet remains a favorite furnishing. One look at an Amish jelly cabinet and the reasons are clear. It’s both beautiful and useful for storage, even without the jelly. The First Jelly Cabinets The creation of the jelly cabinet grew out of need. During the 19th century, as pioneers perfected the practice of stewing fruit to create jams and preserves, they produced large… Modern Ways to Use a Jelly Cabinet
Outdoor wooden furniture is durable, affordable, and can transform an outdoor space into a fun gathering spot for many different activities with family and friends, or a place to relax when when you need some “me-time.” From the porch to the yard, to your pool deck and patio, we’re taking a look at ways to enjoy your outdoor wooden furniture on nice, long, sunny days. On the Porch The porch provides a gathering place for… Six Ways to Enjoy your Outdoor Wooden Furniture this Summer
A special relationship exists between a boy and his dog, a teen and his first car, and of course, Dad and his favorite chair. The chair he jumps up from to cheer on his favorite team, the seat where he enjoys a fresh cigar after a long work day, and the only place just right for his Sunday afternoon nap is his sanctuary. What links Dad to that one special chair? The Construction Marcel Breuer… Dad’s Favorite Chair
