Classic Shaker Furniture: Adding Warmth to Your Living Room

February 6, 2015February 6, 2015 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

If you are a lover of beautiful, elegantly styled Shaker furniture–you will love our Classic Shaker collection. Defined by it’s gentle curved legs, smooth edges and solid wood construction, any living room would benefit from the timeless appeal of this collection.

A Bit of History about the Shakers

Designed and built over 200 years ago by the American Shaker religious group, this simple but elegant furniture style has a truly timeless quality that makes sense for any home. Shaker furniture designs make the perfect complementary pieces for your traditional, transitional, rustic or modern living room. Shaker tables, chairs, buffets, china cabinets, beds, dressers and chests can be added to any decor to achieve the functionality you need while creating a stylish, comfortable look. Mix and match your shaker furniture with other styles for a more eclectic aesthetic.

While Shaker communities were once vibrant and thriving, there are now only 3 Shakers left. Brother Arnold Hadd and his two elderly sisters practice their faith at Sabbathday Lake’s Shaker Village in New Glouster Maine. It’s the worlds last active Shaker Community. This video of Brother Arnold describes the faith and the inspiration behind Shaker furniture design:

“That “classic” Shaker style is well represented here in strong, unassuming cupboards, tables, desks and chests of drawers; delicately crafted oval wooden nesting boxes; inviting, wide-mouthed wooden bowls; tightly woven rugs and baskets; and sprightly, no-nonsense ladder-back chairs. Made of chestnut, walnut, flame birch and bird’s-eye maple, these lightweight, sturdy chairs have rhythmically dynamic woven cane and checkerboard tape seats. They could be easily hung on wall pegs to allow for the ecstatic “shaking” dancing prayers for which the “Believers” became commonly known.”

Featured Pieces from the Classic Shaker Furniture Collection

1. Classic Shaker Oval Table: This oval coffee table makes the perfect base for your Classic Shaker styled living room. The curved legs and rounded top give it a soft, lightweight look while still maintaining its solid build. Made to order in Vermont, this piece can be crafted in Cherry, Maple, Oak or Walnut.

2. Classic Shaker Round End Table: This lightweight, rounded end table makes the perfect accent to your living room. It’s finely crafted with premium hardwoods, and built to last a lifetime.

3. Classic Shaker Sofa Table: Our tall, narrow Classic Shaker Sofa Table with Flare Legs is perfect for your living room, den or hallway. Add luxury, style and convenience to your upscale home with extra space to place gloves or display photos, vases or artwork.

All three of these finely crafted pieces are made to order in Vermont and are sure to add warmth and sophistication to your space. While we only highlighted three in this blog, we also have a variety of other pieces in the collection for different rooms in the home. Which piece is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section!

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This blog is written by your friends at Vermont Woods Studios. Check out our Vermont made furniture and home decor online and visit our showroom and art gallery at Stonehurst, the newly restored 1800s farmhouse nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains.

What is the Best Side Table Style: Traditional or Organic?

February 3, 2015August 15, 2018 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 02:29 pm

When it comes to decorating your living room, there are so many options to consider! Do you want your home to have an elegant, traditional feeling or are you looking for a more organic flare? Maybe a mix of both? With our Classic Shaker End Table, you get the best of classic furniture styling, and with our Live Edge Accent Table, you get a unique fusion of wood and metal making a eclectically stylish space. Here’s a brief rundown on both so you can make the best decision for your living room:

A) Classic Shaker End Table

Our handcrafted, solid wood Classic Shaker Side Table will add luxury and functionality to your shaker style living room, den, library or bedroom. It’s simplistic look makes it a great table to decorate around, and while it certainly has a presence, it won’t demand the attention of the room.

B) Tapped Vermont Maple Accent Table

If you love one-of-a-kind furniture then you will love our Tapped Vermont Maple Accent Side Table. Carefully selected and hand-made from Vermont Sugar Maples, these tables are crafted to preserve the natural beauty of the wood. The color varitations appearing in the center of the table top and radiate out showing decades of maple sap tapping. These details are further highlighted by the natural steel hairpin legs, which offer a beautiful contrast to the rustic appearance of the wood itself. With its smooth finish, live-edge style and unique imperfections, this accent side table provides a great conversation starter to any home, as well as a sliver of vermont history.

Both of these pieces are finely handcrafted in Vermont and made to order. Which of them is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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Hardwood Media Centers for your Next Super Bowl Party

February 1, 2015August 15, 2018 Kelsey Eaton

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 02:29 pm

Enjoy the Game in American Made Style with a Hardwood Media Center

Today’s the big day, the Super Bowl! While it might be too late to get a new hardwood media center for today’s game, browse our selection of beautiful Vermont made entertainment centers and find something perfect for your next big party or sports event. We have media centers in a variety of different styles, and you’re sure to find something to fit the aesthetic of your space. Whether you’re renovating your current family room or den, or planning out the living room of your new home–we’d love to help you find a style you can proudly show to your friends.

The 6 picks shown above are great media center choices, all made from local Vermont woodworkers! So grab an ice cold heady topper and have fun browsing this selection of real hardwood entertainment furniture:

1) Berkeley 8 Drawer Dresser with TV Organizer

Berkeley Hardwood Media Center — Enjoy the big game from bed with the Berkeley 8 Drawer dresser & TV organizer! This handmade TV stand has an American Craftsman style fused with modern Asian design. Customize online in your choice of wood color. Use the drop-down menu to see the choices for either natural cherry (no stain) or windsor cherry, autumn cherry, cognac cherry, saddle cherry or smoke cherry.

3) New York Contemporary TV Stand

Hardwood Media Centers — Our New York Contemporary TV Stand #3 is perfect for housing flat screen TV’s and all your other media equipment. It has a simple, modern design that will blend in perfectly in any contemporary living room.

4) Contemporary Craftsman 3-Drawer Media Console

Contemporary Craftsmen Solid Wood Media Center — Styled for the contemporary living space, the Contemporary Craftsman 3-Drawer Media Center features versatility as well as flair and elegance. Constructed from eco-friendly maple, cherry or maple hardwoods, our luxury room furniture is built to last for generations. This pieces is completely customizable to fit your furnishing needs.

5) Retractable Pop-Up TV Media Center

Retractable TV Media Center — Our Retractable, Flat Screen Pop-Up Media Center is the perfect storage solution for any room. Attach a Flat Screen TV up to 42″W to the hardware inside the media center and watch it rise automatically out of the entertainment center when you want to watch TV and then slowly descend back into it when you’re done! Your friends and family will be amazed!

6) Catalina Walnut TV and Media Center

Catalina Walnut TV & Media Center — The Catalina Walnut TV & Media Wall Unit is 3 piece set (1 center media unit and 2 tall narrow tower bookcases) handmade in Vermont of solid natural walnut wood. Customize online in large or small size and in natural walnut. Designed with versatile wire management openings in the back for easy access and configuration of your home entertainment equipment. Made to order using solid black walnut wood, this high end, TV & Media Wall Unit features modern, mid-century American design.

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Visit us at Stonehurst this Winter!

January 28, 2015 Kelsey Eaton 1 Comment

We are in the midst of winter here in Vermont– the ground is covered in a thick layer of snow and the air is crisp and clean. Despite the chilly weather, we have still enjoyed having guests stop by Stonehurst, warm up with us, and shop for new Vermont made wood furniture.

We believe that there is no better place to shop for Vermont wood furniture than in our showroom, nestled in the woods of Vernon, Vermont. All of our furniture comes from sustainably harvested forests, much like the one right in our backyard. Shopping at Stonehurst brings you closer to where your furniture really comes from. Visit us, and experience the beauty of Vermont wood, inside and out.

Unlike your traditional furniture shopping experience, at Stonehurst there is no need to rush. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine and a picnic lunch, and enjoy a relaxed country atmosphere while you get to know our furniture. Each member of our sales staff is an expert in Vermont wood, so even if you aren’t ready to purchase, we’d love for you to stop by and have a conversation with one of our friendly staff members and get to know more about Vermont Woods Studios.

At Stonehurst, we don’t have aisle after aisle of furniture. The pieces we carry at Stonehurst are just a representative sampling of the hundreds of pieces we offer on our online store. The pieces that we have in the showroom are a true reflection of the quality and craftsmanship that you can expect with all of our furniture.

So stop by, warm up, and browse our beautiful selection of wood furniture and Vermont made art and decor. We can’t wait to meet you!

Find directions to Stonehurst here.

Learn more about visiting Stonehurst here.

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Shaker Bedroom Furniture: 5 Must See Designs

January 22, 2015August 15, 2018 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 02:31 pm

Simple is beautiful, and for Shaker furniture– this is true down to the very last detail. Shaker furnishings are world renowned for their timeless simplicity and practicality. While only a few “real” Shakers remain today, their legacy for handcrafted furniture will live on forever. Their simplistic handiwork has become a standard for high quality American furniture craftsmanship and styling, making it a wonderful furniture choice for your bedroom.

Shaker bedroom furniture is elegant and understated, giving you the ability to change your decor throughout the years without having to buy new furniture. You can keep your room minimalist and uncluttered, keeping with traditional Shaker styling, or use your Shaker furniture to create a balance between your luxurious decor and your wood furniture.

Created for usability, Shaker bedroom furniture is exceptionally useful when it comes to storage. Beds are roomy and minimalist, dressers are spacious, and nightstands are solidly built for years of use and enjoyment. This furniture type is beautiful and totally practical.

The following 5 Shaker bedroom furniture pieces are staples of the Shaker styled bedroom. Solidly handcrafted by local Vermont woodworkers, these pieces are beautiful, usable, and built with the same integrity and quality of original Shaker furniture:

1. Vermont Shaker Moon Bed

The Vermont Shaker Moon Bed is one of our most popular beds, and it’s easy to understand why. Crafted with smooth, sweeping arches on the head and footboard, traditionally styled taper legs, and an overall simplistic look… this bed exemplifies the Shaker style bedroom. Keeping with Shaker tradition, this bed has a sturdy platform and there is no need for a box spring. It’s sleek, subtle, and built to last generations.

2. Modern Shaker Large Storage Chest

The Modern Shaker Storage Chest is a classicly styled piece, crafted with time honored design that captures the essence of authentic Shaker furniture styling. Clean lines, square corners, simple and graceful build…this chest exemplifies popular Shaker style. It’s a grand, sturdy piece created to give you maximum storage ability. With both large and small drawers, this piece gives you a variety of organization options. Crafted with real solid wood, this piece is one that you can proudly cherish forever.

3. New England Shaker 8/10-Drawer Dresser

Our solid Cherry, 10-Drawer New England Shaker Dresser is an elegant and subtle Shaker furniture piece. Featuring clean lines and simplistic drawer pulls, it could fit into any bedroom with ease. 10 spacious drawers give you maximum storage capabilities, to use on your own or if you are feeling generous, to share with your spouse. Finely handcrafted by Vermont woodworkers, this piece is a true must have for the Shaker bedroom furniture lover.

4. Shaker Tapered Leg Night Stand

The Shaker Tapered Leg Nightstand is another quintessentially Shaker styled piece. It’s ultra simplistic, featuring traditional tapered Shaker legs and a modest single drawer. It’s subtle design makes it a beautifully versatile piece for your Shaker inspired bedroom.

5. New England Shaker Armoire – Wardrobe

This New England Shaker Armoire is an elegant Shaker inspired wardrobe, crafted to be the perfect blend of beauty and utility. This piece features a traditional Shaker design that incorporates simple lines and elegant molding around the top and base of the piece. Perfect for adding extra storage space to any bedroom.

All of the Shaker bedroom pieces featured above are beautiful and highly functional, crafted with care in the Green Mountains of Vermont. All five pieces are beautiful representations of authentic Shaker furniture and would make a great addition to your home. Which piece would you love to add to your collection the most? Let us know in the comments section!

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4 Wooden Dressers that Add Style to Your Space

January 17, 2015August 15, 2018 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 02:31 pm

While dressers are usually thought of simply as storage items for your clothes, they can also be beautiful elements of style for your bedroom. Each wooden dresser has the ability to show off the style and character of your space and your home. The selection of wooden dressers presented in this blog are beautiful, eco-friendly, and made with real solid wood. I hope you love them as much as I do.

1. Contemporary Cable 9 Drawer Dresser

Our contemporary Cable 9 Drawer dresser is as roomy as it is sleek. It’s the perfect mix between masculine and feminine, making it a great choice for a shared master bedroom. The subtle wood and metal mixture give it a modest industrial feeling without being over the top. Our Contemporary Cable 9-Drawer Dresser features solid hardwood construction and traditional joinery. Dovetail drawers and metal drawer slides ensure durability and smooth operation. Unique cable pulls complement the Contemporary Cable Platform Bed. Low profile offers plenty of storage while still fitting below most window sills.

2. Astrid Maple Wooden Dresser

Our Astrid dresser by Copeland is an ultra modern, minimalist piece of furniture. It would make a great statement piece in the bedroom alongside more traditional furniture, or a wonderful complementary piece to your already modern bedroom. Astrid’s modern American design features deeply splayed legs producing dramatic, futuristic cantilevers. The Astrid Maple Bedroom Furniture Collection, named after a beautiful Scandinavian goddess, is an engineering feat that defies expectations and inspires a sense of possibility.

3. Modern Shaker 3-Drawer Dresser
Our Modern Shaker 3-Drawer dresser is simplistic and absolutely beautiful. The walnut wood gives it a sleek, modern feel while the Shaker construction keeps it nice and simple. This exceptional piece could fit with almost any decor style and is sturdily constructed to last for generations. Choose between a rounded or straight edge profile. All our Modern Shaker dressers are handcrafted to order in Vermont in your choice of solid cherry, maple, or walnut woods with a eco-friendly non-toxic oil finish that not only protects, but enhances the natural beauty of the wood.

4. Contemporary Craftsman 10 Drawer Dresser

Spacious, sturdy, and solidly crafted are words you could use to describe this beautiful Craftsman style dresser. Made in Cherry wood, this piece features unique walnut drawer pulls giving it an Asian-Craftsman fusion look. This solid wood Contemporary Craftsman 10-Drawer Dresser features floating panel sides with gentle arches. 10 roomy drawers make it the ultimate storage unit for your contemporary bedroom, on top of being a modestly stylish piece.

Which piece do you like the best? Let us know in the comments section or on Facebook!

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The American Shaker Panel Bed: A Customer Appreciation Photo

January 12, 2015August 15, 2018 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 02:31 pm

Admiring the American Shaker Panel Bed

We’d like to extend our appreciation to Linda T., for sending us this lovely appreciation photo. The photo shows her new American Shaker Panel Bed in Natural Cherry. It’s a classic bed for the contemporary bedroom, as it is elegant, simple, and very pretty. This handcrafted bed features sleek panels in the headboard and footboard that add a modern feel to this traditionally inspired Shaker bed. It also showcases gentle arches and simple tapered legs, a hallmark of Shaker furniture.

The American Shaker Panel Bed is handmade in Vermont using sustainably harvested wood. Each piece is custom crafted, made just for you. Beds ordered with the optional under-bed storage unit will include a vanity footboard that extends close to the floor to conceal the storage unit!

Do you have a photo of Vermont Woods Studios furniture in your home? We’d love to see it! Send your customer appreciation photos to info@vermontwoodsstudios.com and we will feature it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+!

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Nesting Tables: Uniquely Versatile Furniture

January 8, 2015January 18, 2017 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on January 18th, 2017 at 01:56 pm

The Beauty and Simplicity of Wooden Nesting Tables

Nesting tables are one of those unique furniture pieces that don’t get a lot of attention. Which is a shame, because they are quite versatile and chic. Nesting tables are wonderful not only because of their unique look, but they are great for homes with limited space. They allow you the versatility of having three separate tables while only taking up the space of one! You can bring them out during parties as floating tables for drinks, or even as a tray for food. Use them as bedside tables or end tables in your living room. The possibilities are endless with these magic little tables.

Some key characteristics of nesting tables that make them must have’s for the modern home:

1. Simplicity. No gratuitous embellishments will be found here! Emphasis is on the natural beauty of the wood.

2. Modern Styling. Especially in walnut, these tables are sleek and modern looking.

3. Versatility. Use them to complement your existing modern furniture collection or use them as accent pieces alongside vintage styled decor.

4. Functionality. They are sturdy and solidly built for everyday use!

5. Unique arrangement. Made in 3 stacks, you can use them in a ladder arrangement or use them all separately.

Here at Vermont Woods Studios, you can find nesting tables that do their job as convenient space-savers and, as an added bonus, they are environmentally friendly and made right here in Vermont.

Our New England Shaker Nesting Tables are beautiful and simple, designed to match any home decor. With clean lines and dovetail joinery, these tables are meant to be displayed. With your purchase, you’ll receive 3 nesting tables in your choice of cherry. maple, oak or walnut woods. I’ll also point out that with our current sale (ending soon!), you’ll be able to save up to 20%*.

What do you think of nesting tables? Could they fit into the decor of your home?

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Maple Shaker Furniture

January 6, 2015November 7, 2018 Kelsey Eaton

Last updated on November 7th, 2018 at 09:43 am

A few days ago, one of our customers sent us these great photos of his new Maple Shaker furniture in his bedroom. Staying true to Shaker sensibilities, the room has an uncluttered and simplistic look; using his American Shaker bedroom furniture to accent the darkness of his walls and highlight the maple flooring. I love it!

These photos inspired me to write a bit about why Maple Wood furniture is great, and the ways it can be used to enhance your own bedroom or other home space!

Maple Shaker Furniture: For a Relaxed, Zen Style space.

Maple Wood furniture has a much more informal l look to it than say, Walnut wood, which is typically associated with bold & modern decor styles. The lightness of this wood helps to give your space a relaxed and comfortable vibe– creating an understated interior design style that fits well with traditional Shaker aesthetic.

If you don’t know much about what Shaker Furniture Style encompasses, I’ll give you an overview:

1) Its clean, simple, and unfussy

2) Its practical

3) It features smooth lines and edges

4) Historically, it wasn’t made for “prettiness,” but for use; throughout the years, however, its understated aesthetic has become one of the most popular wood furniture styles!

Maple Shaker Furniture: For the Gentleman & The Lady!

As you can see from these customer photos, Shaker Furniture in Maple wood is simplistic and elegant; fitting for both a feminine or masculine bedroom. Whats so great about that? Well, It’s ideal for a shared bedroom, keeping both the husband and wife happy! Doesn’t get much better than that!

Lastly, Shaker furniture made in maple wood is great because it really is beautiful and usable in practically any room in the home. Its simplicity gives it a charm that has made it a favorite of furniture lovers for decades.

If you enjoyed this brief overview of Maple Shaker furniture and all of its characteristics; stay tuned for another blog coming soon, on how to pair maple furniture with the appropriate decor! And if you think you’re friends might like this post too… feel free to share it on Facebook or on Twitter! You’ll find our social media icons at the bottom of this post.

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Roundup: 5 American Made Shaker Desks

January 3, 2015November 10, 2017 Kelsey Eaton Leave a comment

Last updated on November 10th, 2017 at 02:18 pm

The title of “American Made” typically ensures that what you are buying is top quality and built to last a lifetime. Our American Made Shaker Desks are just that, giving you beautiful, high quality desks that anyone would love to work around. Handcrafted in Vermont, these solid wood desks are made with the same honesty and integrity that the original Shakers were known for many years ago. This roundup includes 5 solid wood, American Made Shaker Desks that we believe would make a great base for your home office.

1. Classic Shaker Writing Desk

The Classic Shaker Writing Desk is as beautiful as it is elegant, bringing natural, eco-friendly solid wood to your office. It’s quite versatile as it can be crafted as a small, medium, large and custom table size. Choose a pencil drawer or a pull out keyboard shelf depending on your needs. Customize it with tapered legs to match the rest of our New England Shaker Office Furniture pieces. This cherry Shaker desk is simplistic, versatile, and traditionally crafted. We are sure you will love it as much as we do.

2. Modern Shaker Campaign Desk

Our Modern Shaker Campaign Writing desk is made in top quality using premium solid hardwoods. This piece is crafted to last a lifetime. It’s sleek look will impress your clients, and it’s simplicity makes it easy to keep everything you need right at your fingertips. Each desk is unique, handmade in Vermont using sustainably harvested woods by local furniture makers. Choose between a rounded or straight edge profile. All our Modern Shaker Style collection is handcrafted to order in Vermont in your choice of solid cherry, maple, or walnut woods with a eco-friendly non-toxic oil finish that not only protects, but enhances the natural beauty of the wood.

3. Sarah Secretary Desk

Our Sarah Shaker Solid Wood Secretary Desk (or laptop work-station) features a full extension pull out keyboard tray and a classic American Shaker design. This American Made Shaker Desk can be customized online in your choice of small or large tabletop sizes and with your choice of woods. This piece is simplistic, truly Shaker inspired, and built to last a lifetime. Customize the look of your new desk in either natural cherry (no stain) or windsor cherry, autumn cherry, cognac cherry, saddle cherry or smoke cherry.

4. Modern Shaker Library Desk

Our Modern Shaker Writing Desk is sturdy and simplistic, taking a modern spin on traditional Shaker style. All of our Modern Shaker Style collection is handcrafted to order in Vermont in your choice of solid cherry, maple, or walnut woods with a eco-friendly non-toxic oil finish that protects and enhances the natural characteristics of the wood. Traditionally crafted for generations of use and enjoyment.

5. Vermont-Made Shaker Writing Desk

Simple, beautiful, and traditionally made; our Vermont Made Shaker Writing Desk features elegant tapered legs and high end, solid wood construction that will endure for years! All our wood is sustainably harvested in America, so it’s an eco-friendly writing table that you can feel good about. Customize it to be uniquely yours, perfect to get all of your work done around!

Which of these 5 American Made Shaker Desks do you like best? Let us know in the comments section!

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