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.
We take another close look at comparing wood types, and this time it’s cherry versus walnut wood for furniture. Two popular wood types that are known and loved for their rich colors and distinguished looks, cherry and walnut have characteristics that make each of them unique. Let’s look at what these woods bring in terms of colors, grain pattern, workability and style. Cherry vs. Walnut Some conversations might revolve around the stunning reds of cherry… Cherry vs. Walnut Wood for Furniture
The barrister bookcase was born out of necessity. Barristers, or lawyers that specialize in case law and represent clients in court, found themselves in need of a piece of furniture that could not only store volumes of reference books but also could be transported safely and easily as they traveled from court to court. Judges would be required to travel to different courts, and the barristers had to follow them. Enter the barrister bookcase that… Barrister Bookcase Backstory
Exactly what’s involved in choosing the perfect dining bench? Measurements, bench requirements and design preferences are all involved in choosing just the right bench for your dining room or kitchen. Key Measurements for Dining Benches Dining bench length should be equal to the length of your dining table or slightly shorter. In order to allow enough room for your legs to rest between the bench and the tabletop, the height of the seat is important… How to Choose the Right Dining Bench
Furniture feet come in all shapes and styles. The feet of chairs and tables have often reflected different style periods throughout history. Different parts of the world developed their own furniture styles and over time influenced each other, bringing furniture feet through different phases that saw them wearing buns, balls and even claws. What facts can we share about furniture feet? Well, different feet developed at different times, and here we share some of the… Facts About Furniture Feet
Do you call it a nightstand or a bedside table, and is there in fact, a difference? A nightstand is typically defined as a small, low bedside table that usually has drawers. A bedside table is defined as a small table beside a bed. How are the two furniture types different from each other? Some believe there is just one main difference: Nightstands are expected to have at least one drawer, while bedside tables are… Nightstand or Bedside Table — What’s the Difference?
Decorative garden windmills make a lovely addition to home or business. They offer a warm greeting and a unique look. Whether you use them for yard, garden, or landmark, some questions may arise. Here’s some helpful info on what to expect with a decorative garden windmill. A Little Windmill History Windmills, also called wind pumps or wind turbines, go way back. Who made the first one in the United States? That honor goes to Daniel… 5 Questions About Decorative Garden Windmills
Many of us took a good look around last year. Inside and around our homes, that is. As the COVID-19 pandemic drove many of us into our houses and kept us there, we took notice of what furniture we needed to set up a home office, what rooms needed an upgrade, and ways to create more effective storage options. At the top of the list, we also looked for furniture that would bring us comfort… The American Lumber Shortage: What You Need to Know for Solid Wood Furniture
It’s the age of reclaimed barnwood, and one of the great things about it is barnwood already comes into the picture with staying power, having served its time on the land as barns. Now, it transforms into unforgettable furniture, with strength and history that are likely to keep it part of home furniture collections for another century to come. What else makes reclaimed barnwood so popular, and what makes it unique enough to not become… Why Is Reclaimed Barnwood So Popular?
Should you or shouldn’t you? Add a sofa table, that is. It’s another piece of furniture to dust and vacuum under, right? Sofa tables have been around since the 1700s, evolving over time to serve homes with both function and style. Here are five reasons to add a sofa table to your home furniture collection. What is a sofa table? Sofa tables of the late 1700s were actually used in front of the sofa for… 5 Reasons to Add a Sofa Table
It’s time for oak versus brown maple, where we’ll take on the two least expensive hardwood types that offer a world of possibilities for Amish furniture, and we’ll compare their strengths and weaknesses. The ultimate goal is to help you decide if one of these wood types would be the best fit for your vision of new wood furniture. Comparing Colors Oak Wood Colors There are several different species of oak trees. The two main… Oak vs. Brown Maple: How They Compare for Wood Furniture
Rustic wood furniture embraces the natural, and with that au natural look come knots. Should you fill them? What does that mean? How is it done? What are the benefits? Let’s take a look. Defining Rustic Wood Furniture While rustic wood furniture is a style that embraces the natural, accepts imperfections and celebrates rugged elements, people often interpret “rustic” in different ways. While some might like sun spots on barn wood or pin holes left… Should You Fill Wood Knots on (Rustic) Wood Furniture?
Gatherings for family meals come in all shapes and sizes, and so do Amish custom breakfast nooks. There are a number of questions that arise regarding a custom breakfast nook, which are built with solid wood and interchangeable features. We’ve taken those questions and answered them here to help you on your path to finding the perfect custom nook. Can an upholstered seat or back be added to my breakfast nook? Yes. Amish breakfast nooks… Custom Breakfast Nook FAQs
The advantages of folding furniture don’t all necessarily focus on saving space. While it’s true this transformable furniture is considered a space saver, there are other benefits to consider as well. Perhaps you camp frequently, entertain occasionally or prefer pieces of furniture that can multitask and get tucked away. Folding furniture can achieve those goals. Let’s take a look. Helps Keep Things Organized With shelves that flip open and fold closed when needed, furniture that… The Advantages of Folding Furniture
Wood inlays are a type of furniture feature that catches the eye. They represent the work of a true artisan, and they require a skilled hand to add them to wood furniture. What is a wood inlay and what does it do? A wood inlay is the addition of an often contrasting, colored material into a shape that’s cut out to accept the inlay. It is fit flush with the item it’s added to. The… Things to Know About Wood Inlays
There are 5 ways a Murphy bed saves you money. One item of furniture whose versatility and function make it a great fit for several living spaces, a Murphy bed does a lot more than just sit there and look good. The money saving factor is icing on the cake. And who doesn’t like to save money? How the Murphy Bed Got Its Name Also known as a wall bed, pull down bed or fold… 5 Ways A Murphy Bed Saves You Money
