Some people might wonder—what is Midwestern furniture? Located in Kalona, Iowa, Midwest Woodworks is in the center of the cultural region known as the Midwest. We’re often known for politeness, casseroles, and corn, but our identity is deeper than that. The Midwest is a place where people know one another, and consequently, reputations are built over a lifetime.
Here at Midwest Woodworks, we plan on being around for a while. Our craftsmen make great quality hardwood furniture; and have been for over two hundred years. The Amish craftsmen of Ohio and Indiana make most of the furniture we sell. As the Amish transition off the farm, they often turn to woodworking. This skill has been passed down for generations. Only now, instead of making furniture only for their own families, they’re making it for your family to enjoy.
Characteristics of Midwestern Furniture
Midwest Woodwork sources its furniture in small mom-and-pop businesses employing a small number of employees. The small scale of these shops encourages workers to pay attention to the smallest details. They sand so carefully, only the woodgrains indicate where one board ends and the other begins. Each of their tables, like the Gatlinburg Table, has a highly buffed top with seamlessly joined boards—a pleasure to see and touch.
These woodworkers from Ohio and Indiana know their wood. They build furniture like they build their lives, with time-honored techniques. Amish craftsmen aren’t accustomed to taking shortcuts, they realize producing quality furniture takes time. Wherever possible, they use wood-joining techniques like dovetail to ensure durability. Their beds, like the Arch Spindle Bed, utilize tongue and groove, making them not only beautiful but sturdy. And because they’re from the Midwest, they consider customer satisfaction the highest priority. They offer customers the choice of wood type, stain, and upholstery fabrics.
Materials Typically Used
The Amish continue developing their craft using local woods like maple, oak, cherry, and elm. Consequently, like notes in coffee, each wood shows up just a bit differently under a stain. The Covington Corner/Wall Unit Book Case Collection illustrates this point. The same style is crafted with maple and quarter-sawn white oak. The Driftwood stain on the maple causes the wall unit to blend into muted surroundings. When Michael’s Cherry stain is applied to the white oak, it becomes a statement piece, lending a deep, warm tone to the room.
But even within one type of wood, the potential is endless. For instance, both the Atlantic and Caledonia Armoire are constructed from maple. Both showcase brown maple, but the lighter stain on the Atlantic makes it more fitting for a modern farmhouse. Comparatively, the dark stain on the Caledonia blends into a more traditional décor scheme.
Ever since the Arts and Crafts movement, quarter-sawn oak remains popular, both for the more subtle grain, as well as for durability. An example of the subtle grains of quarter-sawn oak is the Quincy Bedroom Collection. This contrasts with the more obvious “cathedral window” grain of the white oak in the Manchester Bedroom Collection. Both styles carry their unique appeal.
Under Color Options, you will find a place to explore the different wood types and stains to get a feel for what will fit your home.
Midwestern Quality
Midwestern furniture represents the best of the Midwest: fair pricing, simplicity, and quality. It has integrity—that’s the only way to do business where everyone knows you. The Amish craftsmen aren’t putting out factory-style furniture in the fastest way possible. They’re creating heirloom furniture that will bring elegance to every room.
If you think we’re talking up the Midwest too much, why don’t you head over to Midwest Woodworks to see if we’re overstating this furniture? There, you can check out the mid-century Andover Loveseat or the selection of desks in all sizes. The salespeople are friendly and conversational, ready to help you choose your piece of custom furniture.