by Juanita | Feb 24, 2022 | Accessories, bedroom, customer experience, Customization, George's Furniture, Georges Difference, Gifts
5 Reasons High Quality Wood Furniture Lasts You Forever
Investing in high-quality wood furniture might feel out of reach until you realize that it is not just an investment in value but in time & in family memories. Plus, with the way we do it at George’s Furniture, you have control & input on every step of the process.
Yes, we always start with an initial consult when you can share your biggest dreams with us & we craft a design that brings your desire to life. Then, you can actually visit our woodshop in Lancaster PA while our expert craftsmen assemble, plane & stain the wood. Within weeks, after construction begins, you have your brand new, expertly crafted solid wood kitchen table or bedroom suite to enjoy in your own home for years. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Starting with our choice of lumber, today you will learn 5 reasons high quality wood furniture can last your family forever.
#1. Start with premium wood.
Choosing a premium hardwood gives you strong material when designing your custom handcrafted piece. We have worked with Bingaman Lumber for years. We love working with them to get our customers premium Pennsylvania hardwoods like black walnut, cherry, & red oak. Maple hardwood is also a popular choice.
#2. Use it in any room.
You might find this hard to believe but every room in your home could use a custom handcrafted piece of solid wood furniture. Of course, there are the obvious choices like a solid wood kitchen table or a bedroom set of a dresser, nightstand & chest of drawers. But George actually started our company when he built the first non-tipping rocking chair. Yes, he tipped over in a rocking chair when he was young. That inspired him to build a rocking chair with enough support & balance that it would not tip over.
Even for professional use, we have constructed office furniture, executive desks & conference tables (Did you read about the time we constructed a table for the Pentagon?). We also assemble bed frames & headboards, even such creative & unexpected pieces as dog kennels, instrument cases, & marble tracks. Whatever your creative vision is, we can bring it to life (because there is a good chance we already have)!
#3. Protect it from the elements (& fingerprints).
We actually take great care to seal & finish each of our solid wood pieces with a durable, high-quality finish. This brings out the beautiful color & grain of the wood & makes it so much easier for you to care for it. The finish is actually heat and water-resistant. If you must polish your furniture, for example to remove fingerprints, we recommend a polish like Old English Lemon Oil. Ultimately, investing in our high-quality process protects your furniture from the wear & tear which often strains lesser quality furniture.
#4. Make memories with your family.
Cyrus & Florence Keefer came to us looking for a solid wood kitchen table that could fit their family for dinners, game nights & family meetings. One of the most beautiful parts of their story is how Lori, their daughter, brought the kitchen table into her home with all the cherished memories of her childhood. Ultimately, Lori & her husband passed on the table to her daughter Karly, who gave the table a cherished place in her townhome.
And this is only one story! We have so many more from so many beloved customers & their families! Read more at George’s Furniture Reviews
#5. Endure heavy-duty wear & tear for years.
Truth be told, our customers seem to love this feature the most… that their pieces still hold up over years of wear & tear. Once customers find George’s furniture, they never want to let us go. The quality and craftsmanship outshine all other furniture available.
In fact, as one of our repeat customers, Ches, who first came to us over 20 years ago, has given us raving reviews every time.
“I have done A LOT of business with George’s Woodcrafts in the past, and always used you for any projects that I have. I would match your workmanship 1:1 against anyone.
I truly believe that you are the ELITE of all wood craftsmen and women in the USA.
I have always had an eye for detail, as I must in my business and was overwhelmed with beauty when I first saw George’s workmanship and perfectionistic approaches to everything.
Your craftsmanship has caught my eye over 20 years ago when placing my 1st order, and still is just as beautiful to me now as it was then. I have had a few custom jobs, along with fully furnishing 2 houses with all your items.
George delivered a truckload of furniture to me in Media PA himself. At that time, he said that it was the largest delivery that he has ever made. It was my 1st house in Media, PA (in Broomall township). I bought EVERYTHING from Georges Woodcrafts.
We took a ride to visit the following weekend after knowing that we would NEVER see anything to match the quality we just saw at George’s. We placed orders for EVERY single piece of furniture needed.
If it was made from wood, you guys made it for us.
We have a custom TV stand he built from a picture I found in a magazine. It’s a 3 piece unit. It was extremely heavy. George and I unloaded EVERYTHING together. I had a few helpers, as some of the pieces were extremely large.”
Whether it is a minor job or filling a home, George’s designers and craftsmen are ready to listen and build furniture you will cherish for a lifetime. Visit today in Marietta, PA or explore Georgesfurniturepa.com and begin your life living with quality handcrafted furniture, made your way.
How to spot Quality Furniture
To help you in your designing brainstorm, we have created a handy checklist on how to spot high-quality furniture. Download the checklist here so you know what to avoid in your furniture shopping. Then give us a call when you are ready to design your next custom, handcrafted piece of solid wood furniture.
by Juanita | Sep 26, 2020 | Ava Lee's History Corner, customer experience, George's Furniture
It all started when Bob and Rachel visited their friend’s home. They noticed beautiful furniture skillfully placed around the living space. Furniture of this quality is hard to find. However, after years of searching, they finally found it right in their friends home. When questioned where the beautiful furniture came from, their friends ecstatically shared the journey that ended at George’s Furniture, Marietta, PA.
Journey begins
Bob had a remodeling project scheduled. After four years the new addition neared completion. Subsequently, they planned a trip to Lancaster County. A beautiful drive from Vermont to Pennsylvania brought Bob and Rachel to George’s Furniture’s showrooms and the wood working shop. During a wood shop tour, Bob and Rachel saw the craftsmen skillfully creating quality heirlooms. Finally they knew this was the birthplace of their new dining room furniture.
Built your way
They met with Anthony and started the journey of designing their desired dining space. After the order was placed and the waiting began. As an added benefit, Anthony sent several pictures of their furniture progression through the wood shop in the different build stages.
Bob quotes,
“Anthony did a fantastic job of working with us patiently while we determined what we wanted even to the point of thinking outside the box of choices to design the legs of the hall tree to match the table legs.”
Careful Delivery
Upon completion, the delivery personnel carefully blanket wrapped the furniture and skillfully placed it in the van for its trip to Vermont. A warm and excited reception greeted Chris and Juanita after a long 8 hour trip in the delivery van. Several neighbors eagerly waited, ready with open arms to transport the table, chairs, table leaf storage, large hutch, buffet, hall tree and 2 non-tip rocking chairs into the house.
“We knew the kind of quality we could expect but when the dining room furniture arrived, we were blown away by the quality of each piece individually and how the whole room of furniture fit together.”
Quality on Display
Rachel’s excitement exploded as she shared their journey discovering George’s Furniture. She looks forward to gathering everyone around the same table in their newly remodeled dining room. Bob and Rachel joined the family of George’s satisfied customer that can’t contain their excitement and love for their furniture. Join the family and create you next new piece of furniture. Come and see where your furniture is built or contact us to started the journey.
by Juanita | Aug 29, 2020 | Accessories, Ava Lee's History Corner, customer experience, George's Furniture, Gifts, Tables
Quality discovered
The search for furniture is a common need for people all over the America and beyond. Some are looking for furniture that will only last for several years while others are seeking furniture that will be heirlooms and will shine the quality for years to come. The search for the highest quality, solid, hardwood furniture made in America led Linda and Ed Riffert to Lancaster County, PA. After several years of looking in many furniture stores and experiencing disappointment of the quality, they nearly gave up. Is quality furniture still being made these days?
It’s Worth the Wait
During a visit to Kitchen Kettle, Intercourse, PA, they discovered a brochure from George’s Furniture. They followed their GPS clear across Lancaster County, through the cornfields, away from the tourist area and the heavy traffic. It seemed so far away. The GPS said they arrived, but where was the showroom. To Linda’s delight, several small signs stating, “George’s Furniture.” “Straight Ahead”. “It is worth the wait” “Where dreams come true.” greeted them as they made their final journey to the wood shop and showrooms.
Quality Furniture discovered
Finally, a place where quality furniture is made and you can even see it being constructed in the wood shop.
The quality was astounding. Ed and Linda worked with George and purchased a large oak corner cupboard for their house. A new cascading LED light is now shining the beautiful grain on Ed’s desk.
Craft Show findings
The Rifferts love attending craft shows and seeing quality items. They continue to stop by our stand at the Kutztown Folk Festival, Heart of Lancaster and the numerous Sugarloaf Shows. They love sharing their experience with George’s Furniture to people at the shows. I enjoy watching their excitement as they share about finding quality furniture.
Sharing with others
Quality is meant to be shared. Recently the Rifferts brought their daughter and son-in-law into the showroom to assist in their new dining table. Quality is passing to the next generation. Come and experience the furniture made by one craftsman while you watch. Contact us or visit our website for ideas of a new heirloom.
by Juanita | Nov 8, 2019 | Ava Lee's History Corner, Furniture Care
Commitment to Quality
From the beginning, George’s Furniture is committed to create quality, hardwood furniture, crafted by a single craftsman and safely delivered to the customer’s home. As a child, I heard George lament over customers requests to cut costs by utilizing a commercial delivery service. As a result, the furniture arrived in poor condition. Nothing matches the quality of furniture delivered and assembled by individuals who understand its design.
A typical delivery includes transportation from George’s Furniture to the customer’s home. The cost per mile includes assistance of George’s delivery driver. The customer will provide at least one individual to help carry furniture into the home. Additional delivery personnel can be requested at an additional cost.
Affordable Safe Delivery by George’s Personnel
George’s Furniture groups deliveries, going to a similar region, together to help customers share delivery costs. While viewing one of George’s 15 passenger vans holding 4-5 separate orders headed for a region, one person commented, “That looks like a tight fitting puzzle.” Yes, each piece is blanket wrapped and packed with care. During difficult corner maneuvers, desks and other large pieces are placed on their sides, protected by thick furniture blankets and escorted to their desired location.
Up Elevators, Over Balconies
Over the past 45 years of delivering furniture, we have encountered challenging situations navigating around unique house layouts. Creativity, persistence and strong skills in spatial relations served us well, resulting in satisfied customers. One challenging occasion, an executive desk was delivered to a customer’s home. Although George’s Furniture is designed to fit through a standard 30” door, this door was narrower. The delivery/craftsman personnel quickly ascertained that the feet could unscrew from the desk and the base placed on its side to maneuver into the office. A few minutes later, the reassembled desk brought delight of another satisfied customer.
A customer living Manhattan purchased two hutches. The flexibility built into George’s Furniture paid off when the elevator servicing the multi-story building was small. George’s design allowed the hutch tops to be disassembled from the bases. Each of the four sections fit snugly into the elevator. After 4 trips up and down the elevator, all parts arrived safely to the apartment. George’s delivery man secured the screws between the Hutch’s top and bottom as the delighted customer viewed the new edition.
Flexible designs inspired
Building flexible designs is a work in progress. During the early 1970’s, George designed a king size poster canopy bed. Upon delivery to her home, it was discovered that the hallways were too small to maneuver the large bed into the bedroom. She was so taken by its design that she stated, “I’ll just keep the bed and build a bedroom around it.” Following this experience, George redesigned the structure, allowing the bed to be a designed in smaller sections without compromising the strength of the bed.
An Ounce of Prevention….Measure
George’s delivery personnel are creative, however they do not know the dimensions of your home. Please measure all hallways, rooms and stairways along the path to the desired destination. I recall stories of a desk or bed entering a house over a outside balcony because the custom piece would not fit through the interior hallways or up the steep narrow stair steps. Pieces can be designed with increased flexibility, but these details should be discussed during the design process. George’s Furniture designers work hard to take all aspects into consideration when working along side our customers, Contact us to begin the design of your next new piece of furniture.
by Juanita | Apr 19, 2019 | Customization, George's Furniture
Amish Communities
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana are home to the largest Amish Communities in the United States. The Amish lifestyle consists of plain clothes, horse and buggy, no electricity, one-room schoolhouses, and farming. Over the years they developed a reputation for their quality quilts, furniture, baked goods, and produce. In fact, in 2015, about 8.34 million visitors to Lancaster County directly spent $1.97 billion, creating a total tourism impact of $2.64 billion in the county.
Quality Compromised
Over time, marketing replaced craftsmanship. While a few Amish craftsmen are still producing quality furniture, many stores market Amish furniture devoid of the quality buyers expect. As the perception of the quality Amish furniture increases, the natural result is an increase in demand. This increase brought new systems and processes which dropped the quality of the product. They compromised when materials such as cheaper stains, protective coatings, glue, or hardware. They left the old process of construction behind while newer methods of cheap assembly take over. These newer methods, which use assembly lines and computerized machines, compromise excellence for the convenience of efficiency. Consequently, the quality of hardwood furniture is lost along with the buyers ability to customize their product.
Furniture Experts
Furniture experts pinpoint pieces displaying true quality, handmade Amish furniture. The untrained eye, however, sees little or no distinction. While Amish craftsmen are talented, rarely is the resulting piece considered by furniture experts as constructed by a Master Craftsman. Why does this matter? Furniture crafted by a Master Craftsman ultimately become heirlooms.
Master Craftsmen
Heirlooms are pieces constructed to withstand the test of time and passed down to the next generation.
Furniture designed, crafted, and assembled by master craftsmen endure the normal wear and tear of daily life. While George’s craftsmen are not Amish furniture makers, we are Master Craftsmen. George’s master craftsmen build each piece to suit the needs of the buyer now and in the future. Forever cherished assets.
George’s Difference
At George’s Furniture, one craftsman uniquely crafted each piece – signed and dated. 100% Pennsylvania hardwood construction—no plywood here! Each item is built-to-order, custom made to your specifications. Visit our showrooms and see the furniture manufacturing! Time-tested construction for over 50 years…that’s the George’s difference.