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3 Amish Country Furniture-Makers
This article highlights three distinct furniture-makers in Ohio's Amish Country, each offering a unique approach to furniture creation, from traditional handcraftsmanship to modern, customizable designs and sustainable repurposed pieces. The featured businesses are The Colonial Homestead, Homestead Furniture, and The Oak Barrel Co., all contributing to the diverse furniture landscape of the region.
The Colonial Homestead, located in Millersburg, is owned by Dan E. Raber, who specializes in building custom furniture entirely by hand, without the use of electric power tools. His dedication to traditional methods extends to using non-toxic milk paint for finishing, a practice that has been around for centuries. Raber's expertise is particularly evident in his Windsor chairs, which he can complete in approximately three and a half hours, with half of that time dedicated to the meticulous paint finishing. Beyond selling furniture, The Colonial Homestead also offers workshops on skills like tool sharpening and traditional painting techniques, and even provides DIY chair and bench kits for customers to assemble with guidance. Raber emphasizes the satisfaction and economy of creating things oneself, aiming to equip customers with the knowledge to make responsible choices and appreciate handmade options over mass-produced goods.
Homestead Furniture in Mount Hope presents a different facet of Amish Country furniture, focusing on trend-forward, customizable pieces for entire homes. Despite its location, the store offers a three-story showroom featuring a wide range of styles, from mid-century dining tables to contemporary bedroom sets. A significant advantage is that most pieces are built on-site in their 45,000-square-foot factory, allowing for extensive customization. Customers can modify dimensions, add features, and choose from over 3,000 different wood finishes. To navigate these extensive options, Homestead Furniture employs design consultants who assist clients in making informed decorating and furnishing decisions, ensuring the final products reflect both their needs and personal style. The company prioritizes durable finishes and casual, clean-lined designs that cater to the increasing use of homes and furniture, setting itself apart with high-quality goods and the ability to customize without compromise.
The Oak Barrel Co. in Berlin, owned by Chris Deffenbaugh, champions sustainability and creative repurposing. The company specializes in rustic furniture and home decor items made from reclaimed wine and bourbon barrels, along with other found objects. Deffenbaugh's philosophy is to reclaim, reuse, and re-create, transforming discarded items into functional and unique pieces. Examples include old scales repurposed into cocktail bars and pianos into coffee tables. A signature piece is a large oak barrel that opens to reveal a wine cabinet, retaining the scent of the wine it once held. Deffenbaugh, who is self-taught, began his craft over two decades ago and has since grown his business, selling his creations at art fairs and wine shops before establishing his Holmes County storefront. The location in Berlin attracts a significant number of tourists, including wine and alcohol enthusiasts and those interested in rustic decor. Deffenbaugh remains committed to his original mission of sustainable design, emphasizing the importance of making a difference through his work.
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