Amish furniture may refer either to the manufacturer or to a style. This brief guide introduces some popular types of indoor Amish furniture.
The phrase “Amish furniture” refers to the people who manufacture the furniture and a style of home furniture. This quick guide should help in choosing quality Amish furniture.
Who are the Amish?
“Amish” refers to a Christian religious group that split from the Mennonites in 1693. Jacob Amman promoted stricter adherence to some Anabaptist teachings than the Mennonites were practicing. In the 18th century, the Amish began migrating from Europe to North America; most lived in several American states and Canadian provinces.
The traditional Amish lifestyle has a rich heritage in farming and craftsmanship. Their simple lifestyle avoids most modern conveniences and ignores fashion trends in clothing. More background on Mennonite, Amish, and Shaker products may be interesting.
Crafting Amish Furniture
Amish furniture is generally created by small teams of artisans on farms. There is no “Amish Corporate Enterprises Inc.” that designs and builds the furniture. Instead, small or medium-sized businesses put their quality imprint on their products.
The furniture is then marketed using modern warehouses, distributors, and retailers. In addition, Brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers advertise through various media: flyers, newspaper or television ads, or via the Internet.
Custom Amish Furniture
Many retailers will take custom orders for home furniture and pass them to their Amish furniture manufacturing partners. Because the workshops are less automated than typical manufacturers, they can better respond to specific customer requirements.
Some other furniture brands may customize the type of wood or the stain color. By contrast, custom Amish furniture may be built to a specific size: “Please make our bookcase three inches deeper, that will suit that room’s shape.” Of course, a variety of woods and finishes are offered as well.
It is vital to confirm a retailer’s custom order policy. Wisdom also suggests checking whether there are additional costs for requesting specific changes.
Furniture Styles Made by the Amish
Many of these Amish craftsmen make furniture in a variety of styles. Some of the likely, and unlikely styles offered by an Amish furniture retail store are “Amish,” “American Country,” “Mission,” “Shaker,” and “Queen Anne.”
What is Amish Style Furniture?
No one concept can include all independent workshops. However, the usual criteria include: simple design and solid construction from natural materials sourced locally rather than imported; finishes include stains or paints. Some retailers say that “Amish” is not a style but rather an approach to quality.
Amish furniture in Pennsylvania is known for painted wood and trim. Several Ontario manufacturers include abstract decorations or inlaid designs and staining to highlight the wood grain.
What is American Country Style Furniture?
“American Country” furniture is made from various natural woods using a quiet color scheme. It has a simple appearance and is not ornate. It eventually developed into other furniture styles, including both Amish and Mission.
What is Mission Style Furniture?
Gustav Stickley originated “Mission” furniture due to the heavily embellished Victorian style. Like “American Country” features simple designs in natural materials, using straight vertical & horizontal lines and flat rectangles. It is associated with Spanish religious missions in California.
What Is Shaker Style Furniture?
The Shakers, a distinctly different Christian religious group, designed and built functional but straightforward furniture to promote their “modesty, harmony and order.” Their chairs, for example, are sturdy with three slats in the back; but light enough to easily hang from pegs to make space in their meeting rooms. Today, with this religious movement nearly extinct, Shaker furniture is manufactured by the Amish and others.
What is Queen Anne Style Furniture?
The Queen Anne style is more elegant and elaborate. It uses curved “cabriole” legs with carved feet or carvings such as shells or fans. While some Amish workshops build Queen Anne furniture, the style significantly departs from the Amish style.
How to Select Quality Amish Furniture
Selecting Amish furniture starts with researching the quality of the finished product. Check for solid wood versus veneered pressboard. Some other manufacturers may not offer a “solid wood” option. Read carefully because some drawer bottoms or shelf backs may not be solid wood.
Remember that natural materials fade in sunlight or swell, shrink, or crack due to changes in humidity. Therefore, any fine wood home furniture needs more care than metal or plastic.
As with any significant purchase, comparison shopping is essential. Ensure that the materials and design are equivalent before comparing prices. Include delivery or warranty options in the cost analysis.
Although Amish furniture is often first considered for the dining room, the Amish make excellent bedroom furniture. Whether new or used, we are selecting Amish furniture means creating a solid long-term investment in home furnishings.