In Paris on a holiday trip with her family in December, Betsy Wentz noticed a beautiful console table in the window of an antique shop.
Not long before that vacation, she had been asked if she wanted to design a furniture collection.
“I took a picture of the table and it became the inspiration for the Duke Maple Desk,” said Wentz, owner of Betsy Wentz Interior Design in Sewickley, referring to the name of one of the pieces she has created with an Amish manufacturer from Ohio. “Seeing that table … the timing just felt right.”
Ernest Hershberger, founder and CEO of Abner Henry, a contemporary Amish American furniture manufacturer based in Fredericksburg, Ohio, reached out to Wentz. They have a 40,000-square-foot shop where they’ve collaborated with Wentz on design projects in the past.
Abner Henry is named after Hershberger’s great-grandfather, Abner, and Hershberger’s father, Henry. Ernest Hershberger’s mother’s side of the family were cabinet makers back in 1918.
Abner Henry partnered with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for a seven-piece collection inspired by artworks in the museum.
The line with Wentz is called Betsy Wentz Interior Design for Abner Henry The Collective. It officially launched in April in High Point, N.C., at the home furnishing trade show.
Some of the names of the pieces are The Betsy Bench, The Campbell Console, The Miller Mirror, The Duke Desk, The LoLo Lounge, The Coop Chair, The Penny Pouf Round and the The Penny Pouf Triangle.
The Buddy Bed is a dog bed. Wentz, of Edgeworth, owns two dogs.
“We have been watching her work and we love to connect with key designers like Betsy,” said Hershberger, who prefers to be called steward instead of founder and CEO. “People like her can utilize our factory and make it her own. We can be a springboard for her.”
Hershberger and his son, president and creative director LaVern Hershberger, attended an event to introduce the line locally that Wentz hosted for nearly 150 guests at her studio on May 12.
Some pieces are on display inside Wentz’s expanded trade showroom.
“Every piece you can see has Betsy’s touch,” said LaVern Hershberger. “She has such a unique take on pops of color and her furniture has a usability; it’s livable. She has lots of energy. It’s all in the small details and we help bring her vision for the furniture to life.”
Abner Henry offers 600 wood finishes and has added a few more since collaborating with Wentz, 50 hand-forged metal options and 10 North American wood species. The company doesn’t paint the wood; rather, they use a dye glaze. Wentz said furniture pricing depends on factors from size and style to design and finish because it’s custom-made.
Every piece they make is built to last and make it to the next generation, Ernest Hershberger said. The Amish furniture is heat and water-resistant to 220 degrees.
“Their furniture is all hand-crafted, and such high quality,” said Wentz. ”I love that they are willing to experiment and try new things. They make furniture that is so smooth to the touch. I love the way it feels.”
Clients Kristine and Keaton Streetman of Moon ordered a bench and a mirror. Keaton Streetman saw an article about Wentz in House Beautiful and began following her work on Instagram. He said he loves how she can transform an historic home and respect the history, while creating a fresh space.
“She helps build character in a home,” he said.
The couple said Wentz takes the time to get to know her clients and will reach out to them if, in her travels, she sees something they might like.
“We have a lot of big ideas and we like color, but we have trouble putting it all together,” said Kristine Streetman. “She has such an eye for design with this collection. She’s knocked it out of the park.”
Betsy Wentz Interior Design is at 417 Walnut St. The business is open by appointment.
Details: 412-741-4445 or betsywentz.com