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.
Showing posts with label bedroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bedroom. Show all posts
Don't Get Fleeced Buying Your Sheets
Once you've bought your wooden dressers and your wood beds and you have your bedroom furnished just the way you've dreamed of it's time to consider picking out the linens. Of course, not all sheets have not been created equal. Are you considering taking out a second mortgage to afford those 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets at $500 a pop? Before you buy anything, stop and do the math. At that price, you’ll be paying $1.25 per thread! Read this guide and avoid being sent to the cleaners at your next white sale. Here is a quick glossary of terms to help you better understand the complicated world of sheets.Thread Count: Known as the “TC,” this is the number of threads per square inch. Try holding your sheet up to the light. Can you make out the actual weave of the fabric? Then you’ve got a low thread count on your hands. The higher your sheets’ TC, the softer and more lustrous your bedding will be. High TC sheets also tend to be more durable and less prone to shrinkage.
Combed Cotton: This is a cleaning method that eradicates impurities and gets rid of any short, less desirable fibers.
Muslin: This cotton fabric is considered to be at the low end of the cotton spectrum. You may want to steer clear of muslin fabrics, or you may be sleeping on one rough and tough sheet. Muslin is often used in children’s character theme bedding. The TC of these sheets ranges from 128-140.
Percale: A smooth, flat, closely woven and combed fabric, percale comes in 100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/poly blends. Percale is finer than muslin, with TCs ranging from 180-200.
Pima, or Supima: It’s long fiber staple makes this high-quality cotton somewhat similar to that of Egyptian cotton. Geography is what separates these two fabrics. Egyptian cotton grows along the Nile, whereas Pima is grown in the American Southwest. Extra-long staple Pima is used to make Supima. The luxuriously soft feel of Pima and Supima make these fabrics extremely desirable in bedding. The TC of these fabrics range from 200-300.
Egyptian Cotton: At last we come to the cotton queen of the Nile. Grown along the famous Nile, this exemplary cotton owes its durability, luster and silky feel to its extra-long fiber staple. The superior quality of this fabric is bolstered by TC ranging from 200 all the way up to 400.Don’t Get Fleeced: What You Need to Know *When comparison shopping, don’t be fooled. That $1500 300-TC Pima cotton designer sheet is no different that the 300-TC Pima non-designer one for $150. Once you have all the facts, don’t be afraid to buy that private label.
Buying American will save you big bucks. The price of imported white goods can quadruple due to import duties and other fees. Lastly, by taking good care of your sheets, you can stretch your dollars by making them last longer. According to experts, if you rotate your sheets once a week, you can extend their life for a good ten to fifteen years.
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.
Bedroom Furniture Guide
You want the furniture pieces in your bedroom to not only take up space but also serve you with their functions. Many manufacturers offer different options on the same unit. Below are the most popular items for your bedroom and their functions as well as different options offered by manufacturers.
Beds
Bed mattresses and their accommodating frame come in different sizes, which include
* Twin (39" wide x 75" long
* Full (54” wide x 75”long)
* Queen (60” wide x 80” long)
* Cal. King (72” wide x 84” long)
* Eastern King (76” wide x 80” long).
Choose the size of your bed according to your size and/ or how many people will be sleeping in it. The size of the room is also important, as you need to allow yourself enough space to walk around the bed and have easy access to closets and other doors. Twin size wood beds are most commonly used for children. Space can be maximized with bunk beds and trundle beds, which is a bed that slides in and out from under the bed and can be used to accommodate sleepover guests. A daybed is a combination between a traditional bed and a couch. It features a frame that wraps around three sides of the bed and can be lined with pillows to provide a comfortable backrest during the day, while the traditional mattress leads for more comfortable sleep during the night.
While most traditional beds feature a tall headboard with a low footboard, a platform bed is designed to provide a low-profile sleeping surface. It consists of a raised, flat horizontal surface that will support your mattress without a box spring. The drawers or doors underneath maximize your space by providing organized storage under your bed.
Full beds are about 15” wider than a twin, but if two people are sharing the bed, each is left with less space than on a twin! Even on a queen size bed, each person would still have less space than on a twin. The most comfortable bed for two people is a King size, which will allow the maximum space for each person, but keep in mind that this large bed may not be so easy to maneuver in and out of your bedroom.
Night Stands
Night stands are available with a variety of design options. They can offer drawers, doors, shelves or a combination of these features. Choose the features that will be the most useful to you. The most important feature, however, is the night stand’s height. Your night stand should be tall enough so you can see and reach your alarm clock or lamp from your bed, otherwise as tall as your bed.
Armoires
There are many different armoire configurations. Traditionally, armoires contain a hanging rod behind double doors and drawers lower at the base. However, there are armoires also known as entertainment cabinets that have a space for your television to remain concealed behind closed doors. These types of units can feature doors that fold all the way back to eliminate any viewing obstructions, as well as a swivel for your television to sit on. The bottom of this unit may sometimes feature drawers or another set of doors. There are also computer armoires that will accommodate all you’re your computer components and will have special features such as a pull out keyboard and a surge protector. No matter what their function, all armoires will take up a great deal of space, so adequate room is necessary for this unit.
Dressers and Chests
Dressers and chest mainly serve the same purpose. Whether you prefer drawers for storage that are lined vertically (a chest) or horizontally (dresser), is your choice. However, dressers can provide a great deal of storage by extending vertically as well as horizontally. These oversized dressers are known as mule chests and can provide different storage compartments besides drawers, such as doors or shelves. Chests usually consist of a single column of drawers stacked on top of each other, but some manufacturers offer different takes on this traditional style of chest. A “man’s chest” features a combination of drawers and large double-doors which contain shelves for storage. This piece is wider than a standard chest. A sweater chest will usually contain one drawer and one door. Usually close in width to a standard chest, a sweater chest will contain large shelves behind the door, perfect for storing folded sweaters. A lingerie chest is perfect for storing its namesake. This unit is usually narrower than a customary chest, but still features a narrow column of drawers. When choosing a dresser or chest, it is most important to take note of the drawers. You will need one that is voluminous enough to comfortably fit your belongings. Stuffing your drawers and forcing them shut will eventually cause them to break.
Mirrors
If the mirror in your bedroom is going to sit on top of your dresser, it is important to consider the scale of the dresser. You may either attach it to your dresser or hang it on the wall. Many manufacturers offer the “tri-mirror” which attaches to your dresser and is designed with three hinged, adjustable mirrors. You may also choose a full size, cheval mirror that can stand on the floor.
Beds
Bed mattresses and their accommodating frame come in different sizes, which include
* Twin (39" wide x 75" long
* Full (54” wide x 75”long)
* Queen (60” wide x 80” long)
* Cal. King (72” wide x 84” long)
* Eastern King (76” wide x 80” long).
Choose the size of your bed according to your size and/ or how many people will be sleeping in it. The size of the room is also important, as you need to allow yourself enough space to walk around the bed and have easy access to closets and other doors. Twin size wood beds are most commonly used for children. Space can be maximized with bunk beds and trundle beds, which is a bed that slides in and out from under the bed and can be used to accommodate sleepover guests. A daybed is a combination between a traditional bed and a couch. It features a frame that wraps around three sides of the bed and can be lined with pillows to provide a comfortable backrest during the day, while the traditional mattress leads for more comfortable sleep during the night.
While most traditional beds feature a tall headboard with a low footboard, a platform bed is designed to provide a low-profile sleeping surface. It consists of a raised, flat horizontal surface that will support your mattress without a box spring. The drawers or doors underneath maximize your space by providing organized storage under your bed.
Full beds are about 15” wider than a twin, but if two people are sharing the bed, each is left with less space than on a twin! Even on a queen size bed, each person would still have less space than on a twin. The most comfortable bed for two people is a King size, which will allow the maximum space for each person, but keep in mind that this large bed may not be so easy to maneuver in and out of your bedroom.
Night Stands
Night stands are available with a variety of design options. They can offer drawers, doors, shelves or a combination of these features. Choose the features that will be the most useful to you. The most important feature, however, is the night stand’s height. Your night stand should be tall enough so you can see and reach your alarm clock or lamp from your bed, otherwise as tall as your bed.
Armoires
There are many different armoire configurations. Traditionally, armoires contain a hanging rod behind double doors and drawers lower at the base. However, there are armoires also known as entertainment cabinets that have a space for your television to remain concealed behind closed doors. These types of units can feature doors that fold all the way back to eliminate any viewing obstructions, as well as a swivel for your television to sit on. The bottom of this unit may sometimes feature drawers or another set of doors. There are also computer armoires that will accommodate all you’re your computer components and will have special features such as a pull out keyboard and a surge protector. No matter what their function, all armoires will take up a great deal of space, so adequate room is necessary for this unit.
Dressers and Chests
Dressers and chest mainly serve the same purpose. Whether you prefer drawers for storage that are lined vertically (a chest) or horizontally (dresser), is your choice. However, dressers can provide a great deal of storage by extending vertically as well as horizontally. These oversized dressers are known as mule chests and can provide different storage compartments besides drawers, such as doors or shelves. Chests usually consist of a single column of drawers stacked on top of each other, but some manufacturers offer different takes on this traditional style of chest. A “man’s chest” features a combination of drawers and large double-doors which contain shelves for storage. This piece is wider than a standard chest. A sweater chest will usually contain one drawer and one door. Usually close in width to a standard chest, a sweater chest will contain large shelves behind the door, perfect for storing folded sweaters. A lingerie chest is perfect for storing its namesake. This unit is usually narrower than a customary chest, but still features a narrow column of drawers. When choosing a dresser or chest, it is most important to take note of the drawers. You will need one that is voluminous enough to comfortably fit your belongings. Stuffing your drawers and forcing them shut will eventually cause them to break.
Mirrors
If the mirror in your bedroom is going to sit on top of your dresser, it is important to consider the scale of the dresser. You may either attach it to your dresser or hang it on the wall. Many manufacturers offer the “tri-mirror” which attaches to your dresser and is designed with three hinged, adjustable mirrors. You may also choose a full size, cheval mirror that can stand on the floor.
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