“American Made” and “Solid Wood”: What Do They Mean?

When describing our furniture, there are two terms that we are particularly fond of: “American Made” and “Solid Wood”. These phrases don’t just sound good; they actually have specific definitions that we adhere to rigorously when making our furniture. What does it really mean to produce solid wood furniture that is made in the USA?

Because of the enduring stellar reputation surrounding American craftsmanship, the phrases “American Made” and “Made in the USA” have come to symbolize that a product exhibits quality workmanship and materials. Unfortunately, some disingenuous businesses try to mislead their customers about the origins of their products. Accordingly, the Federal Trade Commission issues guidelines as to which products can be called American Made and which cannot. If a company flaunts these rules, the FTC has the authority to prosecute. Consumers should be careful to differentiate between the labels “Made in the USA” and “Assembled in the USA”, which is a lesser distinction that means that the components of the product in question are from foreign countries and they were merely put together in this one.

When we say our furniture is solid wood, we mean that it is made out of plain lumber, not plywood or particle board. These types of processed building materials are known as engineered wood. Solid wood is the much more durable of the two, to say nothing of its aesthetic superiority. These advantages make solid wood the clear choice for quality furniture.

Although it may be cheaper to produce furniture overseas using engineered wood, we know that no such product can hope to compete with our American made solid wood furniture. We endeavor to make the best product possible, and this means using the best materials and the best workers we can find, both of which are right here in America, as our satisfied customers can attest to. We hope everyone will continue to buy American, thereby supporting our domestic economy and American manufacturing.

Manchester Wood’s Thanksgiving Giveaway!

Tthe month of November at Manchester Wood is a good time to reflect on the close of another year and the gratitude we’ve had for it. We find it fitting that Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and families coming together.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Manchester Wood is offering a FREE Chairside Bookshelf to the winner of this month’s giveaway.  To enter the raffle email, or tweet, or write on our Facebook wall with an answer to: what you are grateful for this year?

Let us know what you are grateful for this year and enter the drawing to receive a handcrafted American made Chairside Bookshelf, a $199.95 value, absolutely free –
including free shipping!

Celebrate Thanksgiving with us and be reminded of another year in gratitude.

Blessings to you this holiday season,
Manchester Wood: American Made Furniture

To view the Chairside Bookshelf, click here.

To visit our online store, click here.

Why Buy American Made Furniture?

“Once upon a time, here in the great land known as America, everything was made by hand, everything was made from scratch, from simple foods to complicated machines that would change the world and the way we lived, communicated and developed,” began business tycoon Martha Stewart in her recent USA Today article ‘American Made’ salutes innovation.

At Manchester Wood we constantly champion the importance found in quality locally made goods, and are happy to see that Martha Stewart is helping to reach out to a wider audience in need of deeper awareness. As we consume products with no ethical standard more and more, we mark the extinction of well-crafted items with heartfelt practices as they are swept under by the epidemic of our country’s over-consumption.

Stewart continued, “As commerce grew, people started to do less and less of the handmade and the homemade, and manufacturing consolidated the making of things. “American Made” started to become “Made in China” and other foreign lands where labor is cheaper and more plentiful…

…I am not alone in thinking that we are in the midst of a shift in the culture, a moment when a generation of creative entrepreneurs are defining a New American Economy.”

We couldn’t agree with you more Ms. Stewart, and we believe that Manchester Wood, our family-run, handcrafted solid wood furniture business, is part of this unfolding definition that is becoming our “New American Economy.”

Be a part of the resurgence in conscious American consumerism and support American made furniture by visiting and shopping at ManchesterWood.com.

To read the whole article Martha Stewart: ‘American Made’ salutes innovation, published by USA Today, please click here.

Designing Your Home In Fall: Plant Stands

Our Mission Pedestal Stand, available in varying heights, adds a beautiful touch to any home during foliage season. And as this winter quietly begins to roll in, it’s perfect for holding indoor plants – which brings life and vitality to any home during the cold winter months.

Accent and enliven your home with Manchester Wood’s handcrafted American made furniture. To view our Mission Pedestal Stands, click here.

The ‘TV’ Tray Table at Manchester Wood

We’ve been discussing this past week how the paradigm of TV tray tables as a genre has shifted. No more is the foldable tray table seen – as it was initially intended – for dinners in front of the television with the family gathered around.

Would it still be modern thought to consider our TV tray table sets actually TV tray tables? We don’t necessarily believe so but we’re also well aware the term has been around since the 1950’s, yet you’ll begin to find Manchester Wood has been slowly progressing past the namesake to something more contemporary in folding tray table design.

The ‘TV’ tray table in the age of advancing technology age has become a more portable folding tray; a mobile desk for laptops and tablet computers.  This is exactly what our popular Portable Folding Work and Laptop Desk has been providing since its inception a few years ago.

At Manchester Wood, we’ve been a solid wood furniture provider for over 35 years. We pride ourselves on innovation in which classical inspiration meets present fashion.  Alongside our traditional ‘TV’ trays, we also offer an array of newly designed tray tables that include folding wood and laptop desks  .

From our Contemporary designs, to our Contour, Oval, and Rectangular tray sets, all are available in either quantities of 2 or 4 trays.  They all display the distinguished quality and handcrafted precision that has made Manchester Wood the leading provider of solid wood American made furniture.

Although we’re well aware the ‘TV’ aspect of our tray tables is fading away, we acknowledge and accommodate these changing needs with open arms and creative minds to offer you the best in portable folding tray tables as we have been since 1976.

To view our TV Tray Tables, please click here.

2012 High Point Furniture Market October 13 to 18

We’re excited to be attending the High Point Furniture Market in High Point, NC again this year. Preparations are well under way as we get the solid wood furniture that we will be showcasing ready for the trip down to North Carolina. This year we will be located at the M329A Pavilion in the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) Building. Check out our complete exhibitor listing.

Founded in 1909, High Point Market has grown into the world’s largest furnishings industry trade show. Covering 11.5 million square feet of show space in 180 buildings, the show attracts over 75,000 attendees and 2000 exhibitors to each market. With over 100 countries represented, serious retail home furnishings buyers make sure to attend because if you can’t find it at High Point, it probably doesn’t exist.

If you are in the area and looking for something to do or are already attending, please stop by and say “Hi.” Connecting with customers, both new and old is one of the high points (pun intended) of the market for us. For further info, please check out the below press release:

Press Release:  Manchester Wood To Showcase ew American Made Solid Wood Furniture Colors At High Point Market

Featured on ABC News with Diane Sawyer in 2011 for our ongoing dedication to manufacturing in America, Manchester Wood has been designing popular solid wood furniture pieces for a number of leading home furnishing companies, including L.L. Bean, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Plow and Hearth, and Lands’ End for over 35 years at our plant in Granville, New York.

Manchester Wood’s Halloween Costume Giveaway!

As the leaves turn, the temperatures drops, and we enjoy clear, crisp, and peaceful foliage air, Manchester Wood is excited to offer this month’s giveaway prize.  In keeping with the spirit of the season this month of October we’re offering our Step Stool FREE of charge to the best Halloween costume – past, present, or future – from childhood to adulthood, with submissions accepted via email (service@manchesterwood.com), Twitter (@manchesterwood), or Facebook with 5% off ALL our solid wood furniture items to the runner-up.

As with the rest of our hardwood furniture, the Step Stool is 100% made in the USA using sustainable North American timber. It is also part of our $64 Gifts for US Jobs Collection, which endeavors to provide ours customers with affordable products while simultaneously boosting the US economy.

Our Step Stool can help you reach that top shelf or cabinet with ease. It’s also great for helping children reach the sink or the phone. Featuring a durable, solid wood design, the Step Stool is sturdy and stable, so you won’t have to worry about your footing while using it. Despite its sturdy design, it is also extremely light and portable.

We look forward to seeing your costumes!

God bless you,
Ed & Priscilla Eriksen
Manchester Wood: American Made Furniture

Manchester Wood designs and produces quality, affordable, eco-friendly solid wood American furniture in the Green Mountains of Vermont and Adirondack foothills of New York.
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To view Manchester Wood’s online catalog, click here.

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Solid Wood Bookshelves at Manchester Wood

Manchester Wood’s solid wood bookcases are second to none.  From the Mission Underwindow Bookshelf to our Mission and Cottage Bookshelves and all the other types of bookcases we sell, we pride ourselves on the quality of our handcrafted American made furniture.  We back this up with a 100% quality guarantee on all products.

The Mission Underwindow Bookshelf with Adjustable Shelf  is small in size, but big on books. Although originally designed to sit under a window, its compact profile means it can fit in any number of tight spaces and the adjustable shelf allows maximum book storage regardless of size.

All of the solid wood bookshelves in our Mission Collection are produced from classically inspired modern designs to create solid wood furniture that offers ample storage space with three, four, or five shelves. These stylish solid wood bookcases also feature adjustable shelves to allow for items of varying heights, inspired from our “underwindow” design.

Our Cottage Bookshelf is another solid wood furniture piece that fits into small spaces but offers a lot of storage. It’s made of solid maple and is available in milk white, sage, or black lacquer finish. The Cottage Bookshelf is a solid wood bookcase that is ideal for a child’s playroom.

Manchester Wood proudly manufactures all of our solid wood furniture, including these solid wood bookshelves and solid wood bookcases, in the USA. All our items are held to the highest quality standards during production. The solid wood that we use for our eco-friendly furniture comes from sustainably managed forests in the Northeast of America.

To view our solid wood bookshelves, please click here.

Solid Wood Furniture Care Do’s and Don’ts

First and foremost, always remember that the three seemingly harmless occurrences below are hardwood’s worst enemies:

• Water left to puddle or stand can dull or mark the finish and, if the exposure is extreme, even warp hardwood.
• Dirt, dust and grit can dull and scratch.
• Sunlight’s ultraviolet rays, over time, can cause discoloration.

By making the following hardwood Do’s part of your routine you will find that hardwood care need not be difficult or time consuming.

• Do

Wipe up any spills immediately, using a soft, dry cloth starting at the edges of the spill and working toward the center. For hardwood furniture, use coasters, pads, cloths or runners to protect against spills and water rings.

• Do

Dust frequently, using a soft, lint-free cloth. For hardwood floors, regularly sweep with either a dust mop or broom that features exploded tips. Placing protective mats or rugs in entrances is also a helpful preventative measure to trap dirt.

• Do

Limit sunlight exposure with sheer drapes, curtains or blinds. And occasionally move area carpets to maintain a uniform appearance in a hardwood floor’s finish.

• Do

Avoid radical swings in temperature and humidity. Use a humidifier in winter and an air conditioner in summer to maintain room temperatures near 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity at 50 to 55 percent. Keep hardwood furniture away from heat sources if possible. If you must put furniture near an air duct, use a shield or guard plate to direct heat away.

• Do

Read and save the manufacturer’s care and maintenance instructions. And be sure to keep the company’s contact information for future reference.

• Don’t

Use cloths or mops dripping with water. Wood should not get wet or soaked. If it does, dry immediately.

• Don’t

Use a feather duster that could scratch the hardwood surface, or an upright vacuum with beater bars that can dent a hardwood floor’s finish. Instead vacuum frequently using a vacuum with special hardwood floor attachments.

• Don’t

Mop sealed-and-waxed hardwood floors, not even with a slightly damp mop, and never apply wax to a floor with a urethane finish.

• Don’t

Use area rugs with rubber or vinyl backing. Some materials in the backing can react with certain floor finishes, discoloring or causing the finish to become dull.

• Don’t

Expose hardwood to plastics, oils or solvents. Over time, plastic can stick to the finish and its colors can leach into the wood. Oils and alcohols, in things like nail polish remover, perfume and liquor, can dull and stain.

• And the most important Don’t of all

Don’t hesitate to incorporate hardwood into most every room. Today’s finishes make hardwood products an attractive choice that’s easy to maintain and extraordinarily beautiful.

Sections of the above tips are adapted from information on hardwoodinfo.com.

For more information on hardwood care, read Charles Sutton’s book, “How to Care for Your Old and New Wood Furniture,” sold by The Furniture Library, a research center in High Point, N.C.

Wood Desks Home Office: Mission Compact Desk

Developing wood desks for home is one of our specialties  at Manchester Wood thanks to the care and attention to quality that we put into the both the design and production processes. Our new Mission Compact Desk is no different. This American made solid wood desk is crafted for many uses:  in the home office, perhaps for use as a great recipe desk in the kitchen, maybe as a laptop computer desk in the study, or just the perfect size for a work nook in a small living space.

Our Mission Compact Desk is designed for those who need a good work area in a smaller space.  With a surface of over four and half square feet and classic mission lines, this hardwood desk stands out from cheaper outsourced knock-offs.

Whether the Mission Compact Desk is used in a work area for adults or by children for homework and play, its heirloom quality construction ensures that it will last for generations. A durable stain coats the finish — with either choice of Golden Oak or Chestnut — and prevents discoloration from accidental spills.

Like all of our American made furniture pieces at Manchester Wood, the Mission Compact Desk comes with our 100% quality guarantee.

Enjoy it for a lifetime and pass it on to your grandchildren.

To view and purchase our new Mission Compact Desk, please click here.