The Elegance of Amish Bedroom Furniture

The bedroom is a place of rest and refuge, and its furniture should reflect peace and security. Well-made Amish furniture can provide just that. Amish furniture is crafted by hand using the best traditional furniture-making techniques known today. Fathers and sons work side by side, building furniture that will endure for generations. Only the best woods are used, selected for their superior quality and beautiful grain. You can trust that each piece of genuine Amish furniture is crafted of solid wood construction, with no particle board or veneers.

Amish furniture requires a substantial investment, but it will far exceed your expectations. When considering Amish furnishings, look for the highest quality construction materials and techniques. Make sure each piece is crafted of solid wood; this includes solid wood backs on upright pieces such as dressers. A variety of woods are available; most common are oak, quartersawn oak, cherry, maple, hickory, and sometimes pine. The best quality hardwoods are always kiln-dried. This insures proper moisture content, which helps to prevent splitting and cracking throughout the life of the piece.

If you are looking for an entire bedroom set or a single piece like wood dressers, be sure to carefully examine the construction. Using generations-old techniques to build solid and enduring works, the Amish are renowned for their handcrafted furniture. For pieces such as dressers, nightstands, chest of drawers, armoires, and chifferobes, check that they have quality drawers that will hold up under rigorous daily use. The dovetail joints holding the fronts and backs of the drawer boxes together should have very tight tolerances. Also keep in mind that French dovetail joints have less storage capacity than English ones. Don’t forget to inspect the drawer slides to make sure they ride smoothly in both directions.

As the centerpiece of a bedroom set, beds should always be constructed with solid-wood side rails and slats. This will eliminate the need for metal mattress frames. The cross slats should always be tongue-and-grooved or doweled into the side rail. Beds that are constructed in this manner will be extremely sturdy with no swaying. For headboards and footboards, look to be sure they’re constructed with full mortise and tenon joinery, further providing superior strength. Although beds are available in many different styles, most common are Mission, Shaker, Sleigh, or Traditional. However, true Amish-made furniture can be custom-ordered to fit your exact needs.

Be sure to also consider the finish when selecting a quality piece of heirloom Amish wood bedroom furniture. The best craftsmen will ensure a smooth surface inside and out by sanding down the wood in several steps. Some shops follow a five-step process to finish each piece of furniture, using a top-grade catalyzed finish so strong it’ll stand up to acetone nail polish remover. Through this process, every surface—from top to side to underside—is finished and sealed to protect your investment for years to come.

10 Simple Steps to More Romance in the Bedroom

As the most romantic room in the house, the bedroom should tantalize each and every sense. The following 10 suggestions can transform a regular bedroom into a romantic haven.

1. Focus on Comfort
What’s the first thing you see when you walk in the room? It’s the bed, and it should draw you in. Your sheets should be as comfortable as possible, and those with a thread count of 180 (or higher) offer a sense of soft luxury.

2. Color Your World
The color of bedspreads, pillow shams and blankets, for example, makes a statement about your room. Consider what you want that statement to be. You can do much more with the room’s color than merely updating the sheets. Partner up on a painting project and cover the walls with a warm, textured hue that fits in with the room’s other features. If you don’t have a lot of time to devote to your re-decoration project, you can still make a noticeable change. Pick a new window treatment. Toss a beautiful blanket over the foot of the bed.

3. Layers of Love
In addition to color, texture plays an important role in a romantic setting too. Layer different materials to mix things up. A luxurious Vellux blanket makes a nice accompaniment for crisp, quality cotton sheets.

4. Put a Premium on Pillows
It's easy to make your boudoir a little more comfortable. Toss a handful of comfy pillows on the bed. To add aesthetic appeal, layer pillows of different sizes. Don't forget to consider your sleeping needs when making pillow choices, too. To give a boost to an aging mattress or soften up one that's a little too firm, consider using a mattress pad that adds comfort and support.

5. Seasonal Focus
With relative ease, you can keep your den of romance in tune with the seasons. A scent like vanilla might be too heavy for spring or summer but perfect for winter or fall. Keep a variety of colors of bedding in the linen closet so that you can change them in conjunction with the seasons.

6. Scents of Romance
Want to make a unique impact on your room? Select scents that pique your sense of romance. To tempt the nose with scents that flow throughout the room, use oil diffusers essential-oil infused candles. For some, flowers = romance. Lavender and rosemary are good choices, and they can be the filler for sachets kept in closets. Bring those scents into the bed itself by using a lavender infusion when you wash your sheets. You can do it in just a few steps. The first step is to put lavender flowers into a small muslin sachet. Heat three cups of water to boiling. Next, put the lavender sachet in the water. Keep the combo covered on low heat for 15 minutes. You should include the liquid in the rinse cycle when washing your sheets.

7. Shed Some Light on the Matter
The last thing you want in your bedroom is too-bright light. Lower-wattage bulbs are good choices for a bedside lamp, as is a soft, pink light. Want to make a truly special setting? Candles are the way to go. Be sure to douse the candles before turning in for the night.

8. A Sound (and Romantic) Investment
Music and romance go hand in hand, so keep a few favorite CDs and a small stereo in your room, too. To create a peaceful sanctuary, hang thick curtains, which offer a pretty and practical solution that keeps noise out and romance in. Keep the curtains’ appearance in mind, too, as they’ll need to fit in with the visual mood. The television can be a romance killer, so if you have one in your bedroom, put it somewhere else.

9. Think Small
Now it’s time to make the room reflect the two of you as a couple. Put a photo and perhaps a souvenir from a favorite trip in a prominent place Brainstorm a list of ways that you can make the bedroom your special place.

10. Work as a Team
Think you know what pushes all the right buttons for your partner? You might learn some surprising new tricks as the two of you work together on building a more romantic room.

Redecorate Your Bedroom on a Budget

Making a change to your bedroom doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. A little creative thinking and planning can make a difference whether your working on a full project or just making a couple of changes.

Here's how to get started:

Pillows, pillows, pillows. Get a few of them, the $10 kind, in whole new color palette. You can easily make a beautiful monochromatic look simply by using pillows of the same color but mixing up several textures like chenille or elegant raw silk. You can get a romantic feel by creating a layer of pillows with larger pillows in the back and smaller ones in the front.

Want to make a big impact? Then a fresh coat of paint is one the most inexpensive way to go. Don’t forget, you can easily break down process by paint only one wall and focusing on a single area in your bedroom. Want to create some texture with your older more detailed closet doors? Then paint the closet’s frame in a neutral color and the inset in a dark one. Giving a room a new life can be as simple as painting the furniture. Experiment by giving an old mule chest dressers a faux antique finish or sponge paint the bland looking armoire.

A new headboard can be rather expensive. Try something new and creative like getting an inexpensive wrought iron or picket fence at a flea market. Bed skirts are a great way to make your bed look soft and sophisticated. They’re available in several color, textures and patterns. By using a soft and neutral color you can get the most in both beauty and versatility. You do not want it to be the center of attention, but you do want it to accent your bed.

Window treatments are easier than people think. Depending on the material used, swag curtains can be inexpensive and not too dramatic. It’s an easy way to add a touch of femininity. You can do this by simply placing plant or bicycle hooks in the ceiling. Or opt for just a blind and an inexpensive garland or floral accent at the top of the window. We also adore the simple look of pre-made drapes and a basic rod with funky finials. For a large selection of all these items you can try out Target, Walmart, Pottery Barn or Kmart.

Do you have a four-poster or canopy bed that needs a little life? Adorn the poles with fabric to achieve that "pond" affect, where the fabric appears to create a "pond" at the base. Getting this effect is easy, all you need is to add about an extra 20 inches before it’s cut. Candles are a perfect decorative item that many people tend to forget. If you want a little sophistication and romance use white ones, but if you want to pull focus to dresser or night stand consider a group of colored candles. Group candles in odd numbers -- even amounts tend to be boring. Try gathering an alter of different candle heights and place them on a wall or bookshelf.

Hanging framed artwork and posters or mirrors is inexpensive and can go a long way in changing the look of room, but make sure it doesn’t clash with your current décor. Keep it simple with a neutral colored frame - black, gold, brown or white. Add shelves for another quick decorating spruce-up. Collections are perfect for displaying on a wall shelf, but try to stay away from small items. Placing a lot of tiny accessories will leave the shelf looking cramped and cluttered. Want to try something simple yet elegant? Fresh flowers in glass bottles offer a minimalist touch. Or prop up your framed pictures or paintings on the shelves.