Are Coffee Tables On The Rise Due to Technology?

A recent article by Stacy Downs of The Kansas City Star explains just that. “Not only is it a place to set your drinks and the remote, it’s a place for laptops, tablet computers and smartphones,” Michelle Lamb, a home furnishings designer told the reporter.

The article, entitled Coffee tables enter a ‘golden age’ explains how the “Seinfeld era” in the early 90’s found coffee tables used mostly for drinks and food, the 50’s referred to them more as cocktail tables, with less wood in the design and more chrome. Each era has had it’s own appeal to this key piece of furniture.

It’s now “a place to work,” Lamb continued in The Kansas City Star interview. Lamb travels all over to trade shows and studies how furniture makers, like Manchester Wood, respond and adapt furniture to changing lifestyles.

Manchester Wood's Slate Top Coffee Table, beautifully hand-split slate tiles mined from nearby slate quarries along the New York-Vermont border.

“It’s combining sculptural art pieces with multiple functions,” Rick Janecek, a creative director and designer of Global Views, a home décor wholesale company told the Star.

The coffee table is evolving into a further artistic expression in the home, as well as its design in supplying the many functions we now desire in this age of technology. With laptops, iPads, Kindles, the uses stretch as Lamb said for “a place to work,” not just for setting a drink and the remote, while watching your favorite show.

In this era of multitasking, the coffee table is arriving as an impromptu desk with a fresh demand and need to be met. Manchester Wood, your American made solid wood furniture retailer is unveiling many designs this year for the coffee table, including one very soon that plays into the mobility and simply technical lifestyle the world seeks to find.

To view Manchester Wood’s coffee tables, click here.

References:

Downs, Stacy. (2012, 02 28). Coffee tables enter a ‘golden age’. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved from http://www.kansascity.com/2012/02/28/3456531/coffee-tables-enter-a-golden-age.html#storylink=misearch

Stores Desire Made in America

Photo Courtesy of The City Wire

“I think people want to buy USA made. I want to be the proof in the pudding — yes, you can buy American made [here],” Beth Cook told The City Wire a Business, Political, and Cultural News source in Northwest Arkansas this past Monday about her store “B LaRue,” a boutique retail outlet in Rogers, Arkansas now carrying Made in the USA products. “I just want to encourage small business in America…We make quality products. And we need jobs.”

The City Wire’s article entitled “Rogers store looking for Made in America” continued with a report that shows the greatest impact outsourced goods have are in furniture and household equipment, which mainly derive from China.

“In the last decade, manufacturers rushed to China to take advantage of low wages there, which meant U.S. job losses… according to a recent report by the Boston Consulting Group, a global-management advisory firm” (The City Wire).

It’s reading articles like this every week on our news feed, whether local coverage somewhere in America (like Arkansas) or national that puts Manchester Wood and other American made manufacturers in a growing ascent towards domestic consumer justice. And for the furniture world we’re one of the few proudly left standing.

Beth Cook, The City Wire these are some of the many Americans helping raise that kind of consumer awareness on Made in USA products, and Cook’s support for Made in America in her store shows her dedication to the cause. She knows for a small store in a small town in Arkansas it’s “not likely to help the economy overall, but she hopes maybe her decision will help save one or two jobs for Americans” (The City Wire).

Cook, like many store owners beginning to stock Made in USA items not only can see the clear picture of helping create more jobs here, but also the quality and craftsmanship of Made in America “that carries a lifetime guarantee…there’s a lot of pride in American products,” she concluded.

It’s great to see people not only acknowledge the support of their fellow person by purchasing something they made, but also realizing the quality and longevity of the products like ours entirely American made solid wood furniture at Manchester Wood. These are not landfill, cheap throwaway pieces of furniture that last a few years, but a nice solid Northeastern hardwood piece to give your grand-kids. Buy American. And if you’re looking for American made furniture, buy Manchester Wood.

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.

References

Sims, Scarlet. (2012, 02 06). Rogers store looking for Made in America. The City Wire. Retrieved from http://www.thecitywire.com/node/20249

Helping the New American Consumer: Sales, Giveaways, and more!

The many reasons why Manchester Wood is the best American made furniture provider.

When it comes to classic Americana solid wood furniture with ranges in design from Adirondack, Shaker, Contemporary, Slate Top, Glass Top, Mission, Cherry, and more, Manchester Wood is a leading manufacturer of quality Made in USA furniture. Our small “mill,” as our 50-odd craftspeople would claim it, is just West of the Green Mountains in Vermont, and rests at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

With major press outlets such as NPR and ABC World News with Diane Sawyer discussing Made in the USA products and the dire need of re-growing in the marketplace for the countries well-being as a people, both monetarily and ethically. Manchester Wood is happy to say that we’re at the forefront of affordability in the quality of our heirloom furniture that is important to us, and we plan for everybody to participate and own American made solid wood furniture produced from our plant.

In order to see this plan actualized, to see Wal-Mart or Target consumerism enter more towards a world of smart shopping and ethical consumption of products, Manchester Wood is offering an extension of gratitude and thanks for our amazing customers with monthly giveaways, more sales on items, and other prizes and raffles as we continue the year in offering incentives towards the pursuit of higher consumer understanding.

This month (January) we have two great offers available with a FREE cutting board for ANY purchase, and 10% off ALL Outdoor Furniture! Simply type “FREE” for cutting board, “Early” for 10% Outdoor Furniture discount in the coupon code box at checkout.

Sign-up on our mailing list to receive these updates on all our deals by clicking here, or by visiting our website, ManchesterWood.com, our Facebook, Twitter, or Blog.

We thank you for being on the cutting edge of the new rise in American consumerism! God bless you!

MLK Day: How It Stands For Us All

The past is transitory. It’s hard to place any thought on the past and fathom it as the real, true happening to be equated to this very moment. It’s due to growing and changing as a people, as nations, at an alarming rate. However, Martin Luther King, Jr., and his day of celebration next Monday is a past historical remembrance of a Great Soul where no doubt real changes and shifts in consciousness took place to bring us to a time to where, even not so in the distant past that it was, is hard to believe such hate ever occurred.

America has made countless moral mistakes in it’s past and current, through slavery, American-Japanese concentration camps, unnecessary wars, segregation, the treatment of Native Americans, and most recently, it’s disconnected spending in Government, banking systems, and their corporate conglomerates with using the very people who make it run.

1966. Martin Luther King Jr., along with his children, addresses a crowd.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of the people, beyond his race. He stood up at a time in the name of God in Peace and Love on a topic that alarms us just to think about it ever existing. It shows how far we’ve come, and how much his work matters. Dr. King sought justice for a people being unjustly viewed and ruled by a system due to the color of their skin. In today’s issues by removing the skin color and adding your bank statement, you’ll find the universal Truth that Dr. King stood up for with us all.

He was a man of awareness. A clear voice and heart, and when he yelled, “I have a dream…” we listened, because God spoke through his very core.

At Manchester Wood, we open the discussion on Martin Luther King, Jr. a little shy of a week from this day of celebration to open the conversation. What this man stood for, and how can we continue to apply it today?

We’re growing as a nation, we as a people are becoming more aware, through shopping American Made products, occupying our hearts in demonstration for a brighter future, and growing to an age of empowerment.

I believe Dr. King would be proud, and would ask us to keep having dreams for a brighter day for all of God’s inhabitants.

God bless you Dr. King, and God bless the consumers of our justly made American furniture, and God bless the power coming to the American people.

May our past escape us, and our future amaze us!

What Our Customers Say About Us!

We mentioned in the latest blog post how are hearts have been filled with Gratitude for the blessing bestowed on our little manufacturing plant. Our ever-growing customer base has a caring, assertive consumer action that leaves us continually understanding just how beautiful America is, and the new era we’re seeing to emerge in its commerce.

Manchester Wood wants to take this post to allow a few of our many loving customers to speak for us, and let you know just how much we care about our quality and service in our furniture made in the USA.

God bless all whom we’ve shared our gifts with (and to those we haven’t yet!).

—

Dear Manchester Wood: American Made Furniture,

This is to say how completely satisfied we are with the Tall Double Jelly Cabinet which we just received a few moments ago after ordering it only yesterday. What fast delivery service, and what fine quality woodworking! **We are delighted with the joinery, with the finish, and with the fact that it is made of solid wood (except the back, of course) rather than pressboard. **And we are very happy to be able to buy something of this quality that is made in America. It was packed solidly and arrived without a scratch or dent.

Happy holidays to you, and long may you prosper! We’ll be recommending you to our friends.

Sincerely,  Michael and Paula

—

First, I am shocked by how fast the bookcase came!  Second, I LOVED that I could still smell stain when I opened the box.  Third, it was very easy to put together and it fits perfectly where I put it. Last, I would not hesitate to order from you again and I will recommend your company to anyone who asks.

I am very impressed with the quality and workmanship of the bookcase. Thank you again.

Sincerely, Mary

—

The desk [Shaker Secretary Desk] is just what I have been looking for. I bought 3 items, my husband put all 3 items together in much less time than he could put together 1 poorly made imported item. The desk is beautiful, solid wood & it was made in AMERICA. Thank you for offering quality furniture.

-Janice

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To get in on these fine American solid wood furniture pieces these folks, and so many others are talking about, visit ManchesterWood.com

The New Year

Happy New Year, and blessings to you as we embark on 2012, a big time in space for our World. We give thanks to you, our customers for your continued support in American made furniture over the last year, which was a rising one for Manchester Wood as our sales and press coverage grew and flourished as our country continues to become more aware of the importance of American made products still existing, and also, the high moral quality and genuine craftsmanship it entails.

Manchester Wood President Ed Eriksen recognizes distinguished employees at this past years 35th Anniversary Celebration.

Our plans for 2012 are BIG with major evolutionary changes invoking more of the true essence of our brand with lots of new products, our first retail catalog, new business partnerships in spreading our message and furniture, and most importantly, personal notes to our active consumer base as we send your American made solid wood furniture items out the door.

Yes indeed, this year for Manchester Wood is slated to be of great importance for our community, country, and “the mill” – our workplace. We hope you feel the same about your Life as you enter this new time.

The quality of our furniture has proven itself over the last 35 years as a major manufacturer to highly respected brands as a primary provider and important element in their company’s awareness and image. So after years of providing much care and love to our manufacturing clients (whom we still proudly serve), we’ve become more alert to strengthening our financial needs, which, even with the business we receive, we’ve needed to become more solid. In an active pursuit to keep American made furniture business alive we began ManchesterWood.com, refurbished a factory seconds outlet, and approached you the consumer directly. The success we’ve found in doing so has been magnificent with sales in recent months nearly doubling, a growing mailing list, and an active social media and press campaign. We believe this is a sure testament to your caring, assertive consumer actions, and the quality of our products proudly made in the USA.

From the employees, to the employers, Manchester Wood wants to sincerely give thanks for these staggering results as our hearts fill with Gratitude for the past year of service we’ve provided, and you’ve shown necessary. Thank you.

To a prosperous, peaceful, loving 2012! God bless.

To shop our online store, visit www.ManchesterWood.com

The Gift That Keeps Giving: The Holidays for Manchester Wood

This holiday season many of us seek joyous occasions with friends and loved ones gathered around a softly lit fire, crackling along with the laughs of memories shared. There is a thankfulness for the time together, and the gifts given physically, emotionally, and spiritually; all of which are truly the most treasured of gifts “that keep on giving.”

Manchester Wood would like to take this article to note not only the material possessions we feel we can provide for a great holiday gift, but also the efforts and services of others who make these gifts that abundantly keep giving. Our American made solid wood furniture certainly falls in line with this slogan of the season as the heirloom quality products we design, construct, and naturally resource from our plentiful local forests create a beautiful furniture piece that continues to give in longevity and delight.

This holiday, we suggest this year’s most popular items (all w/FREE SHIPPING):

-Chairside Bookshelf End Table $199.95

-Chairside Storage Table $199.95

-Portable Folding Work and Laptop Desk $89.95

-TV Tray Sets $149.95-$299.95

Tony working in our sample room on potential new product.

Aside from these great gift ideas that continue to give to not only to the consumer, but the local company and employee that it provides for. At Manchester Wood our employees are a great gift too, and they continue to keep on giving as we strive to provide you the best in Adirondack chair designs to Shaker furniture styles, top end tables, coffee tables, and an abundantly growing collection of the finest in furniture made in the USA.

We thank our families, our friends, our loyal customers, and most importantly, our employees for being the greatest gifts that keep giving, the great furniture makers they are aside.

We cast high tidings and blessings to you this holiday season from all of us at Manchester Wood, God bless you.

A sale of Thanksgiving: 10% off ALL items!

A photo of our 10-year, 20-year, and 35-year employees!

As we extend our products to you this Holiday season we do so in Thanksgiving by offering 10% off all our items starting on Thanksgiving day (Nov. 24^th) through Cyber Monday (Nov. 28^th). We’ve been so grateful to serve you during the past 35 years with the best in American made furniture.

All you have to do is type “Thanks” in the coupon code box at checkout to receive the discount.

Manchester Wood prides itself on the fact it has been producing quality American made solid wood furniture for more than 35 years. Being a US made manufacturer gives a sense of resilience, fortitude, and an honest, real understanding of the bigger picture: helping your fellow man.

We understand times are hard, but they are getting better! A thanks is surely in store this season as an awakened spirit is hitting America! The old drudgeries of a system played to larger corporations are falling to the wayside as small businesses, like ours, hold resurgence at a time when it’s needed most.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your response to not only buy our furniture, but furniture made with pride and joy for living in a land so open to opportunity.

Through American made related articles, quotes of inspiration, employee prayers and updates in celebration we post on our Facebook and Twitter; to our news, insights, and sale offers we share on our blog and mailing list, we trust Manchester Wood has and will continue to provide you with more than the finest American made furniture, but also the happiness it invokes in making it for you.

God bless you this Holiday season, and remember give “Thanks” at checkout this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend!

To view Manchester Wood’s online catalog, click here.

The Statue of Liberty Celebrates 125th Anniversary

The State of Liberty during its 125th Anniversary Celebration

The Statue of Liberty (a.k.a. Liberty Enlightening the World) celebrated its 125^th year as a landmark and as a testament to the American ideal this past week, October 28^th 2011. It was on that day in 1886 when the statue was dedicated with Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom standing tall with a torch bearing freedom, chains broken at her feet, and a tablet evoking the laws of our Declaration.

Intended as a gift from the people of France and designed by Frédéric Bartholdi. The production of Libertas and her famed sculpture took Bartholdi over 15 years to make due to political unrest in France and than a lack of funds, which brought publisher Joseph Pulitzer of the World to drive a fundraiser in 1885 bringing more than a 120,000 Americans to contribute to it’s finishing.

Political unrest, lack of funds aside, this gift from France speaks more to us now than ever before. Are we not a nation of political unrest and bestowed with a lack of funds?

The Statue of Liberty was made in a time where America was beginning an upward climb, a manifesting path of un-defiance for an abundant future.

We must look to France in gratitude for this prized possession that is our reminder of freedom and opportunity, and than look to ourselves to make sure we deliver on its promise. Of the 120,000 American people who donated to the finishing touches more than half gave less than a dollar! It was France and the help of the American working class that helped raise this prize! Let us raise it again!

This article was written by Manchester Wood, a small American made solid wood furniture manufacturer out of Upstate New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont. To support American made products and our heirloom quality craftsmanship, please visit our website by clicking here.

Mailing List Sign-up Giveaway!

Our FREE Portable Desk Giveaway! Sign up on Mailing List to be considered in drawing! It Runs until Nov. 30th!

Manchester Wood is offering a special giveaway for a FREE Portable Work Desk to new followers of our mailing list! Please sign-up by clicking here or by signing up at the bottom of our website, ManchesterWood.com.

Our Mailing List gives it’s readership an inside look on sale items, discount deals, and a fresh perspective from an American made solid wood furniture company that’s sustainable and socially conscious efforts gain ground everyday.

Be the first to hear about it! Join Manchester Wood’s mailing list today to be on the front-line for our great offers and perhaps take home a FREE Portable Work Desk!

The giveaway starts today, Nov. 1^st with the winner of the drawing announced Dec. 1^st.

All you have to do is sign-up and you’ll be entered into the drawing! Good luck, many thanks, and God bless you too.

To sign up for our mailing and to enter drawing, click here.