Enduring Furnishings with an Amish Heritage

By Nanette Wiser
March 2021

Tim Miller was working on the Gulf Coast of Florida in the restaurant industry in 2001, yet couldn’t stop thinking about the handcrafted furniture he’d grown up with in Holmes County, Ohio.

The restaurant business was extremely demanding and required a lot of time away, and Tim wanted a business that would allow for more family time and opportunities for his children. He dreamed of bringing the hardwood quality furniture he remembered from his childhood to Florida. So in 2002, Tim and wife Sarah opened the doors to Miller’s Dutch Haus Furniture, and the business has been a family affair ever since.

In the early years, Tim personally transported furniture from Ohio to their first store—3,000 square feet on Beneva Road—while Sarah handled sales. Other family members assisted in the office and on deliveries. Word spread of beautiful furniture with solid, hardwood construction and enduring designs. Before long, Miller’s Dutch Haus was able to hire additional employees and expand the showroom size.

Today, Miller’s Dutch Haus has two showroom locations, one on Bahia Vista and a newer site on University Parkway at Lockwood Ridge, as well as an on online marketplace. Showroom visitors can browse individual pieces and multi-piece sets suitable for dining, kitchen, entertainment, bedroom, office, bathroom,\ and children’s rooms. Expanded style offerings encompass contemporary, mission, modern, Shaker, traditional, and transitional.

All of their furniture continues to be American-made, and the hardwood furniture is 100% designed and built by Amish and Mennonite Craftsmen, most of them small family shops from Ohio or Indiana. “We love supporting local communities and family businesses,” says Tim. “We also carry motion and upholstery furniture from American companies such as Temple Furniture and Best Home Furnishings.”

Miller’s Dutch Haus specializes in custom furnishings, with endless options that include specialty sizes and diverse finishes such as charming paint or natural woods like maple, cherry, oak, and walnut. Their craftsmen build quality kitchen and built-in custom cabinets in all sizes, personalized to the customer’s style. Their artisans can provide bathroom vanities, built-in offices or closets, bar/wine cabinets, built-in entertainment centers, Murphy beds and outdoor kitchens. 

What do they see trending lately? “Simple line or modern Shaker as well as mid-century modern in natural wood tones, warm medium to light brown tones, with walnut and cherry are most popular,” says Tim. He also sees high demand for live edge on dining room tables. Customers ask for oak with contemporary gray stains, often paired with cream or white. 

 For those who crave maintenance-free outdoor living, Tim says their Luxcraft Poly Outdoor Furniture collection never requires painting or staining and will not splinter or rot. Both the wood and smooth color finishes are popular. After nearly 20 years in business, Miller’s Dutch Haus continues to provide quality furnishings, honest pricing, and joyful customer service.