Friday, 3 July 2015

About Amish Log Furniture

Amish buggy


Amish log furniture is not restricted to one particular style or region of the country. For hundreds of years, Amish woodworkers have created beautiful works of wood to grace their homes. Beds, dressers, hutches and dining room ensembles are but a few of the fine furniture pieces for which the Amish have established a stellar reputation. Does this Spark an idea?


Hand-Picked Woods


Crafted from hand selected and harvested quarter sawn oak, cherry, red oak, hickory, walnut and sweet maple, Amish handcrafted solid wood furniture is unsurpassed for beauty and functionality. For simple, home-style use, the Amish also craft accessories and home decor items from white pine, cedar, birch and beech logs. Simple in design and solid in structure, Amish log furniture is meant to last for centuries. The logs are hand-picked for shape, size, character and unusual burls or branches. Twisted and tangled trees, unsuitable for cutting into lumber, are harvested for their unusual knots and grain patterns that add character and rustic charm to the finished furniture piece.


Quality Workmanship


After the logs are harvested, Amish woodworkers hand-peel the bark from the logs using a traditional draw knife or small hatchet. Knots, cracks and checks in the logs are retained and incorporated into the design. The logs are then hand sanded to the desired degree of smoothness. Utilizing traditional methods including wooden pegs, dovetailing and mortise and tenon joints, Amish artisans build furniture of unusual quality, strength, beauty and superior workmanship. Amish furniture designs are crafted in classic Mission or Shaker style and finished with eco-friendly, non-toxic oils that provide a satin-smooth finish that is simple to maintain.


Solid Strength


Unlike manufactured furniture, Amish furniture is made only from solid woods; the Amish never use fiber boards, particle boards, plywood or veneers. The sides and bottoms of log beds, dressers, chairs and wardrobes are as solid, well crafted and beautiful as the fronts and tops. Tops and sides are cut from heavy planks carved out of the harvested logs.


A Variety Of Products


The Amish artisans produce a wide variety of furniture from logs and lumber. In addition to dining room and bedroom furniture, the Amish woodworkers create exquisite cabinetry, chests, desks and chairs. The very popular glider rocker is a huge seller. The Amish also create rocking horses, bird houses, mailboxes and beautiful collectible boxes of all sizes. From Amish builders you can also purchase outside furniture including gazebos, lawn furniture and patio shelters.


Furniture Availability


The strict rules of the Amish church, or Ordnung, are faithfully observed by every member of the Amish community. The rules cover all aspects of day-to-day living including prohibitions or restrictions on the use of electricity, telephones and automobiles. Tthe majority of Amish furniture pieces are hand crafted and workers avoid power tools.


Although the Amish do not maintain detailed community records, it is estimated that approximately 250,000 Amish or "Plain People" live in the United States. The Amish reside in 27 states and the Canadian province of Ontario. Pennsylvania and Ohio have the largest concentrations of Amish communities. The Amish are among the fastest-growing populations worldwide, having an average of seven children per family. The Amish communities are scattered widely, and furniture availability and design may vary among different groups. The majority of Amish artisans advertise their products as "Amish made" and you can view these fine furniture items in their shops or order them online.

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