This blog post was originally written on May 26, 2017. In March of 2021, Keystone Collections was acquired by Canal Dover. — “One of the first projects Dad ever did was build heavy duty quilting frames for my mom,” Marvin Martin, co-owner of Keystone Collections, says with a grin. “Mom jokingly said it looked like it was built to hold an elephant.” Seated in a chair on a late afternoon in one of the sprawling… Meet the Woodworker: Keystone Collections
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Whether you have a small home, apartment, or houseboat, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 furniture pieces for small spaces. Small Space Suggestions Small areas will benefit from the following: Multi-functional furniture. Furniture that matches the scale of the room. Utilizing wall space. Opening up the space with mirrors. Our Top 10 Picks The Amish Turley Hall Seat Bench Here’s multi-functional… Furniture for Small Spaces: Our Top 10 Picks
It was writer and art historian Cara Greenberg who first coined the term “Mid-Century Modern” in the title of her 1984 book. She recalled a design movement that remains popular today for its simple, straightforward style. But before its neat proportions and bright pops of color hit the screen in shows like Mad Men, mid-century modern furniture found its footing starting in the 1940s. Origin Hitting the scene roughly in the middle of the 20th century,… History of Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Sinking into a soft living room sofa or working comfortably at an office chair requires quality construction and support. Just as important as the construction of the furniture is the fine fabric or leather used to upholster it. There are lots of options to choose from when deciding on the right fabric or leather upholstery for your custom furniture. This Upholstery Buying Guide offers helpful points to consider when choosing a fabric with the sensational color… Upholstery Buying Guide
Many of us hope to furnish our homes with pieces that reflect our unique values. However, reality often gets in the way. Factors like cost, amount of space, and availability, tend to take precedence over having furniture that reflects the way we live. For the Shakers, a religious sect dating back to the 18th century, creating Shaker furniture that reflected their values was of the utmost importance. Taking a look at the development of the influential… History of Shaker Style Furniture
At DutchCrafters, we offer a variety of rustic furniture that creates a rugged warmth in the homes of our customers. Reclaimed wood furniture and rough sawn wood are some of our most popular options that cater to this distinct look. Although it is easy to confuse reclaimed and rough sawn wood, there are some key characteristics that set them apart. Keep reading to learn the difference between these styles. Amish Reclaimed Wood Furniture The reclaimed… Reclaimed vs. Rough Sawn: What’s the Difference?
Martin Yoder of our Middlebury Furniture Collection makes beautiful Amish furniture with the wants and needs of every customer in mind. His workshop, located in Middlebury, Indiana, holds a team of 15 who contribute to his solid wood masterpieces. Martin recently visited our DutchCrafters Furniture Store to explain some features of his solid wood furniture and to share a little history as well as what motivates him in the furniture business. Having recently doubled the size of… Meet the Woodworker: Middlebury Furniture Collection
Although Queen Anne reigned from 1702-1714, the style of formal furniture that would come to bear her royal name did not gain popularity in the Americas until the 1720s. Around that time, prosperity beckoned immigrants to the colonies, including a large number of British craftsmen. This made way for a major transition. The more ornate William and Mary style furniture was transformed. The result was Queen Anne style. The reign of William and Mary (1689-1702) heavily… History of Queen Anne Style Furniture
“An organized space creates clarity and clarity attracts success.” April 26 is National Administrative Professionals Day. This day recognizes all the hardworking administrators, administrative assistants, secretaries, and receptionists who contribute to keeping offices running smoothly. Handling all the demanding tasks that come through a busy office takes organizational and multitasking skills that are on point. It also requires a desk where they can stay organized, store paperwork, answer phones, take notes, and more. What desks are… Desks for the Busy Professional
Now that spring is here, it’s time to start thinking about your plans for summer. Outdoor entertaining is one of our favorite ways to spend the warmer months. A special occasion or just plain relaxing can be taken to the next level with a pretty patio. Prepare your patio for summer parties with our tips below. Get Gardening Start small by choosing pretty planters that will add a personal touch to your outdoor space. Our LuxCraft 24″… How to Prepare your Patio for Summer Parties
Joseph McHugh definitely peeked at AJ Forbes’ paper. In 1894, AJ Forbes made a solid wood chair for San Francisco’s Swedenborgian Church. This handcrafted chair featured a simple, straight-line construction, and was well-proportioned. It was also comfortable and durable. Forbes’ design was inspired by not only the Spanish Missions in California, but also the Arts and Crafts movement that sought to leave behind the overly ornate and artificial style of the Victorian era. Then Joseph… History of Mission Style Furniture
In 2008 Herman Miller was building tables for the RV industry when two things happened that changed the course of his life: His wife Emma suffered kidney failure, and the RV industry began to struggle due to the economy. After Emma received a kidney transplant, the Millers sold their farm in Topeka, IN and moved to town. Herman had not been working as much to help take care of his wife, but once she was doing… Meet the Woodworker: Innovative Designs Collection
Like the dining room in your home, where the company gathers for meetings is an important space. Many great ideas take shape in conference rooms. Therefore, it is important to select the right conference table. We’re narrowing it down by explaining the various possibilities and benefits of round, square, rectangular, and boat-shaped tables. Our conference table buying guide will help you create an ideal setting for the meeting of minds. Size Follow these general rules… Conference Table Buying Guide
The hope chest has been referred to as many things, including a dowry chest, a trousseau chest, and a glory box. No matter what it’s called, this tried-and-true treasure has evolved to remain a favorite piece of furniture. How the Amish Helped Bring Hope Chests to America The hope chest dates back centuries, revealing a rich and fascinating history. It originated at a time when marriage included the exchange of property between families. The idea… History of the Hope Chest
Just as a good book and a glass of wine, cozy slippers and a warm robe, or a cold glass of milk and your favorite cookies go together, fine Amish furniture combinations can quickly become some of your favorite combinations. We’ve highlighted some exciting duos from our collection of solid wood furniture with some features that speak to why they work together so well. Dining Room Table with Bench Seating For dinners, parties, meetings, and more,… Perfect Pairs: Fine Furniture Combinations
