How to Style and Display Your Cabinets

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Carriage House Furnishings CupboardFor a long time, people didn’t see cabinets beyond their usage. Cabinets merely stored things, and that was it. However, cabinets can be styled and displayed to complement a room’s aesthetic, and say something unique about its usage.

In recent years, display cabinets have increasingly attracted well-deserved attention as a key design component of any home.

Here are some insider tips on you can style your cabinets to enhance your space:

It’s All About Color

 A bland cabinet doesn’t add anything to any room. It’s exactly that: bland. But even the simplest of cabinets can be given a new lease on life through a tried-and-true method: finding the right color. Find the color you’d want to perfectly match the flooring, furniture, and mood of the room, and design your cabinet accordingly.

We suggest shopping for corner cabinets made from rich and sturdy wood. To take it a step further, extend that color palette into the cabinet’s interior. There’s no reason that the entire cabinet shouldn’t come alive. Search for pieces that match the wood of your cabinet to bring the color out.

Smart Arrangements

 Then again, you could have a beautiful cabinet with the perfect color, but everything can fall apart with the arrangement itself. We’ve all seen failed cabinets: the plates and cutlery are stacked high, without any intended effect, and it doesn’t look visually appealing in the last bit.

Many people forget that arrangement can be design-oriented; presenting your possessions in a productive way adds to that effect.

What’s Up Top?

 This happens all the time: people forget that the top of the cabinet provides us with ample space to either store, or present. Use that space wisely: it can act as a great additional way to build upon your cabinet’s style, that doesn’t take any more room. And it’ll be a talking point at any dinner party!

With these style tips in mind, your cabinet can become a focal point of any room it’s in. At Carriage House Furnishings, we offer Amish-style cabinets that can fit well into any space. Contact us today if you have any other questions!

Understanding Rockers and Gliders

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When decorating any nursery room, you’ll likely have to decide between a rocker and a glider.

Rockers and gliders are both essential items throughout your child’s development and will likely be in the family for years.

But many times, customers are unaware of the differences between the two chairs and end up buying a rocker when a glider would’ve been better or vice versa.

Rocker at Carriage House FurnishingsWhat to Know Before Buying a Rocker

Rockers are usually what you first think of when you see a chair in a nursery room—they’re the typical rocking chairs, that rock back and forth.

For infants, the rocking motion is particularly helpful in putting the baby to bed, which will come in handy on those late nights. Many rockers today come equipped with cushions for the parent, and an ottoman to rest their tired legs on as well. However, the classic rocker was typically just a wooden chair with an arched back and arm rests.

At Carriage House Furnishings, we offer a diverse selection of rockers, most of which capture that rustic feel, with aged wood and unique designs. Many of these also look great on a wooden porch or back deck where you can create a quiet, tranquil place to rock your newborn to sleep.

Hickory Swivel Glider at Carriage House FurnishingsWhat to Know Before Buying a Glider

Now, gliders are a lot like rockers and they’re also exactly what they sound like. They’re on a bit more of a rotation than traditional rockers; Instead of rocking, gliders move, or glide, gently along their axis. They take less work to glide than rockers tale to rock, which could

be convenient in the middle of the night when you’re tired and just need a simple, fluent motion. They often come in a variety of styles, either modern or more antique. At Carriage House Furnishings, we offer both: gliders that are both new and cushioned, and others made of aged wood. Take your pick! If you’re going to place it in a nursery for naps and snuggles, we’d suggest a cushioned one.

With this information in hand, you’ll be able to choose the right type of chair for your home.

If you have any questions, just ask us here at Carriage House Furnishings, where rockers or gliders are one of our many specialties. Contact us today!

Tips on Achieving Farmhouse Style at Home

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Tips on Achieving Farmhouse Style at HomeIn recent years, many homeowners located within suburbs and cities have started to decorate their homes in a farmhouse-focused motif.

Farmhouse décor often creates feelings associated with warmth, comfort, and family and many people are busy creating a space that reflects that.

Consider these ideas for creating the charm of a farmhouse within your home.

Creative Signage

If you want to start light with your farmhouse décor, you might consider the use of a  rustic sign for your kitchen or family room. Signs that contain comforting quotes such as “Home,” “Simplify Your Life” and “Bless this Home” will give you and anyone who enters your home a feeling of warmth and inclusion.The

Dining Room

For real farming families, no matter how hard the work might be, they always make time to come together at the sound of the dinner bell to share some quality family time. You can create that feeling in your home by incorporating a finely crafted wooden dining table and chair set. Combine that with expertly made wooden cabinets, side tables, and folksy signage, and you could have a dining room just like those on the farms.

Farmhouse Seating

Think of any farmhouse you have seen in pictures and most people will envision comfortable seating and rocking chairs. There really is nothing like sitting on a finely crafted rocking chair after a long day, and there are many different styles to choose from including single chairs, rocking chairs made for two, and rocking chairs for the kids.

Distressed Paint Finishes

While many people cringe at the idea of chipping at the paint on furniture, when it is artistically done, this technique can give your home the ultimate farmhouse design. Whether you want to take on the project yourself or buy furniture that already has distressed paint finishes, it is a look that is sure to charm. This design is perfectly suitable for tables, chairs, and even shutters.

Whether you decide to settle on a farmhouse motif or you decide to go in another direction, you can find what you need at Carriage House Furnishings. We sell professionally handcrafted furniture and accessories for every room of your house. Contact us today to learn more.

Setting Up Your Ideal Patio

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Setting Up Your Ideal PatioThe warmth of the summer months persuade us to spend most of our time outdoors where we can enjoy the season.  Setting up your ideal patio for the summer depends on your purpose for the patio; will you use your space to accommodate large gatherings of family and friends or for more private, special occasions between you and a loved one?

Patios offer the perfect space for extending your living area and hosting guests outside, here are some ideas on how to set up your summer patio.

A Patio for Entertaining

 Setting up your patio for quality entertaining requires enough furniture to seat and host numerous guests. Gliders fit multiple people comfortably and give guests the choice of moving back and forth or staying still, while fan back gliders offer additional comfort for laying your head back.

Utilize bistro tables spaced out on the patio as the perfect holders of drinks and snacks, especially when hosting larger groups.

A Patio for Romance

Arrange a romantic patio for you and your spouse perfect for misty, glimmering mornings and dreamy, starlit evenings.

Focus on furniture built for two and cuddle close with your special someone on a curved swing or glider and enjoy the great outdoors, and one another, from the comfort of your own home.

A Patio for Relaxing

There is no better way to relax outside your home than by rocking on the patio. Single rockers and gliders placed next to an end table create the perfect combination for relaxing in the seasonal breeze while sipping fresh lemonade in the sun. Grab your favorite book or simply take in the feeling of the sun on your face.

Set up your ideal patio this summer with quality made Amish outdoor furniture from Carriage House Furnishings in Lancaster County, PA.

How to Decorate Your Kitchen Island

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How to Decorate Your Kitchen Island Kitchen islands come with many benefits: they provide extra kitchen storage, allow for additional seating, and grant more space for cooking.

If you bought a kitchen island from Carriage House Furnishings, consider adding some décor to help make it a focal point of your home.

Showcase Your Green Thumb

Simple yet charming, fresh greenery and stunning blossoms can add life to your kitchen island. Choose a large, overstated bouquet of flowers in energetic colors or a smaller, clear vase with a single flower inside.

If you think of yourself having a “green thumb,” consider growing herbs on your kitchen island that can easily be used when cooking meals to create a fresh taste.

Include a Splash of Color

Decorating your kitchen island with fruit is both refreshing and practical. Select your favorite delectable fruit to feature, from tropical oranges to bright lemons, a lot of different “fake fruit” is available for decorative purposes that won’t spoil.

If you are constantly grabbing fresh fruit, using real fruit makes more sense for your island in particular. Apples, limes, grapefruits, and oranges can easily be stored at room temperature in a decorative basket or bowl.

Consider All Details

Though placing pretty decorations on your kitchen island is certainly an option, if you want to save that space simply for preparing food, incorporate details around the kitchen island instead.

Incorporate pops of bright colors around your island using patterned rugs or bold bar stools. Consider using a light as a “statement piece” above your island that meshes with the rest of your décor as well. A decorative light fixture can make a huge difference in how your island appears.

Carriage House Furnishings has gorgeous kitchen islands in a variety of styles and colors fitting for all types of homes!

Benefits of Purchasing American-Made Furniture

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American-Made Furniture PiecesCarriage House Furnishings is so proud to design, build, and sell American-made furniture. We love producing unique, American-made pieces that will be part of your family for decades to come.

Purchasing furniture is an investment, and if you are willing to make that investment, consider the benefits that come with buying American-made furniture.

Reliable Craftsmanship

American-made furniture is often made by master craftsmen, creating a unique, sturdy piece that will reliable for years to come.  Made with quality woods, American-made pieces are durable and will last through children, pets, moves, and so forth. You are guaranteed a better quality of goods when you purchase American-made furniture.

Improved Economy

When purchasing American-made pieces, you are putting money back into the American economy. Purchasing American-made products will return funds back into the American economy, positively impacting the economy by keeping the money within the US economy.

Positive Working Conditions

A lot of countries have poor labor regulations and purchasing goods from those countries supports those working condition. If you’re purchasing American-made products, you’re supporting fair working conditions, safe working conditions, and child labor laws.

Guaranteed Safe Products

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission creates standards that products need to meet in order to be deemed safe for consumers. If you’re purchasing American-made products, you’re purchasing safe products that meet those consumer protections laws.

Our products are created with unmatched attention to craftsmanship so they can add beauty to your home as well as being highly functional. Made in Lancaster County, PA, we hope that you’ll purchase your American-made products from Carriage House Furnishings.

 

Wood Furniture Cleaning Tips that Work

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Have you turned into a dusting fiend trying to protect all of your beautiful wood furniture? Well, that’s the case for most trying to keep natural air pollutants from forming a grimy layer on the surfaces in their homes.

We know first-hand from working with our own bespoken wood furniture that nobody likes a build-up of dust on their treasured items. This is why protecting them from the elements is important to maintaining their longevity. Wood Furniture Cleaning Tips that Work

We have a few wood furniture cleaning tips for you that will keep your furniture looking as good as new!

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Control The Environment

To avoid cracks and splits in wood panels, keep the indoor humidity levels between 35% and 45%. Avoid placing furniture in direct sunlight or near other heat sources such as stoves or radiators. Never store furniture in an attic or damp basement.

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Cleaning Recommendations

Avoid dusting with a dry cloth, this may cause tiny scratches in the finish. Always use a soft damp cloth following the grain. If using a polish, avoid ones containing ammonia or silicon. Clean up spills immediately using warm soapy water.

 

Shaker vs. Mission Style Furniture

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When people attempt to define Amish furniture design, they are often unaware that this style includes two different furniture makes: shaker and mission furniture.

There are distinctive differences between the shaker and mission styles of furniture. Here we delve into the history behind each style. Shaker vs. Mission Style Furniture

A Look behind Shaker Design

The shaker movement was born in 1770s when followers of this religion settled into communities in the United States after leaving the Church of England. The shaker movement was characterized by quaking arm movements and express body gestures that summoned the energy of Jesus Christ.

Ornamentation was seen as immodest, and that is why the shaker style of furniture is very traditional in design. This style of furniture is often described as “gentle” because of the clean curves created in each piece. The most iconic piece that captured the shaker style was the shaker chair, made from lightweight wood like maple and pine. Pegs around the base of the chair were originally placed for function over style; the pegs helped keep the chair off the ground.

Features of Mission Style Furniture

Following the heels of the shaker movement was the arts and crafts movement. Mission style furniture arrived in the 19th century, when a yearning for hand-craftsmanship burned intensely and soothed anxieties over the coming of the new industrialization period. This style shattered rigid standards created by mechanization and allowed artisans to return to the simplicity of the craft.

Mission style furniture was characterized by rustic finishes, straight angles, with black and metal hardware, and derived from design elements inspired by the Spanish missions of California. This popular furniture style remained contemporary up until the 1930s when the art deco movement took over.

Carriage House Furnishings honors the bespoken styles of the shaker and mission movements with expertly crafted designs that are priceless to our customers and their loved ones. Browse our selection today!

Bespoken Nostalgia of the Holiday Season

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In a world made for ephemera, we often lose the tenderness that makes the gift-giving season truly special. In selecting the perfect present to give someone at the holidays, we choose to create lasting memories that our children will carry with them beyond adolescence.

Create memories with handcrafted, bespoken toys this holiday that your child will be able to hold onto for years. Here are a few of our favorites.

Rocking Horses Bespoken Nostalgia for the Holiday Season

This classic children’s toy goes by many names. You’ve probably heard hobby horse or barrel horse a few times. When wood craftsmen introduced to the world the bow rocker, the rocking horse appeared. During the 17th century the rocking horse was constructed top heavy, and so the momentum swing mechanism wasn’t yet refined. In the later Victorian era, horses were often constructed as hollow heads and were used as storage. After America fell on hard times during the Great Depression, very few craftsmen continued rocking horse production. There exists today, however, a few companies that have restored interest in these nostalgic works of beauty.

Wagons

The toy wagon wasn’t introduced until the 1880s, and they were first constructed completely of wood. Over the decade their production included steel and plastic. After World War II, wagon production reached a halt as steel was rationed only for war purposes. A toy of European-crafted origin, the children’s wagon hit toy stores in a bright, fire engine red color, is still a popular toy sold around the holiday season, admired for its utility and design.

Our solid oak toys, furniture, and other home items are crafted with exquisite detail and care so that they can be passed down for generations and generations as family heirlooms and thought pieces. Take a look at our selection here at Carriage House Furnishings.

Large Purchases Worth Considering

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Carriage House FurnishingsIt is no secret that owning a home is expensive. So many different costs come up on a yearly basis that you don’t expect and maintaining your home can start to add up. If you’re working on furnishing your home, it can be tempting to go with cheaper furniture options when you feel like you need “one of everything.”

If you purchase a well-made, solid piece of furniture, you are making an investment in your home and your future.

If you pay a little more up front, you won’t have to replace the item in a couple of years, and you can pass the furniture down to your kids someday. Here are some items you should consider investing in.

Reliable

You spend every day getting into your bed at night which means you should definitely invest in a bed that is going to last long-term. Our hickory queen bed set is a bit of an investment, but will serve you well over the coming years. It is tougher than nails and versatile too!

Reliable Desk

Even if you don’t work from home, having a desk at home is simply convenient. If your children have a long night of homework ahead of them or if you have to catch up on paying some bills, a desk provides a great space to take care of those things without cluttering the dining room table. An Eshton Oak Desk will stand up to piles of paperwork for decades to come.

Reliable Jewelry Armoire

If you are someone that loves to accessorize, investing in a jewelry armoire is a must. Purchasing one is an investment in your jewelry because it is built to specifically protect and preserve special pieces. To prevent heirloom pieces tarnishing or losing their luster overtime, protect them with a jewelry armoire.

At Carriage House Furnishings our products are designed and solid wood constructed to add beauty to your home while being highly functional at the same time. This type of craftsmanship is from another era – when furniture was built to be attractive, affordable, and sturdy for years to come.

Keeping Your Kitchen Island Organized

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Keeping Your Kitchen Island OrganizedIf you’re like the majority of busy people, your kitchen island is probably a “catch-all” for an assortment of different things. However, a clean kitchen island can really make your kitchen feel bright and organized.

We have a variety of tips on how you can keep your kitchen island organized and remain in control of your home’s overall appearance.

Take Inventory

The first step towards a clean kitchen island is figuring out what exactly gets set on it throughout the week. If you typically find mail, keys, pens, and bags, figure out where those things actually belong in your kitchen. For example, pens probably go into some type of holder, mail goes onto a desk, and bags should hang on a hook.

There is a good chance that a few of the items that end up on your island don’t have a real place. If that’s the case, create one. If your purse is always ending up on the island, create a place for it to hang in the entrance of your home where it can be nestled away. It may take some time to get used to this new storage spot, but if you make the room for it, you’ll quickly fall into that habit!

Junk Bowl

Undoubtedly, there are some items that that simply don’t belong anywhere, such as quarters, paper clips and other little things that you’ll eventually need but can’t really create a specific space for. Pick out a pretty bowl and designate it as the “junk bowl” on your kitchen island. This method works well for people who still need a spot to toss their keys to keep track of them! Commit going through the every week or two and putting some items where they belong.

Vertical Storage

You might be cramped for space in your kitchen which is how so much ends up going on your island. When you’re lacking counter space, it’s time to starting thinking about vertical storage options. Consider mounting small shelves onto your backsplash to hold your spices, teas, and other small items. Use hooks to hang cooking utensils above the stove right where you need them!

If you’re looking to update your kitchen island, view Carriage House Furnishings beautiful, hand-crafted islands.

History of the Pie Safe

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History of the Pie Safe Way back in the 1800s, there were a lot of German immigrants that started moving to America. And in addition to bringing all of their customs and traditions along with them, Germans also brought a very important piece of furniture that quickly turned into an essential item in many kitchens.

The pie safe, also known as a pie cabinet, played an integral role in the early American kitchen and is still being made today.

Pie safes served two main roles when incorporated into a kitchen. First, they were a piece of furniture that could be used to store pies and other baked goods once they cooled off after coming out of the oven. Remember, back in the 1800s, there weren’t as many storage solutions for baked goods as there are today. So pie safes helped to keep baked goods cool and to prevent mold growth on them. They also played another role and that was to keep rodents, insects, and other pests away from the baked goods. Without pie safes, those living in the 1800s would have had a difficult time keeping their baked goods around for very long.

Since first being introduced, pie safes have evolved quite a bit. The earliest pie safes were often as large as bureaus, and they were made out of solid wood. They usually had very deep shelving, and they had tin doors on the front of them with holes punched out to allow for ventilation. But since then, pie safes have changed, and the designs that are used on them are different. While early American pie safes were relatively simple, the pie safes you’ll find today feature things like glass and copper doors. They are also used for more than just baked goods, as today’s pie safes can be placed into any kitchen, hallway, or mudroom and used as storage.

Would you like to purchase a beautiful pie safe for your home? Carriage House Furnishings has plenty of pie safe options. Check out what we have in stock or call us at 717-768-8712 today to order one for yourself.