Dovetail Joinery: Everything You Need to Know

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 Riley Farabaugh

Dovetail joinery technique shown on cherry dresser drawer front

Dovetail joints have long been a symbol in woodworking for high quality craftsmanship. Their appearance on a drawer box usually indicates that the furniture is built to last for many years. And while traditional dovetails are fairly easy to recognize, many people might not know that there are actually many different types of dovetail joinery techniques.

In this article, we’ll explain the four most common types of dovetail joints, and also explain the different between English dovetails and French dovetails.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

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.

Lyndon Furniture: Reviews & Testimonials

September 2, 2020 Riley Farabaugh

American Mission Dining Collection by Lyndon Furniture — Our American Mission dining collection by Lyndon Furniture

Lyndon Furniture is one of the most prolific furniture manufacturers in the state of Vermont. Founded by Dave Allard in 1976, Lyndon employs over 100 craftspeople in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Known for their classic designs and quality craftsmanship, Lyndon’s best-selling collections include the Classic Shaker Collection, Brighton Collection, American Mission, Vermont Modern, and Andrews Collection, among others (Note: We have re-named some of Lyndon’s collections to better reflect the designs).

Here’s what some of our customers are saying about the workmanship and quality of furniture coming out of the Lyndon Furniture workshop:

“We are thrilled with style, workmanship and function.” – Drew F, Kentucky
“We love it.” – Charles & Jessica S, Connecticut
“We love the chairs, they are just what we wanted.” – E&J
“The tables are amazing and we will be back!” – Paul B, Ohio

Read more about Lyndon Furniture or shop the entire catalog of Lyndon Furniture online.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

Maple Corner Woodworks: Testimonials & Reviews

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020 Riley Farabaugh

Vermont Shaker Bedroom Set by Maple Corner Woodworks

Maple Corner Woodworks, located in Calais, Vermont, creates some of the finest wood furniture made anywhere in the world. Lead by visionary craftsman Robin Chase, Maple Corner produces some of our most sought after designs. Best-selling collections by Maple Corner Woodworks include the Vermont Shaker collection, American Shaker, Cherry Moon, and Andover Modern.

Here’s what some of our customers are saying about the workmanship and quality of furniture coming out of the Maple Corner Woodworks team:

“I see Robin’s furniture as a reflection of his own demeanor: elegant, refined and genuine. He’s a master at combining authentic Shaker sensibilities with modern, contemporary design.” -Peggy Farabaugh, Founder @ Vermont Woods Studios
“Beautiful and fantastically crafted furniture. The furniture is just a delight to be around.” – Customer from Menlo Park, CA
“[Their furniture] is truly a work of art. This is a gorgeous piece of furniture, impeccably finished and about as high a quality as I’ve ever seen.” – Customer from Alexandria, VA
“We love [their] craftsmanship. Each piece is a work of art.” – Customer from Shaftsbury, VT
“This exceeds anything we ever dreamed of! Every piece is just spectacular.” – Customer from Maryland
“It’s quite simply beautiful, and exactly what I needed. It is so exquisitely crafted- I keep opening and closing the drawer, amazed at how smooth it is, and stroking the grain! It is the first piece of ‘real’ furniture I’ve ever bought for myself. There’ s a palpable difference sitting at a desk made from living wood as opposed to all the fake industrial substances out there.” – Customer from Chicago, IL

Read more about Maple Corner Woodworks or shop the entire catalog online.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

George Nakashima: Everything You Need to Know

August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 Riley Farabaugh

Modern American Bedroom Furniture Collection inspired by George Nakashima — Our Modern American Collection features natural cherry wood with walnut accents and was inspired by the work of George Nakashima.

George Nakashima (1905-1990) was an architect, designer, and woodworker that was a driving force behind 20th-century furniture innovation. The aesthetic of his furniture can be described as a unique mix of European Modernism with Japanese woodwork. Elements woven through his body of work can also be attributed to the influence of his love of nature, formal education in architecture, and his time spent in India.

Nakashima practiced during the mid-20th century, but his work was a divergence from most of the other designers of that period. Whereas many designers during the time looked to incorporate new materials like metal, plastic, plywood, and glass into their designs, Nakashima preferred to work with solid, natural wood. No doubt his relationship with Antonin Raymond, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright (the father of “Organic Architecture”), influenced this propensity.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

25 Facts About Climate Change & Deforestation

July 30, 2020September 29, 2022 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on September 29th, 2022 at 03:06 pm

This Global Forest Watch interactive map shows tree cover loss since the year 2000. Areas in pink are those suffering the worst rates of deforestation. They are the areas where timber is being illegally harvested and used to make imported furniture.

At Vermont Woods Studios, we certainly have a passion and appreciation for high quality craftsmanship and woodworking, but, the truth is, Peggy founded this business out of a passion for forest conservation.

It was this one astounding statistic that really lit a fire under her in 2005:

Every second, an acre of rainforest is lost forever

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

5 of the Most Well Known American Furniture Designers

July 23, 2020March 11, 2022 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on March 11th, 2022 at 10:07 am

Vermont Woods Studios was founded on two core principles- a desire to protect the world’s forests and a reverence for high quality craftsmanship.

Over the years, we’ve added a handful of Vermont craftsmen to our offerings, all of whom design furniture and decor that is beautiful, high quality, and uniquely their own. However, it’s hard to ignore the influence that some of America’s most prolific designers have had on the furniture designs produced today.

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants” -Isaac Newton

Here are some of the most renowned American furniture designers of all time, which continue to inspire craftsman all over the world today:

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

Green Team Profile: Brian Doherty

July 23, 2020November 8, 2022 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on November 8th, 2022 at 10:47 am

Brian joined us in early 2020 in our operations department, and he has his hands on sales, customer service, logistics and more. He grew up in Ireland and spent several years in customer service before coming to us. He played a key role in helping to facilitate our transition from the office to working from home when the pandemic hit. His experience with video marketing and YouTube is also helping us to improve our presence on that platform.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

Lawrence Peabody: Everything You Need to Know

July 20, 2020February 25, 2021 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on February 25th, 2021 at 02:58 pm

Lawrence Peabody was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer who made significant contributions to the world of design during the mid- to late- 1900’s. Most known for his use of walnut, Haitian influence, and innovative designs, Peabody’s work was sold by nationwide brands like Sears and Kohler, as well as notable retailers like Richardson-Nemschoff and Craft & Associates.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

Adrian Pearsall: Everything You Need to Know

June 20, 2020January 11, 2022 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on January 11th, 2022 at 05:51 am

Adrian Pearsall's Compass Dining Table — Shown here, an authentic Compass Table, designed by Pearsall and built by Craft Associates in the mid 1900’s.

Adrian Pearsall may not be as widely recognized as other furniture designers like Frank Lloyd Wright or Gustav Stickley, but his contributions to the world of design have not been forgotten. After founding Craft Associates in 1952, Pearsall went on to become one of America’s most prominent furniture designers during the “Atomic Age” of mid-century modern stylings, known especially well for his use of American black walnut.

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter

Gustav Stickley: Everything You Need to Know

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 Riley Farabaugh

Contemporary Craftsman Dining Furniture Collection — Gustav Stickley considered the dining table the heart of the home.

If the name Gustav Stickley sounds familiar, it may be because Stickley is one of the most recognizable names in American furniture. Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) was a furniture maker, visionary designer, and influential publisher that was a key driving force in bringing the Arts and Crafts movement to America in the early 1900s. His furniture work largely included what has become known as Mission Style Furniture—although, Stickley detested the term and preferred the name “Craftsman Furniture.”

Already following our Blog? For more info sign up for our e-newsletter