The Price for Solid Wood Furniture

Luke Eriksen here, I’m a grandson of Manchester Wood’s founder Cliff Pierce, and the 3^rd generation at work at the mill. I had a moment I wanted to share with you… I was taking photos this morning for an instruction manual on a new solid wood bookshelf. It’s a very basic piece of furniture. It has a bottom shelf, a top shelf, and a middle adjustable shelf. We had just pitched it to a strong wholesale client of ours and they felt it was out of their price range. And I got thinking… here is a basic, simple, beautiful piece of handcrafted wood furniture, and I know we’re not asking too much for it – we’re really just covering our bases in expense here – but the question swirled “why can’t it be cheaper?” Then I quickly realized, yet again, ‘it’s solid wood!’ I often forget the quality of solid wood furniture when discussing Manchester Wood’s furniture.

We only use the highest quality resources here from the highest quality timber companies providing you (and us) the best wood to produce the solid furniture that I know my kids and grandkids will see at antique shops for years to come. That’s just the price we pay for making quality. That’s just the kind of ‘Made in USA’ item you receive when you buy from Manchester Wood. It has become increasingly hard to sell the larger items to wholesalers because of the competition, but we shouldn’t be silenced, and we won’t be. There is no question our furniture – for its quality – is affordably priced above and beyond competitors. However, for the most part we make simple American shaker style furniture that might sell quicker if it was cheap not affordable. But that’s not our business, that’s not our model, or the message of our leader who built this company we rest our hat on today. Manchester Wood is a family-run business that operates as families do, not as a corporation. We operate using 3 Principles – and you’re going to hear them a lot from us – Value, Honesty, and Community.

Our value is the dedication to solid wood when most competitors have moved to cheaper resources like plastics and lower grade wood (like particle board). We’ve remained American hardwood; that’s the kind-of solid wood that makes a grown man able to stand on a Manchester Wood TV tray table without anything happening. Try that at a box store emphasizing foreign quantity over American quality.

Our honesty speaks for itself. Including this blog and all the others we’ve ever written. From our mailers, product copy, site copy, instruction manuals, it’s all there. When you buy from us you’re buying ‘Made in USA’ furniture; you’re buying a piece of home, and that’s beyond the stamp. 

The community aspect is with this being a family business, not a corporation, and how it’s run like a family. It has ups and downs, twists and turns, emotions of all kinds. It’s life; and we strive to develop a loving, open environment for our employees and partners in making timeless solid wood furniture. Aside from our regular celebratory events at the mill we have a lot of other exciting news developing in the community we’d like to share with you, and that’ll come in due time as plans unfold.

So there it is, just my thoughts for today. To me, regardless of opinions, this is the price for buying solid wood furniture made in the USA from our family-run mill and retailer, Manchester Wood.

Much Gratitude,

Luke Eriksen

Manchester Wood: American Made Furniture

“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.

Heat of Summer: Finding Shade with our Equinox Rocker

As the summer heats up, finding a break from the sun and relaxing in the shade becomes a desired activity as a time to rest the body and bask in the beauty of such a day. Our Equinox Rocker has become a staple for outdoor patios and screened-in porches for your relaxed time in the shade at your home, beach or lake house.

Much like our Adirondack Chair, the Equinox Rocker, as well as our Equinox Chair and Benches are apart of our prized Outdoor Collection. Built with the same solid wood and American made quality with heirloom longevity that we pride ourselves on (read our press release on ‘American Jobs and Illegal Timber Importation…’ at bottom of post), this is a product like the rest at Manchester Wood with a value far past the purchase price.

A colorful array of finishes are provided as well for any décor choices you prefer with Navy Blue, Pure White, Lemon Yellow, Forest Green, Firehouse Red, Sky Blue, and Green Apple.

Currently, not all finishes are shown on our Equinox Rocker page, but can be viewed on our Adirondack Chair here. Our Lemon Yellow rocker can be seen pictured in this article as well.

When planning your furniture for that shaded, serene view, we hope you consider our Equinox Rocker to pass the time with a quality and country class that your future grandkids will hold dear.

Enjoy a rocking sway of relaxation with us this summer season.

To view our Equinox Rocker, click here.

To view our Adirondack Side Table (also pictured in photos in this article), click here.

Also, read more about American Jobs and Illegal Timber Importation in our press section by clicking here.

Table Surfaces

At Manchester Wood, we offer a variety of table surfaces that are great for every room and need in the house. Whether for work, entertainment, or storing the necessities, we have several designs and collections available to fit your needs.

 

Also, while you picnic or work while enjoying the sun we have table surfaces for the outdoors that partner well with our Adirondack Chairs, Equinox Chairs, or our other seating options in our Outdoor Collection.

When looking for a solid wood table, there isn’t a better source than Manchester Wood as we provide not only solid wood tables, but also solid wood furniture in many designs and collections.

Glass Top End Tables, Coffee Tables, our popular Chairside Storage Table, locally mined Slate Top End and Coffee Tables. Our shaker style shaker tables with Shaker End Tables and Coffee Tables, the Solid Cherry collection with solid cherry tables in many shapes and sizes to fit your desired table surface area.

We believe when it comes to table surfaces and furniture made in the USA, you’ll find everything at Manchester Wood. Let us provide you with wood furniture that will last a lifetime.

Video: Our Machining Process

Video: From Raw Lumber to the Early Crafting Stage of our Products

Chairside Storage Table: A Product Spotlight

Back in August we wrote about our Storage Solution items (Where do you put your stuff?) and how we live in an era where our “stuff” can become overwhelming. From Media Stands, Cabinets, Shelving, Desks, and Accent Tables, we’ve made an effort in producing the most stylish and practical items for any household.

When introducing the Chairside Storage Table, Manchester Wood felt the piece would be an instant success, and it has been since it was unveiled in Yankee Magazine last March. Selling beyond expectation. Produced from solid hardwood ash in either Golden Oak or Chestnut stain-resistant lacquer with it’s most unique feature in design.

The Chairside Storage Table has a flip-top in a concealing and sleek way that allows items to be stored inside the table; great for holding your remotes, reading glasses, or writing supplies.

It’s also narrower than most End Tables, which makes it great for apartments, condominiums, or rooms lacking space for a larger piece.

Check out the Chairside Storage Table now! Click here.

Manchester Wood Unveils First New Collection of 2011

We’re proud to announce our first new collection of 2011, our Glass Top Collection. These beautifully crafted American solid ash end tables, coffee tables, sofa tables, and display tables carry a showcasing glass top for your prized possessions with incredible durability and thoughtful design.

All pieces are available in our two traditional finish options, Chestnut or Golden Oak.

Currently a Glass Top End Table, Glass Top Square Coffee Table, Glass Top Rectangular Coffee Table, a Glass Top Sofa Table, and a Glass Top Display Coffee Table are now available.

We hope you enjoy these new items as we continue to craft products that help make home, we feel, an even more special place to be.

To view our new Glass Top Collection, click here.

Equinox Collection: A Holiday Spotlight

Mount Equinox in Southern Vermont overlooks Manchester and surrounding area towns with a captivating presence. It’s a perfect symbol of the New England outdoors — a “leaf-peepers” paradise with robust trees covered in bright colored leaves during the spring, summer and the always abundant, fall season. Even during these winter holidays, a beautiful stillness is found.

It should be no surprise that Manchester Wood has found great influence from this mountain and the other surrounding natural landmarks we exist with everyday.

It’s the impression it left that began our famously designed Adirondack Chair, and our most recent outdoor items, the Equinox Collection.

The Equinox Collection offers the Equinox Chair, Equinox Bench, and Equinox Rockers for your outdoor enjoyment. It’s been an instant favorite for many longtime customers of our Adirondack furniture line.

Although it’s too cold for most to be outside relaxing on furniture, our Adirondack Chairs have been a popular holiday gift year after year. We feel our Equinox Collection will follow with the great tradition of supplying quality outdoor (and indoor) gifts in this season of giving.

Classic Comfort with Room for Fun!

Traditional rooms in most homes call for a more enlivened spirit, touching on vintage as well as current styles. We mentioned in a previous post, placing comfort before formality has been a growing trend in the new century.

At Manchester Wood our ever-growing Contemporary Collection seeks the common ground between style and comfort for all when enjoying a room. Whether with our coffee, sofa, or end tables and media stands to present your entertainment systems, we trust you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Antique and old traditional lines influence many of our designs. When we add a new “updated” flavor to these items of influence it adds a familiarity, but more importantly, a forward outlook – an important aspect that furniture should carry in your home.

If your family is growing, many of these traditional formal living or dining rooms become “all-purpose” rooms, and we totally understand. It’s important for all of us to create! Especially for our youth, an all-purpose or “great” room makes perfect sense – a shared space for all to enjoy.

With our step stools, cabinets for storage, and children’s furniture, Manchester Wood prides itself on finding items that suite your needs for classic comfort in your home!