by Juanita | Mar 21, 2023 | Furniture Care, Georges Difference, Tables, Uncategorized
Make traditions
Picture this. The air is filled with lively conversations. Relatives from far and wide congregate to celebrate the holidays. Ladies work in the kitchen to prepare a meal worthy of kings, while the men argue whether the refs made a fair call. Whatever the tradition in your family household, one thing is crucial. Having a table capable of seating everyone. Not only that, but also having table leaves to ensure each person will have a place to set their plate.
Where to storage table leaves
Now, it is common knowledge to those who own extensions tables that storage for these wooden leaves is a necessity. Many resort to slipping them beneath beds or stuffing them into cramped closets, but for solid hardwood leaves, these conditions are not ideal. What is more uncommon knowledge is that wooden boards need to breath, sort of like living creatures do, but not in the same capacity. People and animals breath air to oxygenate their blood and keep their body functioning. Wooden leaves, on the other hand, breath to regulate their moisture levels and prevent mold from setting into the grain. As an added layer of protection against excess moisture, we always coat both sides of the leave with a catalyzed conversion varnish. Furthermore, leaves should be stored upright to prevent bowing and warping from gravity’s pull. You may be thinking, no-where in my house would meet those parameters. Should you simply give up and compromise with the previously explained methods? Luckily for you, we’ve already come up with the solution so you don’t have to.
Table leaf storage solution
In the early stages of extension table development, the issue of leaf storage quickly rose to the forefront of our minds. We knew the methods people had employed in the past. Some manufacturers even built storage areas within the table itself, but that kind of storage is limited. Instead, we took what we knew about proper leaf care and, after testing different prototypes, landed on a revolutionary piece of furniture so unique that it created a category of its own. The leaf storage. We designed this new piece of furniture to meet every requirement set in front of us. The leaf storage is built with grooves at the top and bottom to hold the boards in a vertical position and space them out an inch apart to allow air to flow freely. Where might you put these storage boxes, you may ask? Well, we have three designs, each one tailored to fit the needs of your household.
Georges leaf storage options
- Our standard design is a Finished Leaf Storage with solid panels on each side. The front and back are left open so you can show your beautiful leaves off to your friends even when not in use
- Perhaps you don’t favor seeing your tables leaves twenty-four seven and would rather have a piece of furniture that fits in perfectly with your buffet, server, or hutch? That’s where our Deluxe Leaf Storage Cabinet comes into play. Aside from its fancier design, it incorporates a wooden raised panel door that hides your leaves for a clean, organized look.
- No room in your dining room for a deluxe leaf storage cabinet or finished leaf storage, we’ve got you covered. At no extra charge, we’ll send an unfinished leaf storage frame along with your table set purchase that functions identically to the previous two, but is meant to be kept hidden from sight.
As you are pondering your next table with leaves purchase, always remember the importance of proper leaf storage to maintain them for generations to come. It’s quite simple. Our solution for leaf storage will relieve your mind as you relax knowing your leaves are receiving the best treatment possible. Whatever design you choose, you’re certain to love your new piece of furniture.
by Juanita | Feb 2, 2023 | customer experience, Customization, Georges Difference, Tables
Gambinos recently came back to custom design a small server to aid in serving their guests during family gatherings. During their recent visit we asked, “How did you first find out about us and our showroom of handmade furniture.” Frank was eager to share.
Trying to Find Quality
For years as a kid, Frank came with his family to Lancaster County to enjoy the unique experiences the county has to offer. Frank and Louisa began their search for a dining table set around the Staten Island area. All they found was high prices for such poor quality. Frustrated they asked friends and family for suggestions of where else to look. His father remembered Lancaster County and the quality craftsmanship that Lancaster is known to produce.
B&B Inn Keeper Recommendation
Frank and Louisa spent 4 days in Lancaster, exploring the numerous options. At breakfast one morning, the B&B Inn keepers, Ann and Janice of Kings Cottage Inn shared their knowledge of the furniture stores in Lancaster County.
“Looking for furniture? You must go to Georges Furniture. It’s our favorite custom handcrafted furniture maker.”
Thrilled with the recommendation, the Gambinos found Georges Furniture. A small woodshop, nestled in the countryside on the west side of Lancaster County. Ann and Janice are their “go to” resource for recommendations when looking for places to shop in Lancaster County – Best place for quilts, furniture, and antiques, often places away from the busy tourist area in the quiet farmland.
Abundant Options
After discussing the many options Offered at Georges, their heads were spinning with the ability to create a table set made the exact size, quality and look they wanted. Louisa could not wait to receive the table set and seat everyone around one table. The table fit their space, one that started at 6 feet when closed and extended to 14 feet. Today, their family has already exceeded the length of the table. However, the room size is also limited.
Long Rolling Pin
Another unique purchase was a long rolling pin. Louisa enjoys making homemade bread, a recipe that her father brought from Italy and a family tradition. The 32” rolling pin works hard, especially around the holidays when Louisa makes 3 batches of bread for her growing family.
Georges Difference
Frank remembers weighing the differences between another furniture store and George’s. Several positives that sold them on George’s Furniture is that George’s delivers their furniture to their Staten Island home. You can also see where the furniture is made and meet the craftsman at the same location as the furniture store. Chris delivered the large 72×48, 5 leg extension table, 8 table leaves, finished leaf storage and 8 chairs, the legs of the table needed to be removed so that the table could get into the house.
The guests amazed by small details.
As a recent guest helped Frank and Louisa put the 8 table leaves back in the lovely wooden leaf holder, they noticed Georges Furniture’s branding logo, craftsman’s signature, date, and stain number on the top section of the center table leg.
“Wow you don’t see the craftsman’s signature, business logo, and date on furniture.”
Each piece of furniture is made by one craftsman and the signature is found on the inside of the right-side drawer, the back of cabinet, top of center table legs or under the seat of a dining chair.
Take the recommendation from the Gambino’s and explore what quality, handcrafted, made your way furniture looks like in your home. See the craftsmen taking special care to make it the right way. Share your ideas with our expert designers at our showroom in Lancaster County, PA
by Juanita | Dec 2, 2022 | Entertainment Centers, Georges Difference, Hutch, Office
Hutches Exceeds Expectations
So, you’ve decided that you need storage space for your collection of silverware and fine dinning plates for special occasions. Hutches are a wonderful way to store your dinning essentials and display your fine china, keeping them safe until the entire family is over for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. When the festivities are over, the dishes and silverware are cleaned and returned to the hutch for display until the next event. No matter your yearly customs, a hutch serves dutifully as a pivotal part of your dinning experience. With this much riding on one piece of furniture, it’s no secret that your hutch must be up to the task. Here are several ways George’s hutches soar above expectations.
100% Pennsylvania Hardwood
Every piece of furniture we make is sourced from 100% solid, Pennsylvanian hardwood. The freshly harvested logs are cut into board and dried, then delivered to our woodshop. Our craftsmen select the boards they need and refine them to precise measurements using a variety of machines ranging from small hand-sanders and routers to large planers and table-saws. Each craftsman follows a time-proven construction method to ensure their piece achieves unmatched strength and sturdiness.
Solid Hard Wood Backing
We construct the back of our hutches with the same hardwood used on the rest of the piece. Each back panel is connected together via a tongue and groove system to allow the wood to expand and contract while maintaining its strength. We also employ a method known as book matching to our back panels. In this method, a solid piece of wood is cut in half, opened up like a butterfly wing, with the opposing grains matched together to give a beautiful, transition from panel to panel. Backing explained video
Cove Crown – a Functional Part
To most manufacturers, the coved crown, the top rim of the hutch, curios and bookcases extends above the top and serves only to enhance the furniture’s appearance. We hate wasted space. To combat this issue, the roof of our cabinets meet the rim of the coved crown, turning that wasted space into functional storage. To finish it off, we fill in the small crevice between the cabinet roof and the coved crown with extra pieces of wood, giving the top a smooth, complete appearance, and making your chore of dusting a walk in the park. See Video of Cove Crown construction.
Solid Drawer Construction, Sturdy Hardware
Solid Hardwood drawer bottoms and sides. Signature and date written inside drawer.
Each drawer is constructed using all solid hardwood. Smaller pieces of wood from the table saw scrap pile are utilized and glued together to make the bottom and side of our drawers. See Video. Each drawer is constructed with high-quality, stainless-steel hardware. This ensures your drawers will endure day-to-day use and slide smoothly for decades to come.
Includes Curios, Bookcases, Entertainment Centers
The quality of craftsmen ship also extends into all cabinet construction such as Curios, Bookcases, and Entertainment centers. The use of all solid hardwood, coved crown design, water-resistant finish and signed/dated by craftsman is evident in each heirloom quality furniture made at George’s Furniture.
Another ingenious design, specific to our curio cabinets, is the inclusion of side doors. As an added bonus, our shelves also come with precut plate grooves, perfect for displaying your favorite platters.
Customize Your Way
Additionally, our hutches come in many different designs and storage arrangements to meet your needs. If you can’t find one that is exactly what you want, we will work with you to design your own custom piece. We work with customers on a regular basis to bring their vision to reality.
Need Storage Only – Try a Buffet
If you have no need for the extra display up top, perhaps a buffet is what you need. It provides the same storage and counter space as a hutch without occupying your entire wall. Custom tailor your hutch, buffet, corner cupboard, curio, dry sink, server, pie safe, or serving cart to meet your specific needs.
Walnut Blend on Table with clear water resistant finish repelling water.
Water-resistant Protection
Once your piece of furniture is completed, our dedicated master sprayer applies a catalyzed conversion varnish to every surface so you don’t have to worry about water marks distorting the beautiful grain you’ve grown to love. See Spraying video
Hidden Craftsman’s Signature and Date
Once your piece is complete, the craftsman signs and dates it. The signature can be found on the bottom of the top drawer on the right side of the hutch and on the back. This gives you the satisfaction of knowing your piece of furniture was built from start to finish by one master craftsman.
Whether you are looking for hutch, buffet or serving cart, check out Georges Furniture, where dreams come true. Visit our furniture store, out in the quiet countryside of Lancaster County and explore the abundant options of custom solid hardwood furniture designed to exceed your expectations for decades to come.
by Juanita | Oct 20, 2022 | bedroom, customer experience, Entertainment Centers, Georges Difference, Uncategorized
The Beast
On a recent trip to Chantilly, VA, for a Capital Fair Craft Show, we combined a delivery to the Rasnake family. The entertainment center, affectionally named the Beast, designed to hold a turn table, vinyl records, CD’s, CD player and other audio equipment. The Beast was a heavy 72.25″ Long x 25.5″- 26″ deep x 48″ high made from solid red oak. Red oak is 15% heavier than cherry or walnut. We packed the beast with other craft show items allowing for an easy removal out the side door. Once at the Rasnake’s house, we accessed the back door at ground level. It took 5 people to carefully pull it out of the van, in through a door and set on the floor for a break. We used carpet sliders to aid in pushing the unit through another door to its destination. Jeff and Sandee were excited to add another piece of George’s Furniture to their growing number of quality hand crafted heirlooms.
In The Beginning
It all started when Jeff and Sandee came to Lancaster County over 20 years ago. During their trip north, they stopped at an antique refinished furniture store. A beautiful bed set caught their eye and was just what they were looking for. That night at a hotel they spotted a brochure in the hotel lobby about a small furniture store and wood shop in Marietta, PA – “Georges Woodcrafts”. George greeted them and his love for building solid wood furniture spilled over. Jeff had grown up with a Grandfather that worked with wood but when he met George he stated:
“Wow I thought I knew a lot about wood working but after spending hours that day with George, my wood knowledge exploded. I immediately saw the quality of construction and the ability to custom tailor my furniture to my desires was over whelming”.
Meeting a Master Craftsman
The Rasnakes spent many hours that first day at George’s showroom. George explained the practice of wood kilns using high heat for drying wood and why he prefers to slow dry wood which is less stressful on the wood. Sometimes taking 2 years to dry the wood. George shared the reasoning for his unique design of the spindle back dining chairs. The strength surpasses others with its 8-sided rungs perfectly angled into a thick contoured seat. The multiple rungs joining to the seat gives the chair extra strength rather than relying on one long back/legs piece joined to the seat (one back joint). The design of an engineer. When asked if George would build a ladder back chair, he said that he could not put his name on it because he didn’t think it would hold up.
“Georges Furniture is like no other. Built to last a lifetime and longer. “America’s heirlooms” today. We hope our children and grandchildren will cherish it all as much as we do after we are gone.” -Sandee
When Jeff presented a sketch of his idea for a TV stand, George recommended changing the height to the same height of a dresser. Jeff was grateful for the advice, and it turned out to be a very good recommendation. During their visit, the phone rang, and Jeff remembers overhearing a question asked by the caller. “Do you work in pine wood? George’s reply was that word “Pine” is a bad word around quality handcrafted furniture makers. Pine does not stand up to the test of time.”
Why protect all surfaces?
Walnut Blend on Table with clear water resistant finish repelling water.
A difference in George’s furniture. A water-resistant finish is sprayed on all surfaces which protects the wood unlike the “old school way” of covering only the parts that are seen. George explained the importance of covering all surfaces helping the moisture to exchange equally in all parts of the furniture. Moisture changes when the weather changes. Solid wood breathes. If one surface is protected and another is not, the moisture exchange will be different causing the wood to expand and contract at different rates. It also protects the furniture from water getting caught under the finish, unable to escape, causing the white water marks. All parts are solid wood not just the visible surfaces.
Practical and engineered with precision
When George was designing a new piece of furniture, he was also thinking about how to make the furniture stronger and more durable. He kept the future in mind and asked questions to help his customers think about the future and how their needs might change. It’s easier to change a design before they build it then to remodel it later. George had a way of helping people find the best fit in his
rocking chairs. 7 different sizes are available depending on a person’s size and structure. Jeff remembers George picking the best size for him and no other rocker fit better.
House is full
Over the 20 years, Jeff and Sandee have added to their collection. Almost every room is enhanced by a piece of George’s Furniture. During that time, they purchased two bedroom sets, bookcases, two desks, jewelry box and quilt stand. The most cherished piece is a beautiful cherry apartment-size drop leaf table.
“We return to Marietta and George’s year after year purchasing everything from a kitchen table and chairs to our last addition the a 6ft by 2 ft oak entertainment center, nicknamed “Beast” by the craftsman who built it because of it’s size and weight. We love it.” -Sandee.
Jeff and Sandee love to share their furniture with friends and family that visit their home. Their niece purchased her cherry dining table, leaves and a bench in 2003. We welcome everyone to come and see what the Rasnakes found over 20 years ago when they visited George’s wood shop. See furniture construction in our wood shop and browse the two large showrooms. The quality speaks for itself.
How to spot Quality
To help you start this process to high quality, handcrafted furniture, we created this handy checklist to spot high-quality furniture. Download the checklist Here so you know what to avoid in your furniture shopping. Then call us when you are ready to design your own custom, handcrafted piece.
by Juanita | Aug 27, 2022 | Ava Lee's History Corner, Coffee End Table, customer experience, Forestry Management, Uncategorized
Recently Carl and Chris Geeseman returned to our showroom after three decades of enjoying the furniture built by George. Like so many of our customers, they wanted to share the memories of George. The memories started back in the 1970’s. Carl worked for Highspire lumber yard. Lumber yard typically cut the trees in the forest and transport them to a sawmill. They are looking for straight long trees. A good veneer log needs to be clear of bark, metal, knots, and blemishes.
Forgotten hammer
Metal is a big concern for logs that come from a residential area where metal hardware, bullets or even a forgotten metal screwdriver, hammer or animal trap discarded in the fork of a tree. Each year the tree grows a metal object will become embedded into the wood and unable to be withdrawn. The metal object will leave a scar and their minerals will seep into the wood. Not only does metal scar the wood it destroys.
Scars and destroys
Along comes a saw blade, cuts through the metal, or goes around the hook and the expensive blade loses its teeth or even destroyed. Metal can shut down a sawmill resulting a loss of time and money. Bandsaw blades are 12 feet long and 1 ft wide. They are razor thin and thousands of dollars. Lumber jacks look at the outside bark for marks or scars that shows healing from metal objects or use metal detectors to find metal. Think twice before hooking a wash line, swing, or sign to a tree. They are alive and growing.
George’s treasure pile
Highspire lumber piled their cut offs like bark, knots, rotten wood etc. aside and sold the straight boards to their customers. George loved to come and rummage through the cut off pile looking for unique knots, grain twists, chain saw wedges, rotten tree butts and odd shaped pieces of wood for his next project. Walnut and cherry were his favorite. Some cross cuts turned into coffee tables, end tables, Lamp bases, or even crosscut critters (a crosscut with a hole in the middle from where the hollow tree healed itself.)
Filling the House
Carl and Chris Geeseman started their furniture collection in 1980’s with a table set, dry sink and hutch. Next a bedroom set. Later as the family grew it was time for the kids’ room, a single bed, dresser and child’s play table and chairs. Then another bed, chest of drawers and nightstands. Next it was dad’s turn with a nice rolltop desk with finished back and swivel desk chair. As the family grew so did the table. Time to order more table leaves.
Resourceful Brothers
During family get togethers Carl and his brother would haul their table leaves to the other’s house. Since both brothers had tables from George’s, the table leaves fit together nicely. A curious situation happened. I discovered a leaf storage box with two different colored table leaves in our shop. The two brothers completed their 8-leaf table set by ordering 4 leaves each. Now the hassle of loading up the table leaves in the car was no longer needed. All 29 people crowd around the table and enjoy the comfort of family. A fun game the Geeseman children play is lining up the little child’s chairs and playing school bus.
Sharing the quality
That is not all the furniture in the Geeseman household. 2 high chairs served the growing family. Chris said that their kids sat in the high chairs so long until they no longer fit in between the arms. Chris stopped using the high chairs when she got tired explaining to the kid’s friends why the kids still sat in high chairs. The high chairs have endured 3 kids, and 5 grandchildren. Other items like rocking chairs (child and adult), quilt rack, cradle, Jewelry box, benches and round end table found their way into the home. There is room for more. Maybe a new bed.
Explore, Watch and Design
Join the Geeseman family and many customers over the 50+ years in their experience with Georges fine craftsmen and quality handcrafted furniture. Everyone worked with our designers to create the perfect piece that meets every need and endures hard use of family and friends. Begin creating your unique living space, designed, and built right in Lancaster County, PA. Explore ideas on our website, watch the wood shop in action (YouTube) and see what possibilities await discovery.
In the mean time, we have created this handy checklist on how to spot high-quality furniture. Down the checklist here so you know what to avoid in your furniture shopping. An informed mind will bring great results.
Download your Guide to High-Quality Furniture
