One way to tell if you truly have purchased a piece of Amish furniture is to inspect the item to see if it is made of 100 percent wood
. No particle board or laminate should be use.
Each piece of wood is selected by hand in order to best match the piece of furniture the craftsman has in mind to create. He will look at the wood's grain to ensure it will help achieve the look he is going for in his creation. In fact Amish furniture craftsman look at their craft as art as well as furniture. They create each piece and for beauty with the idea that it will last in a family for generations.
Amish furniture became quite popular in America in the 1920s. Wikipedia.com states that folk art became all the rage during the time and historians and art dealers put great store in the quality and look of Amish furniture.
Strict Amish sects don't believe in the use of electricity. While some Amish are more "lenient" about the use of electricity than others, much of what is "true" Amish furniture still is made by hand using tools that are powered by pneumatic or hydraulic power from diesel generators. The detail and finishing work almost always is done by hand.
The simple lines and austerity that we've come to recognize as Amish furniture began with by Henry Lapp of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Lapp followed the styles of Welsh furniture and gave up the painted style of Amish furniture.
Amish furniture comes in styles that fit just about every taste and home decor. The Shaker and Mission styles are quite plan and unadorned, while a Queen Anne style of furniture has more carved ornamentation. Do you own a home in the Southwest? There's a Southwestern style of Amish furniture for you. Do you have a beach house on the shore? There's a Beachfront style for you.
You truly can get any style of Amish furniture you desire. You may choose from a variety of woods, stains and even upholstery. You truly do owe it to yourself -- and your heirs -- to purchase at least one piece of finely crafted Amish furniture.
No longer do Amish furniture aficionados need to make a trek to Pennsylvania or Ohio in order to purchase real Amish furniture. Many online sites offer authentic Amish pieces for collectors or anyone who wants to own a beautiful piece of art that can be used as furniture.