Something different is being handcrafted in Ohio’s Amish Country at Frontier Rustic Furniture
By Jennifer Kneuss
Stepping into Frontier Rustic Furniture, visitors quickly realize that this is not your typical Amish furniture store. Soaring rafters and a hand hewn log cabin atmosphere showcase several trophy mounts brought back from owner Joe Miller’s numerous hunting excursions, but the eyes are quickly drawn away from those to the even more spectacular handmade, rustic furniture pieces that are carefully displayed around the showroom.
“We decided we wanted to put up a shop, and have a showroom here,” said Miller’s wife, Miriam. “It’s mostly made by family. ”The one-of-a-kind furniture pieces and accessories are a feast for the eyes. Beautiful hickory rockers, some with wooden seats and others upholstered, are side-by-side with custom pieces featuring wrought iron and original works of metal art. At the heart of the main showroom is a massive rustic wood log bed that looks like a family heirloom to be passed down for generations, graced with a hand pieced quilt.
“A lot of this I design myself,” explained Joe Miller. “Our plans are to try to be different, especially in the wrought iron line of furniture and accessories. We’re also starting to get into an upholstered hickory line of furniture.”
Miller motions to the huge hickory bed, then also points out the extremely sturdy bunk beds in the next room. “The main thing is the difference in our furniture. We mix logs, hickory, custom hickory chairs, upholstered chairs and wrought iron. We also like to use the unique combination of hickory that still has some of the bark on it.”
Miller is especially proud of the attention to detail in the pieces. “Look at these hand hewed edges on the tables and benches,” he remarked.
The showroom is open and spacious, inviting its visitors to touch and feel the heft and strength of the wood and run their hands along smooth finishes. A sleek maple and walnut checkerboard themed coffee table provides an example of Miller’s love of mixing and matching different types of woods and metals. Full bedroom suites, dining tables, desks, table and chair sets, bars and barstools offer customers the very best in craftsmanship. Littler customers are delighted with the tiny hickory tables and chairs and pint-sized hickory rockers. There are also hall trees, end tables, and other accessories on display.
“A lot of what we do is provide custom-made furniture,” said Miller. “People can come in and tell us what they wnt for their home.”
One special product the Millers carry is a line of meticulously handcrafted and signed baskets. What makes these special is that they are made by Miriam Miller’s grandfather, Roy Miller, who is 86 years old. The baskets appear to be made by someone with years of experience, but Miriam explained that her grandfather took up basketmaking when he could no longer do heavy carpentry work. “Grandpa has only been making baskets for two years,” she exclaimed. “He has the gift.”
The Millers, along with their four young daughters, just recently opened Frontier Rustic Furniture, but their customer base is quickly growing. They also offer delivery and shipping services, and welcome visitors to their unique showroom at 6101 County Road 68, Millersburg. Frontier Rustic Furniture can be reached at 330-674-9709.
