http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/understanding-the-amish-dining-table.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/understanding-the-amish-dining-table.html Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:58:29 -0500
Styles for the Edges of the Table:

Over the ages, the Amish master craftsmen have developed a range of aesthetically appealing table edge styles. One can choose from among Beveled, Chamfer, Mission, Ogee, Roundover styles of edges. The Beveled edge is made by a specialized cut to wood or glass to where the edge is cut at a downward angle. The Chamfer edge is a type of beveled cut that the angle of the cut is about 45 degrees. The cut angle is less than that of a standard bevel edge. The Mission edge style edge is that which is square and occasionally rounded at the top edge. The Ogee edge is made by cutting in a tiered patterned with the bottom tier larger than the top. The Roundover edge is, as the name suggests, a smooth rounded edge.

Leg Styles for the Dining Room Tables:

What also gives the Amish dining table a very distinctive look is the kind of legs that are constructed for the table. Regular, Shaker, Round Shaker, Hoosier, Fluted and Farmer styles are just some of the kinds of table leg patterns that are on offer. Cabriole legs are a style of leg that is usually associated with the Queen Anne Style. It is a curved leg with an out curved knee and in curved ankle. Many pieces of Amish furniture also have the distinctive bun feet, which is a decorative furniture foot style that has rounded sides and a flat bottom.

Furniture Staining:

Apart from the old fashioned techniques used to make the furniture, there are other reasons why Amish made dining room furniture is so long lasting. The Amish use a special staining procedure for the finishing of their furniture that has excellent adhesion, hardness, and superior abrasion resistance compared to lacquers. This makes the surface of the furniture highly resistant to scratches, water, solvents, and household chemicals. There is also the option of getting custom staining done for the furniture that you want, so that you get exactly what you are looking for. The color of the stain can be chosen and then customized to match your other furniture your table linen or even to form a contrasting foil for the walls of the dining area or room.

For those that enjoy the antique look, Amish furniture also comes with a distinctive distressed look, which is a finishing technique that give the furniture piece the look of aging or of an antique. If you want furniture that is long lasting, classy and never goes out of style, which is also of the highest quality, then you really need look no further than Amish made furniture.

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To make a complete dining room set, you can get your dining chair and dining room hutch to match your specially designed and stained table.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/kinds-of-dining-tables.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/kinds-of-dining-tables.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:11:31 -0500
To begin with think about the dimensions and shape of table that will suit your purposes and the shape and size of your dining area. Then you can decide what the kind of table you want to buy is.

The Leg Table:

The Amish specialize in many different kinds of dining tables and among them one of the most popular varieties is the Leg Table. As the name suggests, these tables are leg tables and are crafted on the clean simple and uncluttered lines. These may include drop leaf tables as well, which could be folded down from one or both sides to lessen the length of the table if there are issues of space, but the need for a larger table occasionally.

The Burlington table is a throwback to a more genteel time with its rectangular shape and federal design which incorporates a Queen Anne style foot with a straight leg and clipped corner top. The Brady table or the Georgetown tables give you the option of beautiful circular four legged tables. The Madison or the Mansfield tables give you the option of a boat shaped top which is both elegant and unusual.

Trestle Dining Table:

As the name suggests the trestle dining tables are made by the Amish furniture makers using frames or a braces as a support for the tables. These are tables that come with a variety of different supports as against the simple four legged variety.

The Arts and Crafts table is a classic, and personifies the Arts and Crafts movement with its legs that curve outward and the slatted based along with a circular one inch top. Then there is the Arlington table with its contemporary styled trestle. It is designed with a boat shaped top and sturdy base. The Craftsman Mission Table is another classic design with its slatted Mission style base that has built with superior mortise and tenon joints.

Pedestal Table:

Pedestal tables are again in a variety of different styles to suit individual tastes and needs. For instance the Caledonia style of pedestal table is a contemporary flare on a pedestal style table. It is available in round, square or oval table top shapes to suit individual requirements. The Camden Table is a unique dining room table with built in storage drawers under the base top and can be a real plus when space is tight. The Chancellor Pedestal table is for a more formal setting dining area and is a classic in its own right.

So remember when you make up your mind about a dining table, it is something that you will use for many years to come and should be one that is a thing of beauty and a joy forever!

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Hutches and corner cabinets can greatly add to a dining set. Make sure everything works well together.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/what-not-to-say-in-your-resume.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/what-not-to-say-in-your-resume.html Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:28:04 -0500
Mistakes of Spelling, Grammar and Syntax: Your resume should be correct and flawless in terms of grammar and syntax, which, can really destroy that all important first impression that the resume makes. Computer programs such as Word have made it quite easy for us to run a spell check, but errors of grammar and syntax are yet more difficult to spot and computers will miss many of them. If therefore, you feel you are unable to proof read your own resume sample, have a friend or relative do it for you.

Use of personal pronouns: When you make statements such as I exceeded sales target… or that my subordinates … it sounds both egotistical and also as though you are not much of a team player. Rather than say I exceeded sales target… say Sales target exceeded … it sounds less brash and less as though you are trying to blow your trumpet. Furthermore, rather than saying my subordinates, it sounds better to say my team. If you have to convey the fact that you were team leader in that instance, you could try saying Led the team to….

Slang, flowery language or fancy fonts: If you want to give the impression of being a really funny, cool guy or girl, there will be time enough to earn popularity brownie points from your colleagues once you are hired. Slang and casual sounding verbiage are not appropriate for your sample resume. Also if you want to show off what excellent language skills or vocabulary you have, restrain yourself when you are drafting your resume. Your prospective employer has neither the time nor the interest in wading through a lot of words trying to search for what is relevant for his or her purposes. Your resume should be as well as look professional. The spacing, layout and fonts should be official and professional looking. Fancy or quirky fonts may give the impression of the applicant being non-serious or unprofessional. The font size and layout should be such that salient points are easily readable and words are not crowded or jumbled, making the perusal a slow and tedious process.

Jargon and Irrelevant details: While a few industrial keywords may not be taken amiss (it fact they may be advisable to give the impression of being well versed with the industrial standard) it is advisable to avoid too much jargon. Sometimes, using words like ‘ideate' or ‘interface' may be appropriate; however sometimes words such as these can sound pompous. Also leave out irrelevant details even if they are flattering to you; it will only sound as though you are boasting. So it is important to strike a balance by sounding professional but not to the extent of sounding boastful or pompous.

If therefore, you take care of all the things to not say in your resume, then you are halfway there to having an ideal resume sample.

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Want to know how to write a resume? Check this site for some free resume templates. You can follow the resume formats and guidelines while drafting your own.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/choose-the-right-dining-room-chairs.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/choose-the-right-dining-room-chairs.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:40:04 -0500
Traditional Dining Chairs:

The timeless elegance of traditional dining chairs never goes out of style. These chairs come in a range to suit all budgets from the economy range to the more elaborate and ornate styles. The Amish are well known for creating traditional chairs in different styles such as the Easton Shaker chair, the Country Sheaf chair, Brady chair, Carlisle chair, Brunswick chair and many other very distinctive styles such as the Albany chair, the Bent Feather chair and the Bent Paddle chair.

Mission Dining Chairs:

The Mission style of furniture is something that the Amish master craftsmen are well known for. Some of the elegant and beautiful mission style chairs include designs such as the Bow Tie Mission chair, the Cascade chair, the Bradford chair, the Chesterton chair, the Colbran chair and many other styles.

Contemporary Dining Chairs:

Sometimes the more traditional kind of furniture does not suit either your requirements or your personality and you may want to go in for a more contemporary look when shopping for your dining room chairs. The East village chair with its characteristic square grid chair backrest, the fully upholstered Elwood chair, the Emerson chair with its elegant and simple, uncluttered lines, the modern and smart Kirkland chair or other upholstered pieces like the Kenwood chair or the Kingsley chair.

Benches and Stools:

Sometimes it may be, that for reasons of adding a touch of whimsy to your dining area, or because it is a requirement due to the size and the dimensions of the area, you may decide on dining benches instead of or in addition to dining chairs. There are many varieties of benches, with or without backrest and many that come with built in storage. Choose from a wide variety such as the Carlisle trestle bench, the country spindle bench, the two door mission bench, the scallop box storage bench and many others as well.

Sometimes barstools are a useful addition for your dining area; it could be additional seating for your dining table or come in handy when entertaining. Choose from a wide variety such as the Belmont bar stool, Barrel swivel bar stool, and others.

So remember when you go shopping for dining room furniture, the chair is as important as the table, so give as much thought to choosing the latter as you would the former.

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The author protects her dining room table with a table pad. Make sure you buy original Amish Furniture from authorized dealers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/a-few-special-pieces-of-dining-room-furniture.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/a-few-special-pieces-of-dining-room-furniture.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:55:22 -0500 dining room furniture, because this is an area where the family congregates several times each day, an area that is much used and undergoes a lot of wear and tear and which still has to look good for when you are entertaining guests.

Amish made furniture is admittedly more expensive than generic, mass produced furniture, but it is built to last. The techniques used to make the furniture as also the materials used to make is what makes this so long lasting. Also the fact that Amish furniture doesn't generally follow the here-today-gone-tomorrow trends so buying some classic pieces will ensure that your furniture never goes out of style.

The Perfect Dining Table

Choose one that you like the look of, and which is suitable both for your requirements and the dimensions of your room. Dark wood maybe something you like, but do keep in mind that it may not be suitable for a small room; and you may like a big dining table that may just not be the thing for the dimensions of the room. So decide what is suitable and what it is that you can see yourself enjoying in the years to come; which may be a round dining table or a square one; who says they all have to be square!

Some Amish even make extendable dining tables for when it is required to seat more people, which is something you may want to check out.

Comfortable Chairs

Yes the dining room chairs should be attractive and should match your table, but make sure they are comfortable as well. Whether you want arm chairs, the number of chairs that you require on a daily basis, consider all these points; after all you and your family will be sitting on these chairs for years to come.

Few other attractive pieces

A dining room hutch, a side board or server is an excellent option, not only to prevent your dining room looking bare but also a practical addition for storage and for when you will be entertaining. Even a cabinet, or a table with a few drawers will help you find room for your crockery, silver and linen, as well as give you the option of displaying a few interesting knick knacks and some treasured photos or mementos. You will find many exclusive and beautiful pieces of such dining furniture made by the Amish master craftsmen.

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Match a contemporary chair with a pedestal table for an informal yet elegant arrangement. Hutches add to the grace of the dining room as well as provide necessary storage space.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/dining-furniture-maintenance-tips.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/dining-furniture-maintenance-tips.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:45:03 -0500
Cleaning and Upkeep:

Regular dusting and cleaning will ensure that there are no dust scratches to your furniture and no warping or forming of mold due to humid conditions. Appropriate oiling and or polishing may be a good idea if the manufacturer's instructions and suggestions indicate it for proper maintenance.

Table Pads:

Table pads are a way to protect your dining table so that it looks new and as attractive as the day you bought it. It forms a thick protective covering for your dining table that protects the surface from burns, spills, stains, scratches, and also forms a protective base for delicate silver or bone china. It also absorbs noise and can protect your table from up to 550 degrees or heat. With a table pad, your dining room table can also double as a writing surface when you require the supervising of junior's home work projects or when you need to spread out a few work sheets. You can have these table pads customized as per your requirements and the shape and size of your dining table; whatever be its surface (wood, glass, lacquer or stone). Good quality pads are fitted with a unique magnetic locking system that ensures that there is no slipping or sliding of the pad from the surface of the table.

Buffet Pad:

If your buffet or sideboard is another surface that needs protection, either from direct sunlight or because it is a surface that is not used that often and can be covered up for the rest of the time, then a buffet pad is just the thing for you. Not only will it prevent scratches and damage from heat, it will also make sure that when you remove the pad say for a special occasion or for entertaining, the surface below will be in great shape, will almost be like new; fetching you admiring glances.

Table Cloths:

It goes without saying that a table cloth is not only something that adds color and style to your dining room, but also protects your table surface. Now if you have a slightly larger or different shaped table than the average, you could well find yourself in difficulties trying to get table cloths that fit exactly. For this it is possible to order a custom tablecloth that is made as per your requirement, so that your table is protected and your dining room decor is enhanced as well.

With some care you can ensure that your dining table and other furniture looks new for years to come.

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The author has recently purchased a pedestal table teamed with contemporary dining chairs. It makes for a great dining set.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/furniture-maintenance-tips.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/furniture-maintenance-tips.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:59:56 -0500
Moisture:

Moisture is the one factor that you have to consider when buying furniture and maintaining it. In a humid environment, furniture will swell and even warp; if not cleaned regularly, it can develop mold. If you live in a humid area and have the benefit of a dehumidifier, you should normally not have any kind of problem with your Amish furniture, as long are you are within the 35% to 45% range. This is especially true for quarter sawn white oak Amish furniture which will work for you even without the benefit of a dehumidifier. Because of the way the wood is sawn in this kind of furniture, there is very little chance of the kind of cracking or warping that can happen in the case of moisture damage to wood furniture.

Sunlight:

The one factor that is likely to cause the most damage to your precious furniture is sunlight. Direct rays of the sun can cause considerable damage to furniture, drying and cracking it, and aging it well before its time, even shortening its life span. Remember waxes and polishes will not be proof against the elements when it comes to your furniture, so it is best that the furniture be kept away from direct sunlight as well as a source of any strong heat.

Cleaning and Protection:

Whenever possible, try to use coasters or mats to try and minimize spillage, heat damage and other scratches and marks on the furniture. Regular cleaning will also help avoid the formation of mold on the surface of the furniture. Remember dust can also cause scratches on your furniture so avoid those with regular and proper cleaning. A slightly damp cloth will collect the dust better. After all prevention is always better than cure!

Dust attracts moisture so regular dusting and cleaning will take care of most of the maintenance of your Amish handcrafted furniture. If very dirty, the furniture can be washed off with soap, water and a soft sponge. Abrasive items such as hard brushes should be avoided which may damage the patina of the furniture.

When decorative and other items are placed on the surface of the furniture, they can form rings or cause discolorations, so they should be moved or rotated regularly so that this is avoided.

Oiling of the furniture may often not even be necessary, but it is recommended that lemon oil be used for Amish oak furniture from time to time so that your furniture maintains its quality over the years.

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The author is a well known home improvement expert. She swears by Amish furniture. It is strong and very durable. She recently purchased new dining furniture and a coffee table.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/questions-you-should-ask-when-buying-dining-room-furniture.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/questions-you-should-ask-when-buying-dining-room-furniture.html Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:32:44 -0500
What furniture will suit the area?

If for instance you have an open plan dining room which abuts the kitchen or the drawing room area, then furniture has to be selected accordingly. What are the dimensions of the room or area; and what is the kind of dining furniture that would suit it? The furniture size should be proportionate to the room. Too big and it will dwarf the room; too small and it will look lost and insubstantial in the area. Ideally the dining table and chairs should leave sufficient room around them for people to walk around comfortably without bumping knees or having to squeeze past.

What is the statement I want to make with my dining room furniture?

When you buy dining furniture, you ideally want it to reflect your personal sense of style. You may decide to have a proper, ornate kind of dining room where everything is perfectly coordinated and a somewhat formal tone is created. You could then go in for classic or traditional pieces that will never go out of style. Or you could decide upon a casual setting with modern or contemporary furniture that creates a trendy and cool ambience rather than a formal one. Or in the alternative you could just get together an eclectic bunch of furniture and put it together to reflect your own exclusive personality. In this way you can use interesting individual pieces that do not necessarily go together or match, but which together make for a unique and appealing combination.

How do I choose the right dining tables and chairs?

Consider the size and shape of the room when buying the table. For a smaller area a round or a square table would be a good option. These occupy less space and also look compact so as not to overwhelm a small space. If the area is large, then even an eight seater dining table may be considered. When choosing chairs, do not sacrifice comfort at the altar of style. Remember a dining chair is something you will sit on and eat your meals for years to come, so it had better be comfortable as well as good looking. A very stylized looking or minimalist chair may be very stylish, but may not be terribly comfy to sit on.

What else do I need?

What will answer this question is a bunch of other questions: how much entertaining do you plan on doing? Do you have a lot of ‘stuff' such as china, silver ware, crystal and table ware that needs storage? If yes then you may need a sideboard, a dining room hutch, a buffet or a server. Also ask yourself is the area large and will it look it look bare without some accompanying furniture of will that extra furniture crowd the area?

If you find you have asked the right questions when buying dining room furniture, then you will likely have made the correct buying choices as well.

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The author protects her dining room table with a table pad or custom tablecloth. This way it looks like new for years.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/amish-accent-furniture.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/amish-accent-furniture.html Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:00:38 -0500
The Dining Room hutch: The Amish make a variety of hutches big and small that can store your china, or other objects d’art or mementos. As per your particular requirement, you can get yourself a one, two or multiple door hutch, with or without a glass frontage. Many dining room hutches offer features such as beveled glass on the doors, mirror backs and recess lighting. You can have a door or a drawer combination at the base of the hutch which increases dramatically, the storage capacity of this item of dining room furniture. You can choose from dining room hutches with glass shelves or wooden shelves, depending upon your preference. Many offer the option of an open shelf area that you can use for an additional serving surface for when you are entertaining.

Buffets: These are also sometimes called servers or side boards, and which usually consist to a flat top serving area with drawers and cabinets below for storage. You can have the option of dovetail drawers which are such a specialty of Amish made furniture and with full extension sides as well. Some buffets can be versatile enough to be able to double as a wine rack or a mini bar as well. Options for storing wines are present in the crisscross work below the serving area, with the facility for storing glassware at the top so that your long stemmed ware has a safe storage area.

Corner Cabinet: A corner cabinet could be an ideal addition to your dining room furniture or to your living room. While in the dining room it can offer a beautiful display and storage area for all your lovely silver ware and delicate china, in the living room the same corner cabinet could be used to display trophies, mementos, crystal ware, family heirlooms and other precious items of display.

Dining Nook: Sometimes the shape or area of the dining room or area may be such that a traditional dining table may not be the correct choice, and when a dining nook would fit in just perfectly. Typically a dining nook would have a bench like structure that fits into the corner of the room along two walls and would also have a table that is typically smaller than a regular dining table. Additionally a dining nook would have a couple of independent chairs or an additional bench that would make up a whole.

Wine Rack or Sideboard: Many sideboards are versatile enough to double as wine racks, with built in areas where you can store wines the way they should be stored. It is important that you store wine bottles horizontally so that the corks remain moist and won’t disintegrate due to dryness or brittleness when you coax out the cork with a corkscrew. These items of furniture offer space not only for your bottles, but also for delicate glass ware.

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A dining set comprises much more than just dining room chairs and trestle tables. Accent furniture can really complete the look.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/difference-between-amish-furniture-and-other-furniture.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/difference-between-amish-furniture-and-other-furniture.html Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:18:29 -0500
Quality of Raw Materials used: The Amish generally use hard woods for the furniture that they make. They always use solid wood such as cherry, oak, maple etc.; no use is ever made of particle board and other short cut techniques that you routinely see employed in mass produced furniture. The hard wood that is used for Amish made furniture is the kind that is slow growing. Since the wood is slow growing, it is also very durable and long lasting. It is for this reason that Amish furniture is generally thought of as heirloom furniture that is passed on from one to another generation.

Classic Designs: The styles and designs used for making Amish furniture are timeless classics. They are not the kind that follow the ‘here today – gone tomorrow’ trends. If a piece of Amish handcrafted furniture looks stylish to you now, it will also look as stylish 10 or even 20 years down the road, simply because it is the sort that never goes out of style. Some of the designs and styles employed by the Amish date back not just decades but even perhaps a century or two!

Contrast this to the mass produced, trendy, modern furniture that you see generally. These will follow styles and trends slavishly, without regard for timelessness of the designs. Something dramatically modern or stark may look really smart today, but within a few years, that very look may seem dated to your own eyes. With furniture, which is a costly purchase in any circumstances, it is wise to invest in something that will last for a long time rather than something that will quickly need replacing.

Methods of Hand Crafting: It is well known that the Amish live simple lives that do not depend on modern aids or technological tools. There is therefore very little automation used for the making of Amish furniture. It is still made the old fashioned way; some of it is made using old fashioned tools in an unhurried and no-shortcuts method. The joinery used in Amish furniture is especially important, which give it distinctive good looks as well as tremendous durability. Finishing of individual pieces is usually done by hand.

Exclusivity: With mass produced furniture, you are alas sure that your piece is one from among many, many others that are exactly alike; even identical. The same cannot be said for Amish furniture however, since this is not assembly line furniture. Each individual piece of furniture is lovingly created so that there are no two pieces of furniture that are identical. In fact it is also possible to have pieces of furniture customized to suit your individual requirements and tastes. There is none of the mass produced variety of furniture when you look at Amish made furniture!

With Amish furniture you get sturdy, good looking, exclusive furniture that literally lasts for generations!

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To make family meals a pleasure, it is essential to have comfortable and good looking dining furniture. A large variety of hardwood dining furniture is available at Amish Tables. The dining tables are available in custom sizes.

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