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.

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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.

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.

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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:

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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.”

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Frank Lloyd Wright: Everything You Need to Know

April 25, 2020April 25, 2020 Riley Farabaugh

Modern High Back Dining Chairs and Metropolitan Dining Table by Lyndon Furniture — Our Modern High Back Chairs mirror the High Back Chairs that Frank Lloyd Wright designed back in the early 1900’s.

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is one of the most well-known architects of all time. He is often referred to as the “father of organic architecture” for his work to pioneer and define the concept. Throughout his career, Wright designed more than 1,000 structures, many of which remain historical icons.

Although he was best known for his work in designing buildings, he also made significant contributions to the field of furniture design. Inspired by the mission & craftsman movement of the early 1900’s, many of Wright’s designs included the vertical rectangular cuts seen so often in the furniture of that period. However, Wright went beyond the established designs of the American Craftsman era, infusing his own signature style into chairs, tables, and more.

During the later stages of his career, Wright’s furniture designs would evolve from distinctly craftsman into what would help to define the style now known as mid-century modern.

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5 of the Most Common Types of Cedar Trees

October 18, 2019August 16, 2021 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on August 16th, 2021 at 12:54 pm

Search results for "cedar tables" — You can see that an internet search for “cedar tables” shows what appears to be multiple types of cedar wood. Here’s a breakdown of 5 of the most common types of cedar.

“Cedar” can be a confusing wood because most trees we’d consider to be cedar aren’t from the species cedrela. For example, Eastern red cedar, by its scientific name Juniperus virginiana L., is actually from the species juniper, as the moniker indicates. However, Eastern red cedar is the tree responsible for most of the cedar lumber encountered in furniture in the U.S.

Five of the most common types of cedar trees are covered below.

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What Ever Happened to H.T. Cushman Furniture?

August 22, 2019August 16, 2021 Riley Farabaugh 1 Comment

Last updated on August 16th, 2021 at 12:45 pm

Cushman Furniture: Brand Plate for Cushman Colonial Creations

The H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company was founded in 1886 and spent close to 100 years building furniture in Bennington, Vermont. The company began by building coat racks, pencil boxes, hat hangers, and more, but soon became well known for their furniture.

The business was sold to General Industries in 1964 by Hall W. Cushman, the third generation of the Cushman family to manage the business. In 1971 the facility was sold to Green Mountain Furniture Co, which subsequently went out of business in 1980.

Even though the H.T. Cushman company is no longer producing furniture, their impact on the legacy of furniture craftsmanship in Vermont is clear.

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7 of the Best Architects in Vermont

August 13, 2019August 16, 2021 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on August 16th, 2021 at 12:52 pm

Interior Designer in Southern Vermont | Priscilla Cotton — Meet Southern Vermont’s favorite interior designer, Priscilla Cotton of Cotton Design in Newfane

We’ve often written about the rich history of craftsmanship in Vermont, but did you know this small state is also full of great architects, builders, and interior designers? Some of them even build furniture. In fact, there are many more that deserve to make this list.

Here’s a list of our favorite Vermont architects:

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What Ever Happened to Manchester Wood?

July 27, 2019July 27, 2019 Riley Farabaugh 1 Comment

Manchester Wood was founded in 1976 and spent 42 years manufacturing solid wood furniture in the state of Vermont. At its peak, the company was generating $8-12 million per year in revenue and employed close to 200 people.

The founder, Clifford “Cliff” Pierce, built Manchester Wood into a multi-million dollar business by selling in bulk to retailers across the country. He had over 300 wholesale clients including LL Bean, Crate & Barrel, JC Penney, Sears, Pottery Barn, Macy’s, and more.

The business was known for building high-quality, solid wood furniture. The most popular products were mission style bookcases and sofa tables, adirondack chairs, and folding desks and tray tables. It was a multi-generation family business.

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What Ever Happened to Vermont Tubbs Furniture?

July 4, 2019December 6, 2022 Riley Farabaugh 2 Comments

Last updated on December 6th, 2022 at 03:00 pm

Vermont Tubbs signage on wood bed dated 2002 — Vermont Tubbs signage on an ash wood bed signed by Lewis in 2002 (Image Source)

Vermont Tubbs was founded in 1840 and spent close to 170 years manufacturing wood furniture in Brandon, VT. In the early 2000’s, the company was generating an estimated $16 million per year and employed 250+ people, but it was struggling to turn a profit.

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