Amish Wood Selection
AMISHMaple: Maple wood, mainly brown maple, is known for its durability and versatility. It features a tight grain pattern with occasional streaks of darker brown, lending a warm and inviting look to the furniture. Brown maple is used for its ability to take stains well, allowing for a wide range of finishes from light to dark.
Oak: Oak is a classic choice for Amish furniture, prized for its strength and durability. It features prominent grain patterns and a warm, golden-brown color that deepens over time. Oak is often used in traditional and rustic-style furniture, adding a timeless charm.
Quarter Sawn Oak: Quarter-sawn oak is cut to reveal the wood’s medullary rays, creating a distinctive “tiger stripe” or “fleck” pattern. This cutting method enhances the wood’s stability and durability while showcasing its unique grain pattern. Quarter-sawn oak is often used in mission-style and Arts and Crafts furniture.
Elm: Elmwood is characterized by its interlocking grain pattern and warm, reddish-brown color. It is prized for its strength and resistance to decay, making it an excellent choice for furniture that needs to withstand heavy use. Elm is often used in rustic and country-style furniture for its natural beauty and durability.
Cherry: Cherry wood is highly valued for its rich color and smooth grain pattern. It ranges from light reddish-brown to deep, lustrous red and darkens with age and exposure to light. Cherry is known for its elegance and sophistication, often used in traditional and formal furniture designs.
Reclaimed Barnwood: Reclaimed barnwood is salvaged from old barns and buildings, giving it a weathered and rustic appearance. Each piece carries a unique history and character, with knots, nail holes, and other imperfections adding to its charm. It is often used in farmhouse-style furniture for its authentic, aged look.
Wormy Maple: Wormy maple, also known as ambrosia maple, features distinctive streaks and marks caused by ambrosia beetles. These beetles leave behind tunnels and stains as they burrow through the wood, creating unique patterns and colors. Wormy maple is prized for its rustic and character-filled appearance, often used in more casual or rustic furniture.
Hickory: Hickory is a dense and durable wood known for its strength and shock resistance. It features a prominent grain pattern with contrasting light and dark shades, ranging from creamy white to reddish-brown. Hickory is often used in rustic and country-style furniture for its natural beauty and resilience.
Walnut: Walnut wood is prized for its rich, dark brown color and straight grain pattern. It has a lavish appearance and a smooth texture, making it a popular choice for high-end furniture. For its natural elegance and timeless appeal, walnut is often used in fine woodworking.
Pine: Pine wood is known for its affordability, versatility, and rustic charm. It has a straight grain pattern with occasional knots and other natural markings, giving it a warm and inviting look. Pine is often used in farmhouse-style and country-style furniture for its casual and relaxed aesthetic.