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No man is an island but life is a lot more functional when he has one in his kitchen. The smart Amish kitchen table owner knows that a compliment to your perfect kitchen is an island. The contemporary home is not complete without a central work area for either chopping or peeling, eating, studying. Paying bills or gathering around it with friends. There is something magnetic about a great kitchen, where it is inevitable that everyone will eventually gravitate to the island and conversation will flow. Whether they have gathered there to help the host or just hang out and watch the work, the kitchen island can be the heartbeat and pulse of the home.

Not only can an island be a functional surface and storage unit but it is always a good sign of a great hostess when they realize that this is an area their guests enjoy and they provide drink and snack at one end while working at the other. An island can morph into a buffet with no effort and those casual brunches or cocktail parties now have a seamless stream. The surface is friendly to almost all foods and drinks.

Kitchen islands are now crafted in many different designs and materials. Some incorporate sinks, stovetops and even sunken in features such as pop-up blenders. From warming drawers to built refrigerators, an island is customizable for each home. While there are new materials appearing in the chicest kitchens wood still remains the popular choice. Wood surfaces can be designated areas for either chopping or baking. Making a specific area for each task is a popular organizational concept. By placing all items in one area for a specified task it makes the work as well as the clean up easier.

More and more green options are available for the earth-friendly homeowner. Many collectors of Amish solid wood furniture designs are well aware of their impact on the environment. A natural link between Amish design and Shaker design connects the early understanding of the Shakers on their footprint on God’s earth. Waste was not a notion in the Shaker communities and today Amish furniture connoisseurs can invest in greener kitchens with choices like sustainable lyptus and bamboo as well as recycled materials.

You didn’t spend all the time and money creating the environment you live in to be stuck in a kitchen preparing and cleaning up while guests are in another room. Your solidly built and beautifully designed Amish kitchen table can seat and host the guests as they congregate in and around your kitchen work station and island. Your kitchen set can be built to size, custom stained and finished to be a companion for life to your island station. As guests admire your welcoming kitchen you never know, they may even help clean up!

When you decided on a hand-crafted custom table from the Amish you invested in the ultimate amusement center, the perfect place for gatherings of friends for card game night or family for rainy day board game events. The hardwood surface is spacious and the vast amount of seating option provide ample playing room. Board and card games have come into vogue in a big way, with big board game conventions across the country. Games are inexpensive, great ice-breakers, the perfect way to get to know others and very relaxing.

GAMES WE PLAY -

• It is recommended that you choose games that keep everyone occupid, with little time in between plays so that everybody gets a chance to interact. Games where people have to wait around during other people’s turns make the game drag and causes people to lose interest and drift off to see what is on cable, or worse, call it an early evening.
• To keep the game play rolling choose trivia or card games, or question based games. For a totally fun evening of childish hi-jinxed plan a party around your Amish dining room table playing games like Mall Madness, Girl Talk, Candy Land, Guess Who?, Chutes and Ladders, Sorry! or Mouse Trap. Remember to serve candy and junk foods from your childhood.
• Themed game nights using murder mystery games such as the classic Clue or Crack the Case can be theatrically fun game events. Asking people to dress up as characters from Clue adds dimension to the evening. Always pick two or three games to let your guests or family choose from.

SNACKS WE SHARE -

• While some people take advantage of this evening with friends to use their Amish built bar and wine rack this is also a great opportunity to have fun without any alcohol. Not only can this be a wholesome night in but can save you a lot of money while earning you a lot of memories.
• Snacks for gamers is as essential as popcorn for movie goers. To add some glamour to your gamer snack bar try to upscale the snacks with treats like baked pita bread with spinach and artichoke dip.
• While chips and dips are always welcome remember that greasy hands make for poor playing, even damaging the games. So set out the baby wipes with the snacks.
• Having a cake showcasing the theme of the night also ties it all together.

PEOPLE WE ENJOY -

• This one element is the most important…Invite plenty of friends who are ready and willing to play in a spirit of fellowshipping and fun!
•  Choose games that will accommodate the number of people you plan to invite.
• If you have a large enough table you can group people at each end playing different games, perhaps creating a tournament-like atmosphere.

 Outdoor patio and deck furniture crafted by Amish woodworkers and proudly displayed outside your home is reason enough for hosting a casual backyard barbecue or a more elegant backyard wedding. Thanks to the quality of your choice of outdoor furniture and accessories there are plenty of ways to make your outdoor space inviting, comfortable and al fresco chic. The solid wood designs and stains are perfect fits for any type of party; even just celebrating summer or the end of a long work week.

Once you have the core foundation of your backyard room it is easy to get creative, even on a limited budget:

• Start with the foundation - Be sure that the outdoor furniture and cushions are clean and free of any splinters that may cause damage to clothing or flesh. Even the best of outdoor furniture can get weathered and dirty when it’s exposed to the elements. It is always best to invest in covers but even then a good cleaning will ensure that guests won’t get their clothes dirty.

• Make the best of the backdrop - The week before the event begin gardening and weeding the yard. If your outdoor space is not neat and tidy, with a weed free garden, trimmed hedge, freshly swept patios and walkways, mowed lawn and clutter free lawn it will take away from any furniture or decorations you have worked to present. By polishing your lawn you are creating a manicured environment for your perfect event.

• Turn it inside out - Search your home for things that you can bring outdoors for an unexpected punch to the decorating. Throw pillows, throw rugs, even tables and upholstered couches and chairs placed strategically in with outdoor furniture make a powerful statement.  Remember to protect your upholstered furniture by covering it with a clean lightly-colored slipcover or even bed sheet. You can set the pieces up in conversation pits throughout the yard. People will congregate and converse in these comfortable areas.

• Let there be light - Lighting sets a mood and for an evening or twilight event lighting is imperative. Light walkways and the perimeter of the area. Invest in inexpensive candles strewn liberally inside of glass domes, lanterns or hurricane lamps. Hang those white twinkle lights you bought at Christmas from the trees or wrapped around planters or fences. This not only provides soft backlighting but creates a whimsical ambience. For real impact string up a chandelier for a large tree.

• Color, color everywhere - By using color in unexpected ways you have created a memorable scene in an inexpensive way. Pick a color theme and spread it around the yard. From paper plates to flower vases use your color palette. Candles, inflatable balls, and paper lanterns are fun, cost-saving accessories that tie your event together. Fill a kiddie pool with floating colorful flowers and candles.

Early America did not have furniture manufacturers to supply the needs of homes and homemakers. Early on settlers had to build furnishings on their own or rely on what came in by ship. There were too few colonists to support even a single cabinetmaker. The earliest documented cabinetmaker in Williamsburg, Virginia was Peter Scott. Mr. Scott first appeared in the recorded history in 1722.

A cabinetmaker does more than the name implies. The tradesman known as a cabinetmaker is in fact a woodworker who specializes in making furniture; usually of high quality. In the 1700’s the cabinetmakers were responsible for the most stylish concepts in furniture. The term “cabinetmaker” chairs was often used to categorize the best chairs in the 18^th century. Cabinetmakers were once the trend setters, as they watched their counterparts in Europe they would mimic the newest trends for the citizens in the new land.

Some of the dominant styles brought to North America by cabinetmakers are still crafted in traditional styles today. Chippendale, Queen Anne, Federal, Sheraton and Hepplewhite name a few. The eighteenth century cabinetmaker was a busy and powerful trade.

Upholstery was usually missing from all but the seats of the cabinetmaker chairs.

 The humble table has been the place where men and women have gathered for centuries to eat, drink, fellowship, make decisions and much more. Traditionally the dining room table has been the meeting place in the home for families and friends to do much of the same. There is something deeply spiritual about food; its deepest enjoyment seen most when the food is shared at warm gatherings of people taking a moment to give to each other.

Today’s dining rooms are not just for supping with friends a few times a year. Today’s dining room must serve as craft area, office, school and the dining room table surface holds more newspapers and homework than food. Because of this finding a sturdy, well designed and well built table such as is crafted by the Amish is so important. Considering this one must also factor in style and size when selecting their dining room suite. Here are a few smart tips for selecting your table:

1. A versatile dining room table should seat six people. A table that is at least 35″ x 70″ is ample to hold 6-8 people.
2. Solid natural wood is the most popular choice for dining room tables. Most people believe it is the most enjoyable surface to dine on.
3. Durability of finish and the ability to accept heat, food chemistry and wear and tear should be considered.
4. Rectangular tables are the most practical. Buying extra leaves allows you to expand at a moment’s notice.
5. While rectangular is the most practical for seating circular and oval are best for conversations.
6. Watch out for the spacing of the legs. Your table top may be ample to seat everyone but misplaced legs can prevent your guests from having adequate leg room.
7. Check for leg stability and construction.

When selecting the chairs look for well constructed joinery. People put more use and abuse on their chairs than any other furniture. Leaning back, dragging in and out, standing on, etc., chairs must be selected with care. Helpful hints for happier dining room chair ownership:

1. Chair arms must be able to slide under the table without damaging them.
2. It is acceptable to use different chairs at the same table. Perhaps wing back, formal upholstered chairs at the head and traditional dining room chairs on the sides.
3. Always buy extra chairs. You can store the extra pair or two in other rooms. You will need these when company arrives or if, goodness forbid, something happens to chair.

The finest Amish craftsmen from Northern Indiana have been chosen to provide you with the highest quality dining room sets. Every piece of the dining room furniture line is constructed to retain its beauty and value for many years. All of our furniture is built from solid northern hardwoods and do not contain any veneers or particle board. They are all finished with ARRESISTOVAR, a tested and valued product. The Amish builders take pride in their work and build each table and chair to order so that you get a unique piece each and every time.