No More TV Dinners
The Modern American Dining Room Furniture set is on sale today!
Every day, multiple times a day, we sit down to eat a meal. Most people do not eat lunch at home, but lunch aside, you probably eat breakfast and dinner at home. Where in your house do you eat these meals? Do you sit at the table? Eat over the counter? Sit in front of a TV? An increasing amount of articles, which you can read here, here and here, state that those who eat in front of the TV are more likely to be obese.
You may be wondering, “why is a furniture retailer writing about the correlation between TV watching and obesity?” Let me make the connection for you: we sell dining furniture. It’s time to break that habit of sitting on the couch to eat dinner. Perhaps a new solid wood table and hardwood dining chairs would be an incentive to start having meals in your kitchen or dining room again.
Our dining room furniture is available in a variety of designs, shapes, and wood types, so there is something in our online gallery to fit any home’s style. All of our pieces of dining furniture are crafted in Vermont using sustainably harvested hardwoods. Each piece is built to order, so you can customize the piece to fit your needs. Whether you’re just looking for a small table to fit in the corner of your kitchen, or you’re looking for an extension table so you can host the next family holiday, our craftsmen can craft what you need.
Right now all of our dining room furniture is on sale! This is a buy more, save more sales event. Take 10% off one piece, 15% off two pieces, and 20% off three or more! It’s easy to earn the 20% off discount with this sale; a solid wood table and two dining chairs would do the trick! Plus, all of our dining furniture is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Browse our online gallery (not while you’re eating, we hear that’s linked to obesity too) for your new hardwood dining furniture. If you have any questions for our fine furniture specialists, feel free to contact them.
Natural Wood Furniture: American Made For Healthy Homes
This Natural Wood Furniture set is part of our 100% American made Modern Shaker collection. The wood is sustainably harvested in local and regional forests that are managed by professional foresters. Furniture finishes are non toxic and eco friendly.
American Made Furniture vs Imports
While we’ve watched the price of most home decor items skyrocket over the last 30 years, have you noticed that the price of furniture has actually tumbled? It’s true. For a couple centuries we Americans prided ourselves on making high quality, natural wood furniture that was coveted around the world. North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont and other New England states were leaders in the fine furniture industry.
But in the 1960′s and 70′s many of America’s big furniture makers (like Ethan Allen, Broyhill, Thomasville and Lane) started to move their operations overseas and superior quality became a thing of the past (along with hundreds of thousands of American jobs). Prices fell dramatically. Instead of preserving our grandparents heirloom quality wooden furniture for our homes, we began buying cheap, trendy furniture imports and replacing them frequently as breakage occured.
Natural Furniture for the Healthy Home
Fast forward to 2013 when home owners are getting tired of cheap imported furniture that ends up on the curbside in 5 years. And they’re worried about the health effects of toxic flame retardants and formaldehyde that come standard with imports. Especially in households with children, it is simply not worth the risk.
Families are coming back to American made natural wood furniture with non-toxic finishes. Yes the furniture is more expensive up front, primarily because the American worker is paid a livable wage (as compared to wages that often amount to just a few dollars/day in Asia). But the high quality and environmental integrity of American made furniture is winning customers over. In fact, many brands are offered with a lifetime guarantee, indicative of the superior value of American made furniture over time.
What kind of furniture is in your home? Where was it made? Is it time to rediscover the real thing? Learn more about American made, natural wood furniture on the sustainability section of our website.
Polywood Rockers: Jefferson is Best Seller This Week
These Polywood Rockers were our best sellers last week. Shown here in white frames with Cahaba black woven wicker seats, these comfy, high end Jefferson rockers are available in 6 different recycled plastic frame colors and 4 different wicker colors.
Isn’t Springtime great for relaxing in your rocking chair on the front porch? You can grab a drink and a friend and watch the world go by. I know Douglas is chomping at the bit to do this at Stonehurst as he’s got 6 of Polywood Jefferson Rockers all assembled and ready to put on the porch. We’re hoping we’ll all be able to sit out there by the end of the month or so, as renovations are scheduled to wind down by then.
Since Polywood Rockers were our best sellers last week, we must not be the only ones longing to get outside and enjoy the Spring air. If you’re one of those people and need a sturdy, high end, all weather chair you can leave on the porch throughout the year, give the Jefferson Rocker a look. It can be ordered with or without wicker in your choice of 6 traditional colors: white, black, teak, mahogany, sand and green.
Polywood furniture is eco friendly and made in America from recycled plastic milk jugs. It’s ultra-durable, weather-resistant and can be left outside all year round. At Vermont Woods Studios we guarantee our Polywood furniture for a lifetime of use and we offer a low price guarantee as well.
Find more buyer protection policies for Polywood furniture and learn why these Jefferson Rockers were our best sellers, by browsing our website — perhaps from your front porch. Enjoy the Spring weather while you do.
Shaker Furniture Sale: Last Chance to Save
This is our American Shaker Bedroom Furniture set, handmade in a small workshop just north of Montpelier, VT. It’s on sale this week until Thursday at midnight. You can find hundreds of other handmade Shaker furniture pieces also on sale– all 100% American made, right here in Vermont.
Just a quick note today to let customers know that our Shaker Furniture Sale ends Thursday of this week. It’s a “buy more–save more” event where you can save up to 20% on Shaker bedroom, dining room, living room, or home office furniture. Plus, receive free shipping and a lifetime guarantee.
Have a look at our Online Shaker Furniture Gallery and shop securely, easily, and conveniently from your dining table, office or back yard. Or give Liz or Sean a call at 888-390-5571 to order by phone or discuss your questions.
Our furniture is 100% American Made, solid wood furniture guaranteed for a lifetime of service to your family. Why settle for anything less?
The Final Leg of our Stonehurst Journey
All hands on deck putting the finishing touches on our soon to be new home
Vermont’s Newest Fine Furniture Showroom Coming Soon.
It’s hard to believe that we are approaching the one year mark in bringing Stonehurst to it’s new life. The journey began last June when during our search for a unique and special place for our new HQ we found Stonehurst. (I am pretty certain it was love at first sight for Peggy) That was a summer of contracts and inspections plus a boat load of paperwork. But by fall we had keys in hand and so we began our search for the “just right” construction team. One that could transform our dream and visions into reality. Winter soon arrived and so did all the heavy equipment, tools, material and construction talent and work began. With Vermont winters being what they are the construction team was certainly counting the days till spring but they made great headway during a classic Vermont winter. We have now seen Stonehurst through 4 seasons, taken her apart and put her back together (well almost!) We know her so well now and our team is very anxious to make this our new home.
According to the construction timeline plan we should be ready to occupy Stonehurst on May 17th. The site is certainly active right now as the various and carefully coordinated tradesman do their thing to ensure we get in by that day. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, landscapers and a few other trades all working together and putting the finishing touches on it. Very busy indeed up there.
Then we have our work cut out for us in seamlessly moving our whole operation, fortunately and thankfully just a few miles down the road. Very fitting that Vermont Woods Studios remains in Vernon, it’s birth town. You will no doubt hear when we make the move and we will let everyone know when the new showroom is open for business. It shouldn’t be long. We hope you get the chance to visit and we hope you find Stonehurst to be a special and unique place too. We hope to see you there!
You can follow this blog, check our Facebook page, or give us a call to stay up to date on our “open to the public” date.
Vermont Farmers Markets Are Open!
The Brattleboro Farmers Market is located on Rte 9 in West Brattleboro. It’s open rain or shine, every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Farmers will have maple syrup, fresh greens, herbs, rhubarb, eggs and meats, garden plants and flowers, apples, root crops, preserves and jams. Artisans and bakers offer sourdough breads, pastries and treats, granola, fruit wines and sparkling juices, jewelry, pottery, fabric arts, and soaps.
Foodies throughout Vermont are celebrating this weekend because Saturday is opening day for many of our farmers markets, including our favorite one– in Brattleboro. I tag along with Chef Annette who visits the market religiously every week to fill her fridge with fresh, organic fruits and veggies. I haven’t been cooking much lately so I just go for the freshly baked breads, local gourmet cheeses and… oh yes… lunch!
Lunch is the best part of Bratt’s Farmers Market. Take your pick: Indian, Malian, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, wood-fired pizza– you name it. Wash it down with steamy country coffee or a glass of the world’s best freshly squeezed lemonade.
The Brattleboro Farmers Market is located on Rte 9 in West Brattleboro. It’s open rain or shine, every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Farmers will have “springtime harvests of new maple syrup, fresh greens, herbs, rhubarb, eggs and meats, garden plants and flowers, plus well-stored apples, root crops, preserves and jams. Artisans and bakers offer sourdough breads, pastries and treats (many gluten-free choices), granola, fruit wines and sparkling juices, jewelry, pottery, fabric arts, and soaps.”
This Saturday on opening day, there will be music and Maypole dancing by Andy Davis. There’s something for everyone. Call 802-254-8885 for more information. Hope to see you there!
Vermont’s Citizen Scientists
The current issue of Vermont Nature, a publication of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science VINS is all about Citizen Scientists with ideas and links to projects all over the Green Mountain State.
Vermont Woods Studios was created with a mission of forest conservation. By introducing customers to our sustainable wood furniture we are able to raise awareness about all kinds of forest-related issues, from rainforest preservation to global warming.
You don’t have to be a citizen scientist to make the connection between healthy, sustainable forests and wood furniture but it doesn’t hurt. If you’re not already a CS, how about considering it?
The current issue of Vermont Nature, a publication of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science VINS is all about Citizen Scientists, with ideas and links to projects throughout the Green Mountain State. Online websites make it really easy to participate so if you love nature and are going to be outdoors enjoying it anyway, why not give Citizen Science a try?
Here are a couple opportunities:
- If you’re a bird watcher, check out The Great Backyard Bird Count run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Join bird lovers from 110 different countries by logging who’s flying around in your backyard, garden, farm or forest
- Love to hike? Learn about the pests that may be invading and jeopardizing the trees you’re passing by. The Vermont Forest Pest First Detector Program needs you to take a minute and report sightings of invasive pests online. You’ll be helping conservationists stop the spread of invasives before it’s too late.
Check out VINS’ website for more ideas. There’s something for everyone. You can change the world.
All Weather Outdoor Furniture = More Time to Relax
This All Weather Outdoor Furniture is maintenance free, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the summer. The Adirondack chairs shown are part of our Polywood South Beach Collection.
In Vermont, spring and summer slip by all too quickly so when winter finally rolls out of sight, we want to get outside and relax in the sunshine ASAP. And that’s where the beauty of Polywood all weather outdoor furniture comes in so handy. There’s no longer any need to go schlepping downstairs to the basement and dragging heavy outdoor furniture outside before you can relax on the patio in the warm sunshine.
Polywood is new type of American made, recycled plastic furniture that can be left outdoors all winter long! It’s basically impervious to harsh weather such as rain, snow, ice, and salt water. Made from recycled milk jugs, Polywood is a thick, heavy, dense plastic designed to replicate high quality tropical lumber like mahogany and teak. It’s maintenance free and insect, mold and mildew-proof. And Polywood is available in natural colors, plus white, black and a wide variety of vibrant contemporary colors. Best of all, polywood colors are infused throughout the recycled plastic lumber, rather than just on the surface so there’s no need to ever refinish. Hooray!
Now your Springtime routine of lugging furniture to the patio, scrubbing it clean, scraping old paint and applying new paint pretty much boils down to this: pour wine, sit on your Polywood with a book and relax in the sunshine.
Check out additional details about this all weather outdoor furniture, including our Polywood lifetime guarantee, low price guarantee and the Top 10 Reasons to Buy Polywood from Vermont Woods Studios.
Natural Cherry Furniture: Blossoming in Vermont
Vermont’s cherry trees are just starting to leaf out and will soon be blossoming this Spring. It’s hard to believe that these gangly trees covered with flakey gray, scales can be transformed into some of the world’s finest cherry furniture like the Cherry Moon Bed shown above.
Spring is the time of year when the (normally homely) black cherry tree gets to dress up and strut it’s stuff. Hard to believe isn’t it– that these gangly trees with rough, scaley bark will be transformed into beautiful flowering flora (and perhaps one day into natural cherry furniture like the Cherry Moon Bed above).
But it’s true. In a few short weeks they will be bursting with fragrant white and yellow blossoms which will give way to delicious black cherry fruit. These are the trees that provide a sustainable source of wood for over half of the furniture customers purchase from our store, Vermont Woods Studios.
Interested in learning more about cherry trees and natural cherry wood furniture for your home? We are the experts! Check out some of the many “cherry wood” articles we’ve written over the years and give us a call to let us know if you’ve got a question we’ve yet to answer. We’ll jump right on it!
- Cherry Wood Characteristics
- Natural Cherry Wood Furniture: What Color Is It… Really?
- Solid Cherry Wood Furniture: Is it Real?
- Cherry Wood Furniture: Where Does It come From?
- Solid Cherry Wood Furniture: 3 Ways To Tell If It’s Real
- Natural Cherry Wood Furniture Characteristics: Grain Variations
- Natural Cherry Wood Furniture Characteristics: Color
- Natural Cherry Wood Furniture Characteristics: Mineral Deposits
- Solid Cherry Furniture: 18 American Made Collections From Vermont
Recycling and Repurposing Stonehurst: Free Stuff!
What kind of free stuff is available at Stonehurst? Slate roofing tiles, old timbers, new windows and doors, old bricks, cement blocks, some rebar, insulation, a couple pieces of furniture and cabinetry and a few other odds and ends. Give us a call (802-275-5174), then stop by and check it out. Be sure to give us a call first so we can show you what’s free and what’s still being used for Stonehurst renovations (don’t get me into trouble with Ken).
Stonehurst construction is nearing completion. In a month or so we should be able to move out of our cramped quarters next to the Vernon Post Office into the 200 year old farmhouse we’ve been renovating for use as a showroom, art gallery and office space. Woohoo!
Unfortunately, before the move we have lots of work ahead in wrapping up renovation activities, cleaning up the construction zone, doing landscaping and making the place worthy of your visit. In light of that, Dennis and Douglas have joined forces in a concerted effort to persuade (coerce?) Ken and me to let go of the “construction debris” (or valuable building blocks for undefined future projects, according to Ken) and get Stonehurst ready for visitors asap.
If you can put these timbers and slate roofing tiles to good use, they’re yours. Help us salvage what we can and while you’re here, have a look into the future of this 200 year old farmhouse.
So with that in mind, I offer these pieces of Stonehurst to you for recycling, upcycling, re-using or re-purposing. Come and get ‘em! If you or someone you know is interested, just give us a call (802-275-5174) and plan to meet us at Stonehurst (538 Huckle Hill Rd, Vernon, VT) after work at 5:30 almost any night for the next week or so.
What’s available? Slate roofing tiles, old timbers, new windows and doors, old bricks, cement blocks, some rebar, insulation, a couple pieces of furniture and cabinetry and a few other odds and ends. Stop by and check it out. Help us salvage what we can from Stonehurst’s former days and while you’re here, have a look into it’s future.
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