| You could go out to a retail store like Target or | | | | woods such as maple. (Kettel also worked with |
| Wal-Mart and purchase a set of pine table and chairs | | | | pewter and iron to decorate his furniture and illustrate |
| for less than $150. For many consumers that would be | | | | simplicity and bare-bones frugality.) The scrapings of |
| just fine. However, to admirers and collectors of | | | | Kettel's hand tools and the markings on wood only |
| handcrafted furniture such a purchase would be a sin. | | | | grows more distinguished with the passing of time. |
| To admirers of pine furniture a table and chair | | | | Such exhibitions are both social and informative. There |
| represents more than just a utilitarian piece of kitchen | | | | are receptions for exhibition openings as well as tea |
| furniture. Nothing could convince these connoisseurs of | | | | times with food. Locals to the area can enjoy |
| woodcraft to put inexpensive wood furniture from a | | | | admission free Sundays and bring friends, dates, family |
| major retail giant should be in their home. The studied | | | | and even out-of-town guests. Exhibitions like this are |
| eye views pieces of furniture as works of art. | | | | relatively common throughout New England and you |
| These connoisseurs will travel to view fine furniture | | | | can find more information about these pieces at |
| and pay large sums of money to have original pieces | | | | universities and on the Internet. |
| of in their homes. They travel the countryside looking | | | | If this kind of thing whets your appetite, you can also |
| for treasures in antique stores and yard sales. They | | | | shop at boutiques for antique furniture reproductions. |
| also shop online and visit Amish country to purchase | | | | These boutiques serve corporate clients such as |
| and view Amish and Shaker collections. | | | | James Madison's Montpelier, the Smithsonian Institution, |
| Not only do these collectors travel to acquire fine | | | | the Miller Center for presidential studies at UVA and |
| items, but they also visit major exhibits of pine furniture. | | | | other prestigious institutions. They lend and sell such |
| For example, the Concorde Museum in Massachusetts | | | | items as reproductions of James Madison's dining chair, |
| held a show between February and May of 2008 | | | | reproductions of Irish beds & shares and even |
| devoted to the American style of Russell Kettel's | | | | send people to teach and inform about furniture |
| work. Kettel was both a collector and an author of | | | | conservation. Among the portfolio of items sold include |
| books about furniture. In his own work he created an | | | | furniture pieces like chairs, tables, chests and cabinets, |
| aesthetic that helped define appreciation for American | | | | desks, beds and clocks. |
| craft. As an author Kettel also worked with other | | | | After making a purchase of fine pine furniture from a |
| museum professionals to interpret American art and | | | | boutique -- and these pieces are not inexpensive -- |
| his book on furniture made of pine also defined for | | | | you need to carefully maintain it. Avoid aerosol polishes |
| appreciators the joy of looking at classic furniture from | | | | and use a damp cloth to pick up dust. Also consider |
| New England. Kettel influenced the likes of collectors | | | | purchasing a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in your |
| like Roger bacon and Lillian Kogan as well as | | | | home as constant as possible since would changes as |
| decorative arts museums all across the country. | | | | moisture content in the air increases. For more tips |
| Visitors to the Kettel exhibit come to understand his | | | | contact a seller or research of antique furniture on the |
| unique styling which includes painted pine and other | | | | Internet or in a library. |