Handmade Furniture: Top Ten Reasons To Buy It

Why should you purchase handmade/handcrafted furniture? I asked myself that same question after having just moved from Florida and moved into my new place in Vermont, and having NO furniture since I had sold it all before the move. After all, I hadn't purchased nice furniture in the last few years because I knew I was moving. So nothing I had would be what I would call....worth keeping. So, now I have a whole new outlook on buying nice furniture instead of running around to yardsales, not that there are any here this time of year, but now I want pieces that are going to last me for a long time. That may mean spending more but in the long run I will be saving money since the nicer pieces will last longer. I cannot tell you how many bookshelves I have bought from Walmart and they fall apart in the next year! Ugh! No more cheap stuff.

1. Handcrafted does not always mean expensive. I have seen some furniture pieces that are mass produced and they are not that much less then the handcrafted!
2. A lot of handcrafted/handmade furniture can be adjusted/custom made to fit YOUR specifications. Try asking Ikea to make your dining table the size you want.
3. Most classic furniture makers use "REAL" wood for their furniture. Tons of mass produced furniture is made from different types of particle boards.
4. When you are talking about handcrafting furniture, there are quality standards that tend to be upheld with the furniture artisan. Meaning they take tons of pride in their craft.
5. So, when talking quality furniture - one of those things is the mortise and tennon joinery used in making the furniture.
6. Also, when talking quality furniture - the furniture makers use true dovetails when making their drawers - this is a sign of quality.
7. Using high end hardware, for drawers and pulls.
8. Using real wood, preferably sustainable wood, instead of particle boards.
9. I think using natural, non-toxic furniture finishes are also a mark of quality.
10. And, I think the most important thing, these pieces last FOREVER if taken care of. These are furniture desks, beds, chests, hutches that you pass down to your children....or if you dont have children your family members fight over once you are gone. :)

So, when you are in need of a new piece of furniture, think of what I've said above and buy a true piece of handcrafted furniture. You won't regret it.

Enjoy!

Rebecca

Heart Shaped Valentine Chairs | Rebecca's Pick

Check out Vermont Woods Studio's red Heart Shaped Valentine Chairs just in time for Valentine's Day!  Give your honey his/her hearts desire with something unique and eclectic for your home.  Great conversation pieces to be placed in a foyer, hallway or as an accent to any room.  Handcrafted of figured maple hardwood with vervety red upholstery with painted red accents.  You can pick your choice of wood and the color of your upholstery.  Created by Vermont furniture maker Steve Holman.

For the luxury home with fabulous, funky style!

Enjoy!

Rebecca

Modern Shaker Style Furniture | Beautiful In It's Simplicity

If you like curves and ornate decoration on your furniture then the Shaker style is not for you.  Known for it's clean, straight lines and simplistic functionality, modest yet beautiful, Shaker furniture is unlike other furniture styles. 

Shaker Furniture: History

The Shakers were a Christian denomination that came to America from Europe in the 1700's to practice religious freedom.  They are called shakers because of the way they would "shake" during religious services.  Practicing modesty simplicity and efficiency.  The Shaker community has actually almost died out.  There are only four Shakers left in the country since the Shakers practiced celibacy.   Their numbers only increased due to taking in and adopting children, which was declaired unlawful in the 60's, making their numbers dwindle. But, because of their celibate lifestyle, the Shakers kept their hands and minds free from sin by practicing manual skills like carpentry.  This led to a high degree of craft and dexterity, and it shows in their furniture. They are especially known for their simplistic furniture style.

Shaker Furniture:  Modern Styling

Shaker furniture has had a huge impact on the modern furniture movement, and it's influences can be seen through many contemporary designers today.  Keeping in the Shaker tradition and the modern furniture look, the furniture is simple, straight lines, minimalistic style.  Modern furniture makers are keeping up the tradition of the Shakers with handmade, fine furniture made with hardwoods. 

Like other fine wood furniture, shaker furniture uses the traditional tenon and mortise joinery, dovetailing, and fitting pieces of wood together. There will not find screws, nails, or braces anywhere on a well built piece of Shaker furniture. Actually,  shaker chairs are not known for their wood frames, but for their carefully woven seats. It's a unique trait that sets Shaker style chairs and Shaker dining sets apart from many other custom furniture building styles.


Vermont Woods Studios keeps up the Shaker tradition with wonderful handmade Shaker Style Furniture.  With four Shaker furniture collections to choose from you are sure to find the perfect furniture addition to your home.  

Choose from:

American Shaker Furniture
Vermont Shaker Furniture
Classic Shaker Furniture
New England Shaker Furniture

Shaker Style furniture is considered by many a the only American Style furniture.  Our furniture is made from sustainable hardwoods in and from Vermont by Vermont fine furniture makers, keeping with the Shaker furniture making tradition, everything made by hand and made to exacting detail and standards.  Which just happens to be a New England standard as well.

Enjoy!

Rebecca