Article by Chris Pierce
Amish Furniture has its very own distinct style and is made primarily by the Amish in Ohio and Indiana. Made of 100% wood with great attention to detail, Amish furniture does not typically contain particle board or laminate. Special attention is given to the wood grain of which has been hand selected to match the piece of furniture being built. Known for is durability, Amish furniture makers view their pieces as a work of art that will be used for generations to come.
The Mission and Shaker styles are popular styles of Amish furniture and are very similar to each other with a clean, modern design versus the Queen Anne style known for its traditional styling with ornate molding and carved ornamentation. The Soap Hallow style of furniture is another style noted for its brightly painted colors in red, gold or black. Other popular styles include Rustic, Southwestern, Cottage and Beachfront. The skill of Amish furniture making is passed down through the generations making each piece a part of history.
Amish furniture gained notoriety in the 1920's during a time when American folk art was popular and beauty and quality where valued. The tradition of building furniture carried through to present time. The Amish do not use electricity, so many tools are powered by hydraulics and diesel generators. Oftentimes, detail and finish on the furniture is completed by hand.
Today's generation of Amish furniture is sold online. Because the Amish beliefs exclude the running of websites, non-Amish retailers become the middle man to sell the furniture online. The retailers attend Amish furniture expos in Ohio and Indiana to see the furniture in person and meet the Amish builders. Once a relationship is developed, the retailer works with the builders to sell the furniture on the internet. Amish furniture is now more widely used and more mainstream because of internet sales. No longer do customers need to visit retail locations to select wood grain and stain, the convenience of the internet allows for more sales where the consumer can make decisions from their own home. Amish furniture is steeped in history and made with the utmost care.