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Amish Furniture

The Amish people have a very simple life philosophy; it could be called conservative, though that would be somewhat of an understatement. They stick with what works, and do not embrace change. Again, this is not making the point forcefully enough. Some of the “changes” Amish have not embraced are insurance, modern medicine, and electricity. To many in the modern world, eschewing technology to this degree seems absurd. To the Amish however it smacks of devotion.

You see, the Amish have been doing things the way that has worked for centuries. While sometimes less efficient than modern life, Amish have managed to maintain a level of quality in their lives that we seem to have lost in the intervening years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Amish furniture.

You see, many people will lament that “they don’t make things the way they used to” and that is actually true. Products are not designed with a life cycle in mind: they are built to be replaced around X amount of time from their purchase. What that amount is differs with the product; computers have notoriously short life cycles for instance.  However even your kitchen table and your living room set have a life cycle that someone decided was “good enough” to ensure that you kept the furniture company in business by buying more someday. Amish furniture on the other hand is built to last.

Not to last until ten years from now, or twenty. To last until something catastrophic like a fire or a flood takes it out. Amish furniture is built to outlast you, the owner. Why should that matter? Well for one, it was the way things used to be made. For another, furniture that is high enough quality for you to will to your descendants is a valuable commodity.

Whether you’re looking at office furniture, a bed, a dresser, kitchen table, or even patio furniture; when you see Amish furniture you will see dedication the likes of which you just won’t find elsewhere today. Their furniture is also designed with simplicity and functionality in mind.

The Amish are religiously opposed to showmanship or drawing attention to themselves. This philosophy is the foundation of everything they do. Whether it’s sewing a quilt or building a barn, they toil to make products that are useful but not showy. The result is quality furniture that ironically make a bold statement by not trying to make a statement.

In today’s superficially showy culture, it’s impressive how impactful simply refusing to play along can be. The traditional, simple lines of Amish furniture will impress your friends and relatives, all while trying to do none of those things. That is part of the beauty of Amish furniture; it can excel without trying to. The principles of form and function are at their best here; and how we ever strayed from them is beyond me.

 

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