FAQs

We are not Amish. We are Mennonite, which is a particular tradition within Christianity that has common roots with the Amish. Our store is part of an intentional Christian community, in which our members share a common life including worship, finances and decision making. We are grateful that our business provides us with an opportunity to know and interact with our Amish brothers and sisters in Christ.

Plain and Simple is our name and also our business philosophy. We prefer to keep our business located within walking distance of our homes and we like to keep our overhead relatively low. Over our ten years in business we have discovered that our customer base prefers the chance to design their items from the ground up. Made-to-order items cannot be stocked in a large warehouse!

No we do not. We accept all major credit cards as well as cash/check. We take a 50% deposit when an order is placed and we collect the balance upon delivery.

You can ensure that your new furniture will last for years and generations to come through proper care and use. The following is a list of simple tips to keep your furniture beautiful.Try to place your furniture away from heat sources (radiator, fireplace, heating vent, prolonged direct sunlight).Monitor the humidity in your home. The ideal range for wood furniture is between 35-45% humidity. This detail will help to minimize gapping and splitting that are the result of an uncontrolled environment. Seasonal gapping is a normal occurrence.Protect your furniture by using coasters under sharp objects, trivets for hot or cold serving dishes. Store table leaves is a similar environment to that of the table (not in a damp basement, for example).Routine cleaning: Dust often, along the direction of the grain with a soft cloth - this removes everyday abrasive particles from the surface. If you need to clean with a soap, we recommend a mild soap like Murphy’s Oil brand. Using a damp rag to apply, and then wipe immediately with a soft, dry cloth. We caution against the use of wax or silicone polishes. The finish on your furniture is already heat and moisture resistant, and does not need additional polish.

Plain and Simple offers a warranty covering defects in workmanship, materials, and construction of our furniture for a period of two years. If a defect is found during that period, we will either repair or replace the defective item, or substitute a different item.  The final decision is at the discretion of Plain and Simple. Our warranty is valid only where customer maintains a humidity level in the range of 35%-45%.  Within that range, and especially outside of that range, splitting of wood should not be considered a defect, but rather appreciated as an inherent characteristic of solid wood.  Nevertheless this warranty will cover splitting of wood that occurs within two years and within the specified humidity range. Our warranty is not transferable to another owner.

Yes, we handle our own deliveries within the Chicago area and we have a quality furniture shipping company that can ship anywhere in the United States.Save yourself the time and trouble of writing the same email over and over again by listing your most commonly asked questions and answers here. A dedicated FAQ page should help address the basic needs of your customers, cutting down on customer service emails, increasing conversions, and creating a more satisfying shopping experience!

Our builders do not cut corners on materials or craftsmanship. Select hardwoods and high quality finishes are costly but they perform and look far better than less expensive materials. Our builders and employees earn a fair wage and we are located in Evanston, IL, which is a relatively expensive place to live and do business.

Many high end furniture stores sell designer brands, and much of what you pay for in those stores is the brand, not so here. Many furniture stores mark their products up to very high levels, only to slash prices by 40% or more on a regular basis. Not so here. We like to keep it Plain and Simple.