Sep 13 2009
The Elegance of Amish Bedroom Furniture
You bedroom is meant to be a place of rest and refuge, and should therefore have furniture that reflects peace and security. Solidly constructed Amish furniture can do just that. Amish craftsman make their furniture by hand and employ the best traditional furniture-making techniques known in our day. Fathers train their sons, and they work side by side to build furniture meant to endure for generations. Woods are carefully selected for their superior quality and beautiful grain. Every genuine piece of Amish furniture is made of solid wood construction, with no particle board or veneers.
You are making a big investment when you purchase Amish furniture, but the returns will far exceed you expectations. When you go to purchase Amish furniture, be sure you are getting the highest quality construction materials and techniques. Each piece should be crafted of solid wood, including solid wood backs on upright pieces such as oak dressers. Different woods are available, including oak, quartersawn oak, cherry, maple, hickory, and pine. These quality hardwoods are kiln-dried to assure proper moisture content. This helps prevent splitting and cracking for the life of the piece.
Be sure to examine the construction carefully, whether you are selecting an entire bedroom set or a single piece. The Amish use generations-old techniques to build solid and enduring works and are renowned for their handcrafted furniture. If you are considering pieces such as dressers, nightstands, chests of drawers, armoires, and chifferobes, their drawers should hold up under rigorous daily use. The thing to look for here is that they have dovetail joints holding the fronts and backs of the drawer boxes together with very tight tolerances. You might want to keep in mind that English dovetail joints provide more storage capacity than French dovetail joints. Be sure to also inspect the drawer slides, which should run smoothly in both directions.
The bed is the centerpiece of any bedroom set and should be made with solid-wood side rails and slats, which eliminates the need for metal mattress frames. Be sure the cross slats are tongue-and-grooved or doweled into the side rails. When constructed this way, the bed will be extremely sturdy and any swaying will be eliminated. Headboards and footboards should be constructed with full mortise and tenon joinery, further providing superior strength. Beds are available in a variety of styles, most commonly Mission, Shaker, Sleigh, or Traditional. Remember, true Amish-made furniture can always be custom ordered to fit your exact needs.
When selecting a quality piece of heirloom Amish bedroom furniture, you also need to pay attention to the finish. The best craftsmen will sand down the wood in several different steps, ensuring a smooth surface inside and out. Some shops will finish each furniture piece employing a five-step process that uses a top-grade catalyzed finish so strong it stands up to acetone nail polish remover. This guarantees that every surface, from top to side to underside, is finished and sealed to protect your investment for many years to come.