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Blanket Chests are the most versatile pieces of furniture

Author: Kevin Taylor
by Kevin Taylor
Posted: Jun 20, 2022

Many individuals are questioning themselves right now how blanket chests can be such a flexible piece of furniture. Don't they go at the foot of your bed, where you may store your blankets and quilts? That is an excellent question. When we think of early America, we think of blanket chests as having a prominent role in the house. Many hope chests were given pride of place in the front room, complete with the family bible on top and family treasures inside. Because many kinds of Early American hope chests were rather tall, this worked very nicely.

Many families now use blanket chests as coffee tables and end tables in their living rooms and dens. Others utilise these beautiful chests as sideboards in their front entryways to create a welcoming atmosphere. In the dining room, tall blanket chests have been employed as buffets. The usage of elegant wood chests as additional pleasant lounging areas in front of huge windows is a popular choice. Of course, some people still like to put these incredibly adaptable chests at the foot of their beds, which provides them with the storage and seating they require in their bedrooms.

Americans are purchasing blanket chests not merely to add to their home decor, but also to start a new family tradition. In recent decades, many people have shied away from family connections and tradition. Some families had lost interest in family customs, while others found them to be excessively time demanding. People are now attempting to reclaim what they have been lacking. Family customs are essential because they keep families together. Obtaining heirlooms that can be passed down to future generations has been a part of this transformation. Every grandmother want to gift each of their grandchildren a prized possession.

Hope chests and dowry chests, sometimes known as blanket chests, have long held sentimental meaning for families. These wooden boxes were commonly presented to young ladies to fill with belongings for their future home when they married. This made a lot of sense because hand sewing and crocheting products took a long time. The name of the individual who got the chest and the date of presentation were printed on many of these hope chests. This demonstrates that providing hope chests is a significant event in the life of a young girl.

Since the wood craftsman learned how to make long lasting furniture, some lucky families had centuries old hope chests. The joinery types of choice for these lovely wooden chests were usually mortise and tenon or dovetail. Both joinery systems not only offer beautiful aesthetic components, but they've also shown to be far more durable than other forms of furniture construction. The joints of these joinery systems have been proved to be stronger than the wood used in the building of these amazing wooden chests when utilised in conjunction with glue. These joinery techniques are recommended over the use of nails and screws in blanket chest box construction since these hardware items have a propensity to loosen and fall out over time. In certain cases, significant harm is done as a result of the process.

Blanket chests exist in a variety of furniture types, but the ones that seem like antique blanket chests provide a lovely mood. Handcrafted hope chests with superb design and craftsmanship were manufactured by German immigrants who came to Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. Collectors have flocked to these blanket chests in droves. On the front sides of certain chests, there were delicate outside design features carved, which were mainly flower motifs. Flowers, people on horseback, hex patterns supposed to ward off evil spirits, hearts, and stars were among the ornate, colourful motifs on other wood chests.

The blanket chests manufactured in the New England coastal area were also much sought after, replicating many of the designs of furniture made in Europe. The most popular style was undoubtedly the Queen Anne style, which originated in England. In America, it was given a more fashionable appearance. Every significant city along the New England coast has its unique style of Queen Anne furniture. Each city has its own own foot style, with different leg and design building preferences. The Queen Anne style was at its pinnacle when created by American woodworkers, according to most furniture specialists.

About the Author

I am Kevin Taylor. I love writing and reading books.

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Author: Kevin Taylor

Kevin Taylor

Member since: Jul 22, 2021
Published articles: 55

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