Here at Birchwood Furniture Galleries, we pride ourselves in providing our clients with choice, so, when we were given the opportunity to carry the line, we jumped at it! Hand made in barns in Indiana, each Borkholder piece is one-of-a-kind with the option of customization to fit your needs and specifications. This product truly is a great fit for any space!
Are you new to Amish furniture? Here is a little bit about their history – it’s a great one!
A Brief History
The Amish have been crafting furniture for centuries. In the 1700s, their brightly painted blanket chests took much inspiration from the Germanic art of the period. As time passed, different styles emerged from various wood working schools, and a lot of the ornate detailing and coloured paint were left behind.
Amish furniture increased in popularity in the 1920‘s with the popularization of early American folk art. This was a time in which beauty and quality craftsmanship was valued. What is most commonly thought of as Amish furniture today most resembles the designs of Henry Lapp, a furniture maker who favored simple patterns and lines.
Furniture Styles
Over time, the Amish have created furniture of many styles, however they are most commonly known for their Mission and Shaker styles. Mission style emphasizes simple horizontal and vertical lines and flat panels that accentuate the grain of the wood. Today, this style of furniture tends to appeal to people with a taste for the classics, or a more traditional aesthetic.
On the other hand, in the last decade Shaker furniture and cabinetry has become very popular. Originally Shaker furniture was widely known for its simplicity, quality, and functionality. Now the clean lines and proportions of this style have crossed over into the realm of contemporary furniture. Because of this, Amish furniture lines, like Borkholder Furniture, have great appeal with a wide range of homeowners.
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Techniques
Nowadays, Amish furniture is known primarily for being made out of 100% wood, without the use of laminate or particleboard. Every piece is built to order and is made to last so that is can be passed down from generation to generation.
Much attention is paid to the detail and texture of each piece of wood used in creating every piece of furniture. This is of the utmost importance in the tradition of their craft. Whether a family works to create bedroom, living or dining furniture, the craft that was passed down to them from those before is preserved.
Using electricity goes against the Amish tradition, but because their trade provides for many families, they have made allowances for certain technologies. Typically woodworking tools powered by hydraulic and pneumatic power run by diesel are now used.
Other than this, traditions are still in tack. If you imagine your piece of furniture being made by a man and son wearing a straw hat in a barn, on a farm, in the middle of Indiana, with no telephones, no email, no cars, you wouldn’t be too far from the mark. It’s pretty incredible that they have managed to preserve their ways.
The Borkholder Way
Borkholder Furniture embodies these traditions of quality workmanship. They pride themselves in creating heirloom pieces, made to last, to be handed down from one generation to the next.
In addition to the impeccable quality of their pieces, they offer endless customizations. From the edge of your table, the handles on your hutch, the legs of your bedframe, or the stain of your chair, everything is hand picked by you! We have samples and catalogues outlining all your options. How can you beat tailor-made, quality furniture?
Come in and shop our wonderfully crafted Amish line, Borkholder Furniture! Not sure what you are looking for? Ask away! Our Design Consultants are Borkholder-literate; they will answer questions you didn’t even know you had! Come see for yourself!
