Amish furniture

Amish furniture first gained attention in the 1920s, when early American folk art was "discovered", and dealers and historians placed great value upon the beauty and quality of the pieces.

The order book he offered to his customers contained watercolor paintings of his pieces and is now in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Amish woodworkers pride themselves in their work and view their products as both pieces of art and furnishings to be used and lived in for generations.

[3] The Shaker style is plain, yet elegant and has a very simple and basic design aimed at functionality and durability.

During the second half of the 19th century, Grand Rapids became a major lumbering center, processing timber harvested in the region.

After an international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, Grand Rapids became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture.

[5] A furniture-makers’ guild was established in 1931 to improve the design and craftsmanship of Grand Rapids furniture.

National home furnishing markets were held in Grand Rapids for about 75 years, concluding in the 1960s.

In recent years, the Amish furniture market has expanded to include online sales.

Relationships are often developed, and the retailer becomes the middleman between the simple life of the Amish woodworker and the modern buyer.

Northern red oak is a very popular choice for American consumers for its warmth, color, and durability.

Maple wood offers a spectrum of beauty from different angles, and is popular because of its consistency in grain and taking stain well.

Elm ranges in color from nearly white to brown with a red tinge and is fairly stiff and heavy.

Walnut is heavy, hard, and stiff and ranges in color from nearly white in the sapwood to dark brown in the heartwood.