Meet 11 Furniture Makers Who Embody The American
Despite a wave of outsourcing over the past two decades, Americas furniture manufacturing industry is well and alive. While some design companies chose to pack up and head overseas to cut costs, a handful of American furniture makers have chosen to stay and weather the expense storm.
As Peggy Farabaugh — founder at Vermont Wood Studios — told us, artisans like herself are finally reaping the rewards for choosing for making ethically-sourced and designed American furniture. I think people are weary of poor quality and worried about the unknown origins of imported furniture, Farabaugh explained. What kind of wood is it made of? Where is that wood from and is it harvested legally? Who makes the furniture and under what kind of working conditions? Consumers also want to know what toxic chemicals may be used during the manufacturing process and the exposure their children will have to them.
Farabaugh also points out that, because this trend is in line with the current craft and organic movement, the new generation is advocating for it. Decades ago people became concerned about where their food comes from and they starting buying organic, she said. Now, people, especially millennials, are looking into the origin of other things they acquire. That’s fueling the American made movement.
In this installment of How to Buy American, were taking a look at how the once-diminishing domestic furniture industry is flourishing thanks to these manufacturers.
Advantages Of Using Solid Wood
- Solid wood contributes to the classic elegance and aesthetic appeal that people like in traditional bedrooms. Pieces made of solid wood are often decorated with elaborate hand-carved patterns and delicate details that a skilled craftsperson can only achieve. Traditionally handcrafted artistry can never be replicated via the use of mass-production methods.
- Solid wood pieces bring warmth and character to contemporary spaces, contrasting the rooms slick surfaces and clean lines. Modern rooms may seem cold and antiseptic, but adding a touch of wood can warm up the space and make it feel more welcoming. Certain kinds of woodwork are better than others when it comes to carpentry. Because of the long and straight grain of cherry wood, it is an excellent match for the straight lines of contemporary interiors. Aside from that, cherry has a deep, warm hue that stands out well against a monochrome contemporary design.
- Solid wood has seen a resurgence in appeal due to the increasing popularity of the modern-rustic home design. Using design components from the opposing ends of the design spectrum, this kind of interior design may be used to create a new style that is both original and distinctive. In rustic design, the crisp lines and flat surfaces of contemporary design are contrasted with the rough textures and natural hues of the natural world. This mix produces clean and rough rooms, elegant but natural in their appearance and feel.
What To Look For In Solid Wood Furniture
Since many customers buy almost exclusively from online sources, you’ll want to search for clues to the quality of a piece before you buy.
âSolid wood furniture is exactly as it sounds, furniture assembled from solid pieces of wood, as opposed to a hardwood veneer over an MDF board. Solid wood furniture is typically heavier and more expensive than its veneer and MDF counterparts,” says Betsy Moyer, Co-Founder of Retreat. “It’s usually meticulously crafted with fine joinery to ensure it holds together for generations of use. We call this level of craftsmanship heirloom quality.â
âWalnut, Oak, Maple, Hickory, & Teak are common hardwoods for furniture ,” adds Moyer. âThey are typically more expensive than softwoods, and for a good reason.”
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Quality Construction And Lifetime Durability
What makes solid wood furniture unique and coveted is the high craftsmanship that creates pieces that will last a lifetime. The presence of nails, screwsor worse, glueis a warning indication that something is wrong.
Dovetail joinery, mortise and tenon construction, and dowels are all examples of high-quality wood furniture building methods. They are better because they are considerably more durable and dependable than previous methods. The squeaking may be very loud when climbing into and out of a metal bed due to the metal frames with screws and box springs that make up the bed. The methods described above will result in a sturdy wood platform bed that makes very little noise.
Solid wood components have long-term durability. They can be passed down from generation to generation because of their exceptional quality. Old pieces of furniture may even be recycled and used to create new pieces of furniture. Additionally, solid wood furniture may be sanded down and refurbished to give old furniture new life, which the generation that follows can then use.
Comparison With Engineered Wood
Perhaps the greatest advantage of solid wood is that the wood is the same all the way through, so repairs are relatively easy. Repairs to veneer are much more difficult and sometimes impossible.
Solid wood furniture is strong enough to easily satisfy all furniture applications, and it can last for centuries. Society is still questioning whether furniture made of plywood can do the same. Plywood and other engineered wood products used to make furniture are typically covered with a veneer such as Cherry.
It is common today for furniture manufacturers and retailers to advertise such veneered plywood furniture as made of “wood solids with cherry veneers”. Most customers believe that to mean solid planks of less expensive woods such as poplar, etc., with expensive woods such as cherry used for veneers. However, “wood solids” is a term of art. The “wood solids” are simply plywood, or another engineered wood product.
In the USA, the Federal Trade Commission doesn’t allow furniture to be advertised as made of “solid wood” unless all exposed surfaces are in fact solid wood. Solid wood is expensive. Engineered wood is not.
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Why Solid Wood Bedroom Furniture Is A Great Investment
If youre shopping for new bedroom furniture for the first time, the sheer amount of choices available may be daunting. Solid wood furniture is the best option if you want to furnish your home with attractive furniture that is long-lasting and easy to maintain. Solid wood has several advantages over other lighter alternatives such as plywood and fiberboard.
There is nothing that can compare to the warm and natural beauty of solid wood furnishings. Beautiful indoor furniture is created by combining distinct grain patterns and soft textures with rich natural colors to produce a stunning look. They are visually appealing and may be utilized in various settings, including classic and contemporary settings.
Where To Buy Solid Wood Furniture Made In America
La-Z-Boy Southeast | June 16, 2020
Are you interested in learning where you can buy solid wood furniture made in America?
Furniture made in the USA creates jobs, supports local communities, and is better for the environment.
In this article, we will take a look at seven places youll find solid wood furniture made in America.
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Why Buy Amish Made
Unlike much of the furniture produced today, our Amish furniture is intended to stand the test of time. They are made to endure several generations.
Lets take a closer look at why so many people love our furniture and why they simply cant be satisfied with anything else:
The foundation of Amish furniture is the skill of its craftsmen. Their expertise in bringing their furniture to life comes from generations of furniture-making experience.
Part of the reason that our furniture is so durable is that it uses solid hardwoods. A large percentage of today’s furniture contains sawdust mixed with glues and chemicals. This furniture will fall apart quickly.
The quality of our furniture means that it will stand the test of time. Our furniture can be easily repaired and refinished which only adds to its tremendous value.
The Amish harvest local woods such as beautiful oak, cherry, maple, and walnut. Since materials are harvested locally, they dont produce a great deal of carbon in the process.
Our furniture is meticulously handcrafted. Our pieces can be customized in different ways for your living space. If you want a custom piece of furniture thats perfect for your home or business, then you’ll love what we can offer.
Part of the appeal of our furniture is its appearance. Its the result of selecting beautiful hardwoods, using time-tested construction methods, and adding artistic touches like stains
These Classic Brands Stand Up To The Test Of Time
Leah French is a home decor expert who has worked in the interior design industry for over 15 years. She specializes in interior decorating using vintage and antique finds from flea market and yard sales. Her work has been featured in Victorian Homes, Romantic Homes, and Flea Market Decor magazines.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Buying used furniture of relatively recent vintageup to 60 years oldis different from investing in fine antiques. Certain brands and makers have developed devoted followers as a result of their unique design and extraordinary craftsmanship. Buy a piece of used furniture from one of these makers and you’ll have an investment that may well increase in value over time. It’s important to keep a careful eye out for scams, though: flea markets are notorious for selling look-alike items worth far less than the real thing.
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Solid Wood Furniture From Decker
Experience the original power of the forest in your own four walls and develop an awareness for healthy living. Over the years we have developed a feeling to bring your needs into harmony with nature. Just as diverse as nature is, is the selection of solid wood furniture that Decker offers you. No matter what your furnishing requirements are and what demands you make on modern living ideas, we always have the right furniture for you. Choose between different collections and materials.
Experience the original power of the forest in your own four walls and develop an awareness for healthy living. Over the years we have developed a feeling to bring your needs into harmony with nature. Just as diverse as nature is, is the selection of solid wood furniture that Decker offers you. No matter what your furnishing requirements are and what demands you make on modern living ideas, we always have the right furniture for you. Choose between different collections and materials.
Disadvantages Of Solid Wood Furniture
There are a few disadvantages to solid wood furniture due its natural materials.
Moisture can be an issue if your furniture if it isnt sealed with a quality finish. If water leaks into the wood, it may cause mold.
Drastic changes in temperature and humidity will also cause natural wood to warp. However, this can be prevented by keeping your furniture inside and preferably in the shade.
Another thing youll notice about solid wood furniture is that its heavy. This means you may need to hire a delivery team to move large pieces.
The final disadvantage is price. Solid wood furniture will have a higher price point than pieces made with cheaper materials.
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West Elm: Made In America
Price: Varies
The mid-range home decor retailer has an entire Made in America collections for customers looking for domestically manufactured home products.
Last year, West Elm launched the Local Showcase initiative so domestic makers can contribute ideas and products for the chain retailer to sell in its locations across the country. The nine categories the company is seeking to beef up in its locally-made initiative are: Giftables, home textiles, kitchen goods, garden, personal care, personal items, furniture, décor, and food.
Local Showcase is in concert with the Local initiative at large, director Mo Mullen said during the launch.We ran a small business grant competition in 2014 as part of that process. We had makers and designers come to stores. We had such an incredible response, and it was a great way for our stores to dig deeper and get to know our community more.
In developing Local Showcase, West Elm was determined to expand its outreach to what has emerged as an important resource. We want to make sure that were able to give our stores the opportunity to connect with as many local designers and makers as possible, Mullen said. We want to double our base of local designers and makers.
You can get a taste of the Local Showcases results with West Elms growing Made-in-USA sofa collection, sold in its American stores.
What Are Mortise & Tenon Joints
A mortise and tenon is a type of wood joinery that connects two different pieces of wood.
The tenon portion of the joint works as a peg, and the mortise is the hole or slot into which the tenon is inserted.
Both pieces are then glued together during assembly. Most mortise and tenon joints are square or rectangular in shape, but round peg shapes are also common.
Mortise and tenon joints are popular on solid wood tables, chairs, and sideboards.
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Stylish Companies Young And Old Make Their Products In The Us
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Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
The direct-to-consumer business model has become increasingly popular in recent years, with brands like Warby Parker and Brooklinen becoming household names. And Maiden Home is using the same strategy to sell its American-made furniture. This brand sells its high-quality furniture online, skipping traditional retail stores, to minimize retail markup and keep costs affordable for buyers.
Maiden Home was founded in 2015, and the brand sells sofas, sectionals, chairs, bed, ottomans, and more. Each piece of furniture is handcrafted in North Carolina by skilled craftsmen with decades of experience, and they use high-quality materials to create products that will last. Maiden Home offers a mix of classic, modern, and midcentury designs. And because of its direct-to-consumer model, its products often cost thousands less than you might otherwise pay for American-made goods.
Because of this brands long legacy and unbeatable craftsmanship, Stickley furniture is typically quite expensive. Think of it as an investment, thoughStickley pieces often appreciate in value over the years, and many styles become collectable items.
What Makes Solid Hardwood Furniture So Durable
The primary difference in the durability of hardwood and softwood is the presence of pores.
Hardwoods have pores that range in size and shape. The pores allow water to travel from the roots to nourish the wood and contribute to the grain pattern. The hardwoods structure makes it more dense and more resistant to fire.
Softwoods have a system of straight, linear tubes , which transport water and produce sap to provide strength to the stem.
| Wood | |
|---|---|
| Yew | 42 |
In general, softwoods are less expensive and have more uses than hardwoods. As a result, about 80% of all timber being used in the world are softwoods like pine and cedar.
Softwoods have a wide range of applications and are found in building components like windows and doors.
Hardwoods are generally more expensive than softwoods and can be more challenging to work with due to their dense nature.
However, the high density of hardwood means it will last longer than softwood.
As a result, hardwoods are more likely to be found in high-quality furniture, decks, and flooring that needs to last.
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Natural Characteristics Of Solid Hardwood Furniture
One of the reasons homeowners love solid wood furniture is because of its unique characteristics.
When you take a closer look at solid wood pieces, you may notice variations and imperfections:
- Knots: Will occur naturally during the growth of the tree.
- Grain: Varies based on how the tree was cut.
- Color: Wood closer to the bark will be lighter and closer to the center will be darker.
These natural imperfections do not reduce the structural integrity of solid hardwood furniture.
However, it makes each piece one-of-a-kind.
The Best Places To Buy Solid Wood Furniture
May 11, 2021
Have you ever heard the saying “They don’t make them like that anymore”? Close your eyes and imagine your grandfather or grandmother, aunt or uncle, mentor or family friend the one who has shared countless words of wisdom, including this phrase. Think about the feeling you get as you walk through their home. The warmth of the vintage solid wood armoire that has been handed down from generation to generation, or the smooth wooden side table with rich natural woodgrain that brings the room to life. These are pieces that tell family history, the works of art that are the centerpieces of memories, the things that make a house a home, the pieces that you might think are impossible to replicate…because “they don’t make them like that anymore”…or do they?
Now before you start planning to sweet talk your entire extended family into bringing the family heirlooms to the next holiday or housewarming party allow us to let you in on a little secret, “they” actually do “make them like that”. Not all quality furniture has to be found rummaging through antique sales or your great-aunt’s attic. We have put together a list of places where you can buy quality, solid wood furniture that won’t break the bank, but will bring a lifetime of happiness and the same feeling of nostalgia as your Grandma’s china cabinet. So. what does “that” actually mean? Two magic words: solid wood.
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The Difference Between Softwood And Hardwood
As you shop for solid wood furniture, you’ll likely come across both softwood and hardwood pieces. Knowing which option is best for you will help you make the right choice.
âAlthough hardwood furniture has a higher price tag, it has benefits that make it worth the extra money,â Brianna Hill, Founder of Over The Hill Designs, told Living Cozy.
âOne benefit is that they are incredibly strong and resilient this is why they can last for many generations without much maintenance. Another is that itâs a renewable resource. This means that they can be replanted and have a positive environmental impact on the planet,â adds Hill.
Hardwood furniture will last longer and provide you with more years of enjoyment in most situations. And if it gets scratched or dinged, a professional can refinish the surface to give your furniture new life, saving you money and keeping it out of the landfill. Unfortunately, the same is not always possible with softwood.
âFurniture made from hardwood has great longevity and is very durable.â
âHardwood is determined by how the tree grows, but most commonly referred to by its density,â Bryan Ferris said. âIn the United States, we have a few domestic hardwoods that are staples for building furniture, as well as some imported hardwood .â
