Building a Life

Design your home, your style, your taste and your life all right here in Holmes County. There are many traditional things that tourists look forward to when visiting Amish Country. The food, the handmade crafts, the natural beauty and enjoying the simpler lifestyle are all what make Amish Country a popular place to visit for people all around the world. Although those traditions will never change, the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau wants to spread the word that there’s another story to be told that goes well beyond the buggies.

“We pride ourselves on our traditions here in Amish Country, and that will never change, but we want visitors to know that there’s another story we haven’t told,” said Tiffany Gerber, executive director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. “You can come here to design your own experience in recreation, furniture and home décor, fashion, dining and lodging, finding it all to fit your unique taste. You really can design your lifestyle with a visit to Amish Country,” she said.

Let’s start with the Amish homebuilders. Amish-built homes are synonymous with quality. Your builder works with you to provide your dream home along with providing the siding options, patios, decks and fencing.

“Working with an Amish builder is a one-stop shop for a new home build,” Gerber said. “We offer every support business right here to complete your project.”

For the inside of your abode, Holmes County is home to more than 300 hardwood furniture makers that today go way beyond a hope chest or oak dining table. The furniture makers here start with the design process to make exactly what you’re looking for. From mid-century modern to contemporary, traditional or shabby chic, with Amish Country furniture makers you’ll start from scratch by choosing your style, wood, finishes and fabrics, resulting in the piece of your dreams.

“These are not big box store, throw-away pieces,” Gerber said. “This is heirloom quality, hand-built furniture with that modern flair you’re looking for that your family will enjoy for generations to come.”

Stay right here in Holmes County as you move on to home décor. Define your style with some guidance from the world’s most talented seamstresses offering thousands of fabrics for handmade draperies, pillows, cushions, bedding and more. And if you’re not sure, wander through some of the local stores and see what grabs your attention.

“LuxeHome Furnishing in Berlin offers locally designed and handcrafted indoor and outdoor furniture to fit every style,” Gerber said. “At the Sheiyah Market in Berlin, you’ll find the latest fashion, jewelry, home décor and accessories, even live plants and gardening items. This former dairy barn turned shopping destination defines the old meets the new happening all around Amish Country.”

That includes the latest fashions, leather goods, shoes and jewelry at stores like bfearless in Walnut Creek and shops offering a nod to the past like Holmes County Pottery in Big Prairie, where you’ll watch master potters create handmade and wood-fired pottery for the home and garden.

For outdoor enthusiasts, visit E-Bikes of Holmes County. They’ll fit you with the right bike to cruise Holmes County’s stunning back roads.

After all this there are plenty of places to wine and dine at the end of the day. Between breweries, wineries, sports bars and the traditional Amish offerings, there’s something for everyone on the Amish Country food scene.

“Places like East Main Kitchen in Baltic and Cider Press in Millersburg are reinventing the Amish cooking style to include farm-to-table and locally sourced seasonal menus,” Gerber said. “It’s just one more example of how traditional meets modern in Holmes County.”

If you’re staying overnight, there are several lodging options including tiny houses, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and more traditional hotels.

Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is located at 6 W. Jackson St. in Millersburg. For more information call 330-674-3975 or check the website at www.VisitAmishCountry.com.