A New Hutch Is Clutch for Organizing the Kitchen

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A kitchen hutch can be an excellent addition to the kitchen. It’s not just a typical cabinet. While it offers extra space to keep your excess items, many of your personal effects will be on display for all to see. That can be an excellent way to show off your fine china or a great place to store some of your kitchen themed décor items while also adding extra space for those pots, pans and extra kitchen appliances you rarely use. If you’ve been thinking about organizing your kitchen, adding a hutch can be the perfect option.

Kitchen HutchThe primary goal of a kitchen hutch is storage. It is a great way to pack away some of your extras and still maintain a homey feel to your kitchen space. We offer both two- and three-door kitchen hutches in a wide variety of wood options, allowing you to pick the color and style that best meets your space. Best of all, our durable and reliably Amish-constructed hutches are more affordable than you might think, with prices as low as $760.

One of our main recommendations when using a kitchen hutch is to stick to a theme. This could be a color, whether it’s the paint shade or a specific wood grain. You could also create a theme entirely within the display case portion, whether you’re putting on an elegant display of your china or collection of drinking glasses. However you approach it, it’s important to use the glass panes in the kitchen hutch to your advantage.

A hutch is more than just storage; it’s also an opportunity to decorate and make your kitchen feel more like home. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of display and storage, a kitchen hutch from Carriage House Furnishings is the ideal addition to your space! Come down to our location in Ronks and look at our variety of options in the store or call us with any specific questions today at 717-768-8712!

Get Away to an Island – a Kitchen Island!

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In a world driven by HGTV binging, we know that people love to redo their kitchens. However, sometimes a full remodel just isn’t in your budget. If your kitchen desperately needs counter space, what should you do?

We have a solution! Adding a kitchen island is a great way to add counter space without completely blowing your budget out of the water. Our moderately priced kitchen islands range from $460 up to $2,990, and we have a wide variety of kitchen island options to suit every style and need.

Mission Kitchen Island When choosing a kitchen island, it is important to remember what your needs are. Your kitchen island should be proportional to the size of your kitchen and fit the flow of traffic. If you are pursuing a traditional island look (instead of a peninsula), then you should make sure that there is enough room on both sides of the island. You will also need to determine what the goal of the island is. Do you just need preparation space or will you need additional seating and serving space? If you’re looking to make your island offer more of a breakfast dining area, our mission island with a cherry finish and butcher block top is perfect. It also comes with four stools so you will not have to spend time trying to match finishes.

You can also add a smaller island with extra storage, giving you a place to stash extra pots and pans or small appliances when not in use. Whether you prefer the rustic appeal of the antique white and rich tobacco finished island or the charming natural hickory to match with your existing cabinets or fixtures, you’ll find plenty of different options when you shop with Carriage House Furnishings.

If you are in need of more preparation space in your kitchen, don’t wait – stop down and shop the selection at Carriage House Furnishings. Take a look at our kitchen island options for yourself and decide on which will be best for your kitchen. Come see us today at the former Lapps Coach Shop in Ronks, or call us today at 717-768-8712 to learn more.

A Brief History of Rocking – Rocking Chairs, That Is!

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Whether used indoors or outdoors, rocking chairs are popular, familiar pieces of furniture for all sorts of occasions. But where did these much-desired chairs first get their start?

Rocking Chairs According to One Kings Lane, rocking furniture has been around since as far back as 1710, appearing as a common term in the Oxford Dictionary in 1787. Rocking chairs were typically used back then for mothers and babies in nurseries or for the elderly and invalids in hospitals and mental facilities.

Rocking cradles were used in Europe before the Middle Ages, according to Van Dyke’s Restorers in Missouri, and rocking horses were popularized during the Victorian era, but rocking chairs originated in America and were advanced by the American Shakers, a group that created some of the best chairs on the market. Many credit Benjamin Franklin with the actual invention of the chair in 1710, while others credit farmers and early cabinetmakers.

Outdoor rocking chairs first appeared in 1725 in various styles, ranging from the Windsor rocker to the Boston rocker and bentwood rocker. A HubPages article about the history of the rocking chair claims the Windsor rocking chair originated in Windsor, England, and had a hoop-shaped back, spindles that gave it a birdcage-like look and a comb-shaped headrest. The Boston rocking chair, by contrast, was made in New England in the 1840s and became the first mass-produced rocking chair. Michael Thonet created the first bentwood rocking chair around 1860. This style was created using steamed wood, which allowed the chair to be bent into unique shapes.

Not only are rocking chairs comfortable and stylish, they can also provide some tangible benefits to the body and mind. Research studies have outlined therapeutic benefits of rocking, including improved balance, greater relaxation, relief of arthritis pain, ease of depression and anxiety symptoms and more.

Looking for a beautiful, sturdy rocking chair? Carriage House Furnishings provides many different options and styles of rocking chairs created from high-quality wood and made by hand by Amish craftsmen. Choose from chairs made of ash, oak, hickory or maple and in your choice of traditional rocking or gliders styles. Take a look at the entire selection of Carriage House Furnishings’ rocking chairs and gliders and order yours today, or stop in and see us and try a chair out in person at our store in the former Lapps Coach Shop in Intercourse, Pennsylvania.

Keeping Children Safe: Securing Your Home Furniture

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A startling video was released recently that has been going viral. It can be hard to watch for parents out there, but it presents us with a fantastic lesson.

In the video, which was captured by a family’s security system, two twin brothers are playing while climbing on a large dresser. It is all fun and games until a moment of horror occurs when the dresser suddenly starts to tip over. The dresser, which is unsecured, falls onto one of the boys. Luckily, the other boy is able to push the dresser off his brother and both boys escaped unscathed.

But what was the real issue here and how could this have been avoided? At the core, the concern here revolves around the risks that unsecured furniture can pose, and the solution is making sure that every piece of heavy furniture is carefully anchored and secured to the wall. As CNN reports, the dresser is believed to be an IKEA model, which included anchoring fixtures to prevent just such an occurrence from happening. Let’s look at the best ways to make sure that dressers and other heavy furniture items stay securely in place.

Secure Your Furniture With Hooks, Brackets or Zip Ties

The best way to secure your furniture to the wall is to use hardware, such as hooks or brackets. You can pick up what you need at just about any hardware store.

One of the simplest solutions to consider is using L-hooks to do the job. As Life As Mom notes, they are a piece of cake to install. First, measure the height of your furniture and make a mark against the wall. Then, screw the hooks into the wall and then into the top of the dresser or bookcase so that it won’t move no matter how much you budge or nudge it.

There are many other types of hooks you can use as well. Quakehold and other manufacturers offer steel furniture cables that secure even the heaviest of furniture items, as The Sweethome says. It’s important to be sure to find a stud within the wall, however, as simply drilling into drywall will not provide sufficient support.

A final option is to use a zip tie system to keep your furniture in place. These systems have been around for a long time and have been trusted by many to keep furniture and its owners safe. They work in a similar way to the hook system, but are simpler to install and remove, which makes them a fast and easy solution.

Keeping your furniture in place is vital to preventing injuries to playful and curious children. Of course, you also need to have effective storage for your kids clothes and other belongings, as well. If you’re looking for high-quality furniture, then shop from Carriage House Furnishings. Every piece of furniture in our inventory is sturdy, durable and gorgeous to look, and the excellent Amish craftsmanship means that you can trust it will last the test of time. Come by our showroom in Ronks, Pennsylvania today or call us 717-768-8712 to learn more.

Resolve to Get More Organized in 2017

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Happy New Year! 2017 is upon us, and that means it’s time to pick a new resolution. A common new year’s resolution is to remove the clutter and organize the home. At Carriage House Furnishings, we can assist you in your quest to resolve your cluttered issues in a variety of different ways.

Jewelry ArmoireJewelry Chests

Carriage House offers a variety of jewelry chests in oak and cherry woods. Each can hold a vast inventory of your personal earrings, rings, necklaces and more. Plus, with these solid woods and high-quality craftsmanship, you can rest assured that these chests will stand the test of time.

Storage Chests

Similar to the jewelry chests, our storage chests are made of a variety of different woods, including cherry, oak, cedar and maple, just to name a few. If you have small children, these are perfect to tidy up the kids’ toys. If you are looking to store blankets, these chests are perfect for that as well. And just like the jewelry chests, these are durable chests that will last a long time.

Bookcases

Carriage House Furnishings offers a variety of different Amish-built bookcases, too, that are perfect to store your collection of great reads. We also offer a great selection to match anyone’s different tastes. Some of our bookcases feature glass doors, while others have wooden doors or no doors at all. If you are looking to organize books, magazines or mementos, these bookcases are perfect to satisfy your needs!

Corner Cabinets

Corner cabinets are a great storage option for many homes. Easily placed into the corner of any room, they can add extra storage while taking up a small amount of space. A wonderful addition to any room, whether your living room storage or as a new spice rack in the kitchen, corner cabinets are a great space saver. Available in an array of finishes and wood styles, you’re sure to find an attractive and useful option for your home.

Carriage House Furnishings offers a full selection of Amish-made wood furniture for sale at our location in Ronks, Pennsylvania, in the former Lapps Coach Shop. Stop in and shop our full selection of home furnishings today or call us at 717-768-8712 to learn more.

Classic Amish Toys and Furniture Make Great Gifts

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Wooden GiftsAs you walk down the aisle of a big box store you will notice the same plastic, disposable toys year after year. Unlike in times before, toys don’t seem to be made to last these days. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt, it isn’t very likely that you will see your holiday gift survive into the next gift giving season. So, why not make a switch this season and invest in a gift that will both delight children AND last for generations?

At Carriage House Furnishings, our classic Amish toys and furniture are constructed from solid wood by a craftsman, not a machine. Each piece is created with care and represents a much simpler era. You will find many different holiday gifts for both boys and girls at Carriage House Furnishings.

3-in-1 Combo Rocking Horse/Chair/Desk

Kids love things that transform. That’s why our craftsmen created a wooden masterpiece that starts as highchair, but can be changed into a rocking horse or desk as if by magic! Both boys and girls will be delighted to see their chair quickly turn into a toy where they can pretend to be riding a horse out in the open range, or to be working diligently at their desk to do their homework or crafting activity. As the child gets older, she or he can use the toy as a doll accessory or hold on to it for kids of their own in the future.

Wooden Doll Accessories

Dolls are thought to teach children many skills, including cognitive, fine motor and self-help skills. Plus, kids love to play with dolls! There is nothing more exciting for a young child than to receive a beautiful accessory for their much-beloved doll. Carriage House Furnishings offers a wide array of furniture for dolls, including a deluxe wardrobe, bed, chest, high chair and more! Each piece will expand a child’s imagination and may even help the child learn a new skill. Plus, these sturdy pieces can be passed down for generations.

Folding Barn with Animals

Perfect for both little boys and girls who love farm animals, Carriage House Furnishing’s Folding Barn has hinges that open to reveal a hidden scene with wooden animals inside. Removable wooden fences can be arranged according to your child’s imagination and animals can be moved into animation. This sturdy toy will not only instantly bring joy to a child’s face when he or she sees it, but it will definitely survive many years of fun and play. It’s a great way to add more fun to your child’s favorite doll playtime, especially if paired with the Folding Doll House for the matching humans at the farm to live!

No matter which wooden Amish gift you fancy, you can be sure that once you see its holiday gift success you will be coming back to Carriage House Furnishings for more! Stop in today at our location at the former Lapps Coach Shop in Ronks, Pennsylvania and see our full selection of expertly crafted doll furniture, rocking horses and other children’s play items or shop conveniently online now.

Make Your Dining Room More Inviting for the Holidays

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You want your guests during the holiday season to feel warm, comfortable and welcome while gathered around your table. If you’re looking to add some extra space or upgrade your dining room’s look, Carriage House Furnishings can help you make your dining room a more inviting space that ensures your guests feel at home.

Black and Walnut Dining Room HutchIf the kitchen is the heart of the home, then a good table is the heart and soul of the party. The Solid Top Westin Table from Carriage House Furnishings is the perfect piece for your dining room. This table is large enough to give everyone plenty of room while the optional bench seating can make the table feel more cozy and welcoming. The cappuccino finish makes the wood look both elegant and rustic. Simply add a festive centerpiece and some seasonal kitchenware, and your dining room is ready for the holiday season.

A three-door hickory hutch is the perfect addition to a classic country dining space that also provides storage space for all of your good plates and serving dishes you need during the holiday season. Available in your choice of black and walnut or hickory finishes, each hutch features glass doors that allow you to show off your favorite bowls and plates all throughout the year, as well.

Of course, the holiday meal also involved a lot of time in the kitchen, and whether your guests are keeping you company or you’re looking for more space to finish all your preparations, an island can be an exceptionally versatile addition. The French Country Kitchen Island offers a beautifully distressed look, but is a sturdy option to add additional counter space and additional kitchen seating. Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee or setting out appetizers for guests to snack on, the French Country Kitchen Island is a functional and attractive addition to your space. You’ll wonder how you managed without it for so long!

This holiday season, create an inviting space where you and your loved ones can make memories for years to come with Carriage House Furnishings. Stop down and see our full kitchen and dining room furniture selection at the store in the former Lapps Coach Shop in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, or shop our inventory online now. To learn more or to check on the availability of any item, call us today at 717-768-8712.

Curl Up With a Good Book: The Benefits of Reading

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With the weather getting colder, more and more people are starting to move inside. But what should you do with your newfound spare time? At Carriage House Furnishings, we think that there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book.

Reading has been proven to relieve stress. Books distract the mind and provide a low-cost escape. With a temporary pass from reality, it’s hard not to find the appeal of transporting yourself into another world, especially when it’s blustery, snowy and cold outside. We think that Jojen Reed in “A Dance With Dragons” – the fifth “Game of Thrones” novel by George R. R. Martin – was able to quote this phenomenon the best:

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”

It has also been proven that those who read have an enhanced vocabulary and higher intelligence rate. The more you read, the easier it is to keep your mind sharp. Novels contain words that are not used in everyday conversation, and can provide a depth to your interactions and your lexicon. It will be easier to find the words that you need to describe a particular emotion, feeling or idea, which can in turn lead to a better memory and better writing skills.

Stronger focus and concentration is another beneficial side effect of reading. If you are in the throes of a great story, it’s a hard thing to put down. Our world is filled with multitasking and divided attentions, so sometimes it’s nice to just shut things out and only focus on one thing at a time. Plus, taking this time out of your day can lead to better focus in other areas of your life.

Reading can also lead to stronger problem-solving skills. Have you ever tried to figure out where a story is going or have you ever imagined where it could go? That’s analytical thinking. Discussing a book is a great way to develop critical thinking skills. Multiple viewpoints of the same storyline lead to great debate and plot analysis.

If you are a book aficionado, you will need a place to store all of your great written adventures. At Carriage House Furnishings, we have a wide variety of Amish-built bookshelves that are the perfect place to store your favorite novels. We are sure to have a bookshelf that will meet your needs. Shop our selection of bookcases online now or come down and see us in Ronks, Pennsylvania in the former Lapps Coach Shop. Learn more by calling us today at 717-768-8712.

Rock and Relax this Autumn

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Rocking Chair The leaves are gently falling from the trees as autumn briskly slides into winter. You are outside on the porch drinking in the crisp and chilly air with a warm beverage and book in hand. This time of year is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors whether you live in the country, city or suburbs, but those cool fall evenings on the porch are not quite the same when you are sitting on a hard, plastic chair purchased from your local big box retailer. Instead, why not breathe in the changing of the seasons as they are meant to be enjoyed – in a comfortable Amish rocker or glider.

At Carriage House Furnishings you will find the very best selections in outdoor Amish furniture, so you can relax on your porch or patio in comfort. For a classic addition to your outdoor furniture set, brighten up your porch with the ash lumbar rocker in green. At an affordable price, you can buy a set to cover seating for the whole family – including the kids! Carriage House Furnishings’ child’s bowback rocker is sized for the little ones and will look great with any of your other Amish outdoor furniture purchases.

If your preferred furniture style is more rustic, check out the Amish-made hickory swivel glider with available gliding ottoman. This comfy chair features a wide-back cushion displaying a picturesque mountain scene and offering added comfort to your glider. Complete your look with a pair of matching high back hickory rockers! With a porch full of comfortable Amish rockers and gliders, you, your family and your guests will sit comfortably all season long.

Each rocker and glider from Carriage House Furnishing is designed and constructed with only the highest quality of natural hardwood, and handcrafted to be both highly functional and beautiful. No matter which you choose, you will be happy with sturdy and comfortable furniture from Carriage House Furnishings that will last you for years to come.

Shop now online, call Carriage House Furnishings at 717-768-8712 for more information on the best rocker or glider for you or stop in and see us at the former Lapps Coach Shop in Intercourse, Pennsylvania today.

Protect Your Valuables in Style

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It’s nice to have pretty things, but it’s almost just as nice to have something pretty to store them in! That’s why Carriage House Furnishings has a whole line of jewelry chests and armoires that are created by hand with beauty and function in mind, and are perfect for protecting your valuables. Take a look at some these delightful pieces that are perfect for storing your favorite pieces of jewelry.

Cherry Dressing Table

Our cherry dressing table gives any room a grand feel, and functions as a writing desk, jewelry storage area and vanity table all in one. Perfect for putting on your make up and jewelry in the morning, or penning a quick thank you note, this dressing table is a great addition to any room. This table would also make a wonderful gift to a young lady, since it can grow and adapt with her to suit any need. It’s also available in an oak finish for those who prefer a lighter colored wood.

Jewelry ArmoireJewelry Armoires

For women with lots of special jewelry pieces to store, we have jewelry armoires in a number of finishes and styles, including our cherry jewelry armoire, cherry shaker jewelry armoire, oak jewelry armoire with provincial finish and oak shaker jewelry armoire.

Each of these jewelry armoires feature storages areas that are perfect for keeping all kinds of jewelry, from the side doors with hooks for your long necklaces, to the drawers for watches and chunky bracelets, to the ring holders at the top. The shaker styles are a little bit more modern and casual, and would meld with lots of styles. The cherry and oak with provincial finish styles provide a classical look that is sure to be popular for many generations to come, and can mix well with other antique furniture or be paired with modern items to create a blended contemporary look.

Jewelry Chests

For those extra special pieces, Carriage House Furnishings also offers a number of small jewelry chests. Our cherry jewelry chest with grapes features a beautiful cherry finish and a classic carving of grapes on the top. Similarly, our cherry jewelry chest with roses features that same classic cherry finish, but has roses on the lid instead, and is also available in an oak finish. Both of these pieces are handcrafted with function and style in mind, and will store your jewelry safely and neatly with a number of hooks, drawers, pockets and compartments.

For more information on the handmade goods from Carriage House Furnishings, or for questions about ordering pieces today, give us a call at 717-768-8712 or stop in and see us on West Newport Road in Ronks today.

Draw Local Birds this Fall and Winter with a Birdhouse

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Birdhouses are a perfect way to provide a safe place for birds that do not migrate during the colder fall and winter months. In addition to being functional, birdhouses can also be aesthetically pleasing, adding a unique quality to your yard.

At Carriage House Furnishings, we have many birdhouses available that are both pretty and practical. These birdhouses are also sure to be conversational pieces when welcoming guests outside your home.

Bird Feeder with Copper RoofOne such option Carriage House Furnishings offers is the large bird feeder with copper roof. This painted birdhouse is made with weather-resistant wood and is topped with a copper-roof. This birdhouse is easy to refill, and is sure to be a great draw for local birds in all four seasons.

If you’re looking to give birds a new nesting place, our low-roof Martin house is constructed from white painted wood and also features a copper top. Made in a style to match the bird feeder above, adding this birdhouse to your yard will give birds not only a place to rest, but also a spot to snack, enticing birds to choose your yard as a favorite place to stay.

When choosing a birdhouse for your home, you aren’t simply looking to buy something that will look nice in your yard – although these options certainly will! You are also buying something that will be functional and appealing to birds, making your yard place to be!

Carriage House Furnishings features the best in Amish-made furniture and fixtures, all designed to add beauty to your home, while at the same time being highly functional and reliable thanks to the solid wood construction of each piece. Amish furniture is widely known for its appearance, durability and quality, and when you buy from Carriage House Furnishings, it will be easy to see why.

Check out these birdhouses and feeders for yourself by stopping into our showroom in the former Lapps Coach Shop location in Intercourse, or call us today at 717-768-8712.

Help Your Child Stay Organized this Fall

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The back-to-school season is in full swing, which means your home may be in a bit of chaos. Until things settle down, you may feel overwhelmed with all of the new schedules you need to juggle, and the new activities your kids have going on. But, here at Carriage House Furnishings, we think the fall is a great time to help keep your child reorganized and refocused, and several of the items we offer can help you make sure your home and your kids stay organized this fall.

The best way to keep your child organized is to make sure he or she frequently goes through their toys, and donates what they don’t want to play with anymore or that are broken. Throwing away items that can’t be repaired or sending things that your kids aren’t interested in anymore to your local thrift shop or charity donation bin can help keep the toy collection organized and under control. The fall is a perfect time to do this kind of clearing out, reminding your kids that the holidays are coming up which means they’ll need to make room for any new toys they may receive and give ones they don’t use a chance to find new life with another family.

Maple Toy ChestTo help keep things looking neat and clean in the playroom, check out Carriage House Furnishings’ maple toy chest. This sturdy chest gives your kids a spot to store all of their toys, and will keep the playroom or living room looking neat and tidy. You can also request a sports scene option that adds a distinct look that makes this chest a perfect place to store shoes, gloves, footballs, soccer balls or anything else for outdoor sports by the door.

Another way to keep your kids focused and energized this fall is to provide them with a dedicated spot to do their homework. Our hickory child’s table and chair set or our child’s oak table and two chairs are perfect options for this purpose. If your kids are always working on their homework in the same place, they’ll never misplace their books or miss an assignment. Plus, if your child colors outside the lines a bit, the finish offers a layer of protection to make cleaning off stray crayon or marker lines a breeze.

Keeping your kids and your home organized this fall is all about consistency, strategy, and having fun when you can! Help them out with these and other great organizational items available at Carriage House Furnishings. To learn more, stop in and see us at the former Lapps Coach Shop in Ronks, or give us a call today at 717-768-8712.