Amish craftsmen create quality bedroom furniture.
Materials and workmanship can make the difference between a bedroom set that lasts for years and one that does not. Amish bedroom sets are heirlooms that endure for generations. According to Dr. Bruce Tharp, professor of designed objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, any claim to "Amish" is indeed a broad generalization. There are over a dozen formal types of Amish and countless subtypes. Common characteristics, however, are found in Amish furnishings.
Design
Amish bedroom furniture aesthetics tend toward country design. Farmhouse, mission and colonial styles are common. Steve Edwards, owner of The and Trim Company in Spring Grove, Illinois, works directly with Amish craftsmen and says they are also willing to create custom sets using clients’ unique ideas. Furniture can be altered to fit a room. Even though the Amish would not use ornate furniture themselves, they will produce it. They listen to the market and make just about anything that will sell.
Materials
Amish furniture is made from hardwoods. According to Dr. Tharp, red oak is easily the most common wood used in furniture. It is sturdy, less expensive, and appeals to the Amish frugal nature. It will not be taken as "fancy," which could be seen as showing off. Edwards’ customers are offered standard choices such as birch, maple, walnut, alder, and mahogany. Customers can request other special order or cut wood species as well.
Construction
According to Edwards, only "Older Order Amish" make furniture simply using hand tools. The process is too time-consuming to result in profit. Most employ alternatively-powered tools, including table saws and planers. Amish will generally not use electric tools. They opt for a belt or pneumatic system that is gas or diesel powered. Each Amish community establishes its own rules to allow members to keep their beliefs, yet still produce furniture in a timely manner. Wood selection, layout and assembly are still done by hand.
Sales
Amish people used to make furniture just for other Amish, but began to sell it elsewhere when the general public recognized its craftsmanship. Plus, according to Dr. Tharp, many people are anxious to support their local, historic Amish communities and buying furniture from them is one easy way to do that. There are Amish furniture trade shows in Ohio and Indiana where buyers can see a lot of individual craftsmen in one place. Not all Amish participate in those. Furniture is also often sold through brokers to stores and outlets.
Quality
Amish craftsmanship is outstanding with great attention to detail and material, Edwards says. The wood for bedroom pieces is kiln-dried for proper moisture content. It is then sanded and smoothed inside and out. Edwards says the Amish use dovetail joints in their dresser drawer boxes. The drawer slides run smoothly.
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