Furniture Books

I've already made about 10 projects from this book. If you are a gardener, or like to 'ornament' your yard with tasteful items, this may be your book.

As soon as this book came, I had to go through it cover to cover. I love the projects, and the way everything is explained step by step. You are also given advice on using different mixes and techniques. I feel that the author not only teaches you how to do the projects in her book, but gives you the knowledge, skills, and encouragement to go beyond that. And that is exciting!

This is a good book for learning how to make your own hypertufa and concrete ornaments, including how to make the molds or reinforcements. Some of the projects are of overwhelming size for a person who is interested in small things for their garden. I like the planters, but some of the other things in this book are way too modern and gaudy for me.

If you want to learn to do concrete ornaments for your yard, there is an incredible book still in print since 1904 called Concrete Pottery and Garden Furniture by Ralph C. Davison, which shows how to make garden ornaments such as columns, table, benches, planters in the Victorian and Greek styles--more my taste. This little book is packed with valuable photos and diagrams of how it's done.

I would recommend Davison's book over this one, but Warner's book still has some great recipes for hypertufa and unique ways to construct molds for concrete statuary.

This is an excellent resource for learning concrete sculpture! Start with this one, then get her other book, "Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden: Making pots, birdbaths..." for more advanced projects that reinforce your skill leves.

Explicitly exhibits (photographic) the process of concrete ornament construction - even suggests creative alternatives to Ms. Warner-Hunter's designs. You don't have to be an "official" artist to follow these instructions or to create beautiful garden scultpures/containers! Is written for the average-intelligence adult and is not at all "art-speak"!

Not so long ago I saw Caribbean Elegance at a friend's house. My friend was gracious enough to lend it to me to read. After reading it, I felt I should have my own copy, so I ordered a copy from amazon.com.

Not only is Dr. Connors' narrative comprehensively informative and enjoyable, but Bruce Buck's photographs are absolutely beautiful.

Together they have introduced me to a heretofore, to me at least, world of fascinating furniture and decorative arts. Kudos to Dr. Connors and Mr. Buck.

I look forward to acquiring the rest of their work.

This book has great pictures of West Indian furniture and its focus is only on the furniture. I was looking for some ideas on how to design using this style, but not much can be gotten directly on how to do this from this book. However, I did come away with a good sense of the various influences on the West Indian style.

I have owned this book for over a year and always thought it was an excellent book but wasn't inspired to write a review until just recently, when I received a new book I purchased called "Caribbean Style". This book, "Caribbean Elegance", is everything that the other book is not. I love this book! The photography is incredible, encompasing everything from the smallest furniture detail or accessory, to entire historical exteriors & interiors, and exquisite scenery!
The text gives a detailed history of the settlers and islands, really giving you an understanding of how the various styles of West Indies architecture and furnishings came into being. It also distingushes the furnishings by their various European influences, such as Spanish, English or Dutch, among others. As an interior designer I found this book fascinating and educational. But even for someone who just has a love of the islands, the photography alone is worth the price of the book.

This book had some interesting facts, but as an interior designer who was looking for inspirational pictures for room designs I thought it had moderate value.

This book was exactly what I was searching for. Not only is it visually stunning, but it provides a wealth of historical information on Caribbean style and furnishing. A wonderful resource if you want to understand how this very unique style of interior design came to be.

Good book, if your looking for furniture deals. Some of the information is not as updated especially websites addresses but there is a lot of great sources in the book.

With this guide, we were able to save 40% over the price at a local Flexsteel dealer for some custom ordered furniture. We wouldn't have known where to order from without the guide. We saved several hundred dollars, offsetting the investment in the book many times over.

The author details many stores, their policies, pricing, shipping and product selection.

I've bought this book twice - it's a must have before you shop for furniture. You save so much money the book really doesn't cost you anything. It will make you an informed shopper when buying furniture. Kimberly tells you what brands are sold where, and the discount you can expect. Information on stores to visit, stores to just call in your order, or stores to avoid are given - saving both time and money. Four years ago I wanted a sofa from a not so well known manufacturer and this book gave the info on the one place that carried that brand. I saved so much time and money, and knew what to expect when buying.

She also has a website referenced in the book that provides the lastest updates to the book, as well as comparing some prices, and lots of other great information. There is also very helpful information regarding purchasing fabrics for decorating.

Don't shop without it!

Have not actually travelled to NC yet, but plan to in October. This book is very helpful in planning the trip and deciding where to go. It's exactly what the description is and I'm sure will be very useful.

Excellent book with great, user friendly ideas to improve the quality of your life and your home. Recipes for cleaners are excellent. Some of the rituals described are a little far out there but are thought provoking and are worth exploring.

I use this book as a home reference all the time and it has been extremely helpful and chock full of wonderful ideas for your life, home, body..inside and out.

What an absolute miracle! Thank you, Annie for a great book! Buy it, everything you need to know is in here.

I do not have a lot of time to read with four kids and this book was a easy fast book to get through. Lots of information that was displayed easily. Not the big words either. And in the back it a huge wonderful list of resources I could look up on the internet. Wealth of information. I gave this book to our school hoping when they remodel they consider what was written.

This book helps you take better care of yourself and your love ones. We are concerned about what we eat and if it's safe. We also need to be concerned about what we use to clean our homes with and what we use on our skin. In this book there is lots of good, practical receipes for a toxin-free home. This book will be on that I will use often.

I am a green interior designer and have found Home Enlightenment to be a very useful reference for my work. it covers a wide assortment of topics, but centers on creating a green and toxic-free environment.

I also practice Feng Shui, so Home Enlightenment, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet(for green, Feng Shui and a beautiful home) and Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life are always in easy reach in my office.

This is an excellent book, but I feel it is for advanced segmented wood turners. The pictures are beautiful and give you lots of "food for thought." I'm just beginning with segmented wood turning. The book is fun to look at, very detailed in it's instruction, and very interesting to read.

I like everything about woodturning. This book is no exception. You might also want to check the DVD Beyond Wood - Portrait of an Artist. You will see a lot of beautifully photographed pieces and interviews from years of research on the subject.

This book is very helpful and inspiring to any segmented bowl turner. Gives incentive to try the seemingly impossible combination of patterns.

This book was very inspiring. I've made several projects similiar to what is in the book. My work has been praised. Although the designing, cutting of pieces of wood and aleining is challenging; the end results are well worth the efforts.

This book is extremely well written and easy to understand with its great attention to detail. The photos and writings in this book are very detailed from beginning to end. Its truly like taking a course having an instructor explaining to you its that well written. Read the book, the guy is a natural born teacher. The book is printed on high quality sturdy pages. the photos are great. The book is so well detailed that every doubt or question i had was always answered within a page and a half. no questions were unanswered. He tells you how to turn with minimal tools and without complex formulas. If your just starting out get this book it could save you lots of money time and heartache. this book could be used by intermediate turners as well. This is the most detailed and best written instructional book i have ever read with exception of an html book.

This is a well written book. It does an excellent job of starting off with basic chair designs and moving on to more advanced designs. A lot of good photographs show the process of chairmaking. The gallery of chairs from other woodworkers is great - inspiring.

Jeff Miller starts you out with the most basic chair ever and then leads you along to more and more complicated designs step by step. By the end of the book, you feel confident in starting to build an arm chair. Great book.

An excellent overview of different types of chair designs and production of each. Not over the top for anyone that would like a guide to building chairs.

Chad

Excellent and clear book with very good detail on the techniques for the more unusual shapes and angles. A good series of projects starting with basic disigns and progressing onwards.
Chairmaking & Design

I looked all over the Internet for this book a while back and couldn't find it. Used sellers are charging way too much (over $100), so I finally just checked it out of the library (very available and no cost).

This is a good book, and is the only one I know of with general chairmaking info that covers different chair types. The other chairmaking books I've seen seem to be specific to Windsor chairs. I would like to see more books like this ... until then get this one from the library.

Too often craft/art books are whatever the subject is by-the-numbers. Do this, do that, voila you have a finished project just like mine. This is so much more and exactly what it should be. Layers of information. Beautiful examples. A book that inspires you to choose your own path. This is the best type of creativity inspiring book. I purchased this along with "500 Handmade Dolls" (which shares many of the same artists work) and have found hours of enjoyment. Very well done book.

LIKE ANATOMY OF THE DOLL THIS BOOK OF SUSANNA'S IS ALSO A MUST
HAVE.I AM NOW ADDICTED.

I own all of Susanna's books and think they are excellent. I would suggest that anyone interested in doll making invest in them, and this is a good one to start with. I honestly think this is 5 star all the way. I use this, and her other books, frequently while working. I am a serious cloth doll maker and usually buy every doll book when it comes out - some I resell immediately, but this one I am keeping!

The pictures in this book are incredible! The multitude of eclectic styles inspire, and while this is not exactly a how-to, it gets you thinking about the possibilities. In the book, Oroyan focuses more on the different options an artist has: planning ideas (and ways to do this), materials, questions to ask when thinking of the concept, elements of design (e.g. form, scale, color, etc), and she includes some sample sketches that illustrate these ideas, showing some do's and don'ts along the way.

While I have never made a doll, this book has been useful on a few levels. The discussions on scale, caricature (again, with do's and don'ts and how to achieve different goals there), creating abstractions of the form, trying different styles, working with faces and hands, gestures, clothing patterns for the dolls, different materials, anatomy...this book has so much to offer! The images alone earn Designing the Doll 5 stars--everything else is icing on the cake!

For any of you who believe that dolls are just children's toys or cutesy collector's items, you have obviously not seen this book. Oroyan's Designing the Doll: from Concept to Construction, is a very impressive book. While it is as advertised, a book on making dolls, it is first and foremost an art book. Throughout the book, the author is addressing the student as artist. She covers issues such as color, texture, drawing, abstract and impressionism, scale, etc. The details of construction are included as are some patterns, but the greatest value of the book is actually in the illustrations of finished dolls, some by the author and some by others. These are exceptional works of art. Some are actual portrait works, capturing in miniature the personalities of those portrayed. Others, while they may have had human models, are designed to capture an essence or spirit, an impression or meaningful event. When one sees dolls such as these, one understands instantly why a person would collect them: they are Michelangelos in miniature.

Why stumble along and question yourself, not knowing how to price, run a business, organize your life or plan your dreams when you have Lynette Harris so kindly opening up herself and all she has learned and experienced in her book, "Making Money With Your Creative Paint Finishes". I turn to her book regularly when pricing out a job or just doing my books. She even tells you what supplies you will need on your site.....why make mistakes when you have her experiences to guide you around them.

This book contains valuable information on how to make your business profitable. It includes sample contracts (a must for the professional) and tips on accurate record keeping. I have an MBA and feel that my skills in business are high however, I was able to get information from this book that was very useful. It is comprehensive, covering everything from starting your business, marketing, partnerships,and more. There is even a section on the importance of honing your craft. The author includes information on continuing education, recommended reading as well as resources for supplies. I highly recommend this book to anyone considering starting a business of Decorative Painting.

Many thanks to Lynette Harris for making this advice available! Good sound suggestions for marketing the business, pricing, as well as advice on contracts and suggestions on how to choose your business name and much more. Good food for thought! I highly recommend this book for anyone who may be considering going into this field of business!

I bought this book before "officially" starting my decorative painting business and I am very glad I did. I constantly refer back to it when I need tips. A must have for anyone who is considering going into business in this field!

I am planning to go into the business of faux finshing. This book answered every question I had and more in regards to starting in that business. Lynette shares her expertise in a very organized, entertaining and easy to read manner. She covers everything from naming your business, managing it, pricing your work to contracts and mastering your craft. What a treat to find a book specifically aimed at starting a faux finishing/stenciling business! If you're thinking of going into business for yourself, this book is a must read and great way to get started. Thank you Lynette for sharing what would have taken me years to learn on my own.

The thing that I love about not only this, but but both of Taylors books is that he has a great sense of humor. I tend to think that in real life, Taylor and I would clash rather strongly on some issues, but that's OK. I will buy every book he comes out with (and here is hoping it isn't just these two) simply because the man has a gift for telling stories. I have read tools of the trade probably 25 times since I bought it years ago at a B&N, and I anticipate reading it another 25 times!

I was given this years ago, read it in a week and loved it, then forgot the title when trying to describe it to a friend. It is a shame it is out of print.

Everyone should read this book, and anyone you know who likes to build things should get this for Christmas.

I picked up this book about 6 years ago at a B&N store...and finished reading it in one sitting in my yard. Trust me when I tell you that it is not often when I feel overwhelmed by anything. But this book, with its simple prose, made me gulp several times. Keep in mind that it is not a depressing read. On the contrary, it can be funny as heck at times!

It's a shame that this book is now out of print and likely to become scarce, as I have given it on several occasions and have always received many thanks in return.

The author fills the reader, even a reader with minimal knowledge or interest in carpentry, with a true respect for the tools, their usage, and the history behind them. Not just the history in a greater sense, but also the history these tools have in the author's life.

I'm now reading this book for the third time. I usually like to pick it up when my office job is making me dream of a life building and remodelling houses.

(From Don Simmons, Jr., Check, VA)

Burning the Furniture, by Dan Smith, stands up easily against Rick Bragg's All Over But the Shoutin' as a classic memoir of growing up in the South.

As a Western North Carolina native who grew up in many a small Southeastern town, Smith's voice and rhythm bring my childhood and youth to life as surely as the smell of sawdust and varnish from a furniture plant.

The chapter titles alone are worth the cover price. There's "Cut Me a Switch," My Favorite Ex-Wife," and "Driving Drunk: A Love Story," to name a few.

Especially if you grew up in the `60s/'70s South, his stories -- shenanigans at the municipal pool, getting hot-foot walking on the asphalt under the merciless Southern sun, sandspurs in your feet, his mom's attempts to keep her young-uns in line or being called a nigger-lover for having black friends - will bring it all back to life with humor, sadness, fear and hope.

I highly recommend this less than 200-page jewel. Bragg may have just lost his bragging rights.

Don Simmons Jr.
Check, Va.

I loved this book from cover to cover and when I finished it I wished there had been twice as many chapters. The book has both a big heart and a funny bone. Dan Smith's hardscrabble upbringing and elegantly rendered appreciation of his momma's grit make it stand out as a gem in the genre of southern literary memoirs. His tales reminded me of what a joy -- and a challenge -- it once was to be a young boy growing up in the South, surrounded by oddball family members and offbeat neighbors. Burning the Furniture chronicles childhood baseball games, wars fought with BB guns amid the kudzu, and summer days at the local pond, as well as encounters with racism, tough days at the mountain orphanage, football injuries, awkward encounters with nubile young girls, the practical jokes of daffy newspapermen and lessons on how to use alcohol to lose jobs as well as women. Burning the Furniture is in the same vein as Rick Bragg's memoirish "Ava's Man," only better.

Fans of biography and memoir frequently have to slog through 400 pages or more of exhaustive detail about the subject's life -- not all of it necessarily enthralling. Which makes "Burning the Furniture" a refreshing change of pace in this genre. In a lean 175 or so pages (made leaner but all the more engaging by over two dozen nostalgic photographs) readers are whisked along on a whistle-stop tour through the author's very colorful life. From his impoverished childhood in a family of eight children to his serendipitous start in the newspaper business, through multiple marriages and the horrors of alcoholism, "Burning the Furniture" is a Southern gothic story where the author comes out not only alive, but with humor and perspective very much intact. Whether you relate to Smith's experiences or are amazed by them, his stories are funny, sad, strange, revealing, and always well told. If you love picking up a book and getting so wrapped up in it that you cancel the rest of your day, you'd do well to give this little gem a try.

One of the best qualities that anyone can possess is the ability to laugh at oneself. In "Burning the Furniture" even amidst a childhood filled with poverty and a turbulent adulthood, Dan Smith is able to laugh at his many precarious situations and have the reader laughing right alongside him as well.

This book will surely delight you as it did me, although it's no fairy tale. You're as likely to be fond of the man at the end of "Burning the Furniture" as you are to be disturbed by the younger version.

Sometimes, a walk down memory lane takes you to overgrown paths full of kudzu.

Though the setting in Burning The Furniture takes you back six decades (timely book release date on the author's 60th year), it is no shortcut path for juveniles in a Ozzie and Harriet neighborhood. All the props are there, but the young chap scurries and scattles between them like the kid we only caught glimpses of growing up in southern suburbia. And just like television then, we read the first part in black and white.

But of course, we grow up--bumps and all--and color comes. This memoir lets color creep in by various hues. Some we like. Some we would prefer to shrink away from. Nonetheless, the author's story is a compelling one. Pure nostalgia at moments. Poignant, with philosophical undertones if you want to experience it that way.

Some people tell their life stories better than others... Dan Smith writes a screen play here, placing you as an "extra" so you're in the act right along side a fully developed character. A character with flaws to be sure - but a character you'll be glad to cut through the kudzu to meet.