Feature Story : Stone Barn Furnishings

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By Dave Mast

MT. HOPE - Traveling along scenic St. Rt. 241 through the Heart of Amish Country in Holmes County, Ohio, one can be enraptured by the beautiful look of the two-story stone building just north of Mt. Hope. In a day of cookie-cutter buildings, Stone Barn truly beckons with its elegance and style, as well as its rustic appeal.

But as enticing as it is from the outside, what is even more spectacular is what is on the inside. Stone Barn features over two floors of Amish made hardwood furniture and is the perfect source for home accents, gifts, mattresses, upholstered and hardwood furniture, and just about anything that can and will make your home or office special and unique.

Whether you are planning to redecorate and outfit an entire home or you are looking for that one perfect piece to finish out your favorite room at home, you can find what you need in Stone Barn's complete line of heirloom furnishings, whether at the store at Mt. Hope or on-line.

Stone Barn Furnishings, Inc. is a family owned and operated store located in the heart of the largest Amish population in the world. Ron Clark purchased Amish Trading Co. of Millersburg in June of 2001, and since then his three children, Angie (and husband Brian), Eric and Steve have all been instrumental in the continuation of the quality-driven store Ron began. While Angie, Brian and Steve operate the Stone Barn, Eric is busy at Hopewood, which manufactures much of furniture and accessories for the store.

When they began construction in Mt. Hope, Ron wanted the new store to be built in an old barn, and builder Roy Yoder constructed the stone look which created the namesake of the company.

But even before they began in earnest, the family wasn't sure if they would be a retail furnishings store. But it did make sense because they were dealing with retail stores who were supplying furniture to other businesses. So, why not create an outlet of their own, in which they could act as a retail store themselves. Thus began Stone Barn Furnishings, which has evolved into one of Holmes County's most diversified furniture and accessories stores.

Upon arrival at Stone Barn, there are plenty of avenues to pursue within the massive 10,000 square-foot showroom located just north of Mt. Hope, Ohio. The gallery features two floors filled with heirloom quality furniture, home accents and gifts, which is why Miller believes that while many may come in search of furniture, the diversity of home accents and furnishings - including a large amount of outdoors items - is why many will return time and again. "Furnishings encompasses everything we have here," said Angie Miller. "We're more than just a furniture store. We have a wide range of accessories like rugs, cards, pictures, and outdoor accessories. We recently began carrying Telescope Casual Furniture, which is one of the top-line outdoors outfits. It's something that people have asked us about, and even though it isn't cheap, it is built to last, and people really seem to look for it."

Creating a product that they put their name on wasn't something that the company lightly. Quality and care went into each piece of Amish-crafted furniture and all of the items in store. "Our furniture goes through such a rigorous inspection before it gets put on the floor," said Miller. "We inspect absolutely everything before we put our name on it."

But the staff and ownership at Stone Barn doesn't want to be put on a pedestal. They simply want to create something beautiful and special that will meet the needs of anyone who steps through their door. "We simply want our quality and our product to speak for itself," said Miller. "We want people to come back because they know they can find what they're looking for.

The majority of their pieces are custom ordered, allowing the customer the opportunity to pick the perfect style for their room, as well as the stain that will work the best for them. Their furniture is sprayed with a coat of stain and sealed with two coats of a catalyzed varnish. This varnish is water resistant and will not allow moisture from glasses to penetrate the surfaces.

All of the furniture is ordered unfinished from local builders, and customers are able to select from a variety of stains. Complete orders are picked up unfinished and taken to one finisher so that the finish is consistent in technique and coloration.

"Just like the quality of the furniture, we take great care in the finishing of it, too," said Miller. "Our finishing is probably one of the more unique things we do."

And if you don't see exactly what you want, they'll be glad to help you create that special look you are after.

"If you do not see exactly what you are looking for, we can look into having it custom built or search for a builder that carries that piece in their product line," said Miller.

Delivery is available throughout the continental United States.

You can contact Stone Barn Furnishings, Inc. at P.O. Box 15, Mt. Hope, Ohio 44660. You can call them at 330-674-2064, fax them at 330-674-2451 or reach them online at: stonebarnfurnishings.com. Store Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.