Lovina was nice enough to let me post this photo of her newly painted living room. Each Amish community is different, each with their own traditions, rules, and theological interpretations. I'd put Lovina's settlement as pretty middle-of-the-road - not too strict, not on the far liberal end either. The upholstered sofa and recliners would not be permitted in some more conservative settlements, nor would the battery-powered lamp. Note the gas-light on the ceiling. Those put out a lot of heat and they are nice and cozy during the winter, but on a warm summer's night if you are wanting to plop in your chair and read, the battery powered light is lots more practical. Stricter churches would not allow a battery light, they'd use kerosene or gas lamps only. The Amish, as I hope you learn by coming to this website, are not all one homogeneous group, there are lots of differences between churches and that is what makes them so fascinating to learn about. I love the mint-green color of the newly painted walls here, by the way.
debbi meyers-brant
i was looking at the windows also, around here they do do them this way at all
Christine
Lovina's living room looks lovely, I like the green walls and the beautiful Grandfather clock in the corner. I had a question I was hoping you could answer: In Lancaster PA amish communities, I have noticed almost all of the Amish homes have dark green window shades on the windows. Is this a custom of the area? Or is it one of the only accepted styles of window covering the Amish use? I have always been curious about this.
kentuckylady717
Thanks for sharing this, her living room is really nice, and her floors are beautiful....
Will be looking forward to seeing more pictures too....
Sheila
Beautiful! It looks so uncluttered and tranquil! Maybe Lovina would allow us to see the rest of the house?
Linda Bolt
It's simple, and lovely. What surprises me: 1) the colored walls (I thought they would be only white) and 2) the curtains- I thought they would be only dark green window shades.
And I have not heard of a battery lamp like that, but it seems practical.
Joseph M. Behrens
Very classic. I love it!
Marilyn from NY
I really enjoy their beautiful living room. It surprised me as I thought Amish always had hard, wooden furniture. I am glad to see they have comfortable couches and chairs. I really like the grandfather clock. Their living toom looks real relaxing.
Marilyn
Betsy Thompson
What I love is the lack of clutter. Everything is so clean and orderly, but yet inviting.
Colleen Rohrer
I LOVE seeing Lovina's living room ~ how pretty!
linda gerhardt
I have q's for you.I know the Amish pay the drivers what is the ballpark to take a mom and child to the Dr and stop at a store[20 miles one way] before going home.I know the green pull down shades are the Pa thing but I've searched and have not seen them in years[not in my limited on line].so with your wide feelers maybe someone will know, what about when you show us [my interest] the battery lamps promoting them,again a lot of one of the kind things would interest others make a nice contest gift [hint],barter gifts etc would love if I could get 6 rolls in a postal flat rate mailer wraped well and they would do well durning winter months even pies ship well I know .for a gift donation you can message me any time, my tummy wants blessings linda
Linda from KY
Lovina's living room is beautiful! Please thank her for letting us see it.
By the way, our couch is just like hers. It's very comfy. Sometimes my two younger kids ask to sleep on the couch at night instead of in their own beds. Most of the time the answer is no, but we do let them do so occasionally. 🙂
brenda
well, this was a treat.when i read Lovina's column, i was curious about the color of paint. do they put heavier window coverings when the temps go down??also, do they make them as they do their clothing?? I know they have a large family but was still surprised the room looks so large. thank you and Lovina for sharing this with us.