Furniture Books

The Far East has inspired Western fashion, interior design and film in recent years: think cropped jeans embellished with embroidered silk, sleeveless Mandarin collar tops, Ralph Lauren's bold mix of red and pink silk bedding, or the profusion of Asian-focused films including Seven Years in Tibet. But this trend is nothing new. Eastern imagery has appeared in Western design for centuries, never really going out of style, and peaking in popularity at various points in history. Ever since the fourteenth century when Europeans first read The Travels of Marco Polo, Westerners have romanticized China and its neighbors, and Western decorative arts have been especially affected by Eastern style. In her book Chinoiserie, Dawn Jacobson explains the phenomenon in great detail. Her focus is on furniture, accessories, interiors and architecture and she highlights the Chinoiserie craze in creations ranging from Chippendale furniture to Delftware to Grauman's Chinese Theater. The illustrations are exquisite and plentiful. Jacobson's text is scholarly-this is an art history text as well as a coffee table book-and the chapters are well organized.

I would have given this 8 stars but that selection box is sooo stubborn. Joseph Mader picks up in creative design where Wayne Barton leaves off. There are many creative designs you find here that are not found in any other text. His works are obviously of European influence. This is a truly an outstanding book on chip carving. I would recommend getting a starter book such as Pam Gresham's Basic Chip Carving first. I was quite surprised to find this book here as it is out of print. I can't tell you how many sources I tried when I was looking for one for a gift for a Swedish friend Leif, who simply marvelled at my copy. Fortunately we located one. This was about 10 years ago. This is the first time I have seen any available anywhere.It is a true unique source book that would be a valuable addition to anyone's chip carving library.

Clara Porset was born into a wealthy Cuban family in the late 1890's. After receiving her degree from Columbia University, she travelled to France to study architecture and interior design. While in France, she became interested in the new designs being produced by the Bauhaus School in Germany. At this time, Bauhaus was under tremendous political pressure from the new Nazi regime. Walter Gropius advised Porset to study with Bauhaus teacher, Joseph Albers in the United States. POrset studied with Albers and incorporated many of the Bauhaus design principles in her later work.

In the late 1930's, Clara Porset left Cuba and went into exile in Mexico. She soon became an active collaborator with Mexico's emerging Modernist architects. They used her as the interior/furniture designer for most of their important projects. In these years, she worked closely with Juan O'Groman and Luis Barragan.

Clara Porset is best known for the design of the Butaca chair. It is a classic design that has moved into the realm of iconic. This one design makes her an important figure in Latin American design history. This is a great book for anyone interested in Modernism in Latin America from the 1930's through the 1960's. Highly recommended.

Final note, this book was published by the Franz Meyer Museum in Mexico City. Typical of Mexican art publications, it is of the very highest quality. There were only 2,000 editions published. If you are interested in the subject, get your book before they become very difficult to find.

This book has great drawings on methods of construction for cabinet work. Many drawings for each project showing router and saw use methods along with materials lists and stock cutting diagrams.

There are 11 projects with many drawer and door variations for each. From small display cases to large wardrobes. Very good looking designs. Each project has detailed construction sequences and shop tips.

Nice spiral binding hard cover makes for a book that lays open perfectly for shop use.

I purchased this book to be used as a reference for woodworking. I found the book to be of the highest quality. The contents are roughly 300 pages, most containing pictures of furniture of the Qing Dynasty (about 1600 to about 1900) This is the finest reference on this topic I have found. Though not cheap, the photography is excellent and much detail is visible in the furniture featured. I believe the book was written with antique collectors in mind but furniture makers interested in the beginnings of the Green brothers Arts and Crafts will find it irreplaceable.

Raymond provides comprehensive instructions for the woodworker to produce a variety of handsome clocks based on timeless designs. Not only are the patterns well presented but also ways to finish the cases. Included is a very clever moon dial clock.

WHAT A WONDERFUL NEW PUBLICATION. LOTS OF GREAT INFORMATION & PHOTOS. WE NEED MORE FINE BOOKS LIKE THIS!

I bought Barrett's other book, Bookcases, from a bookstore, after paging through it. I found the bookcases really appealing. A wide range of designs, some that didn't appeal to me at all, but enough were right down my alley that I knew I'd make them. The drawings and photos were really clear, so i didn't worry about being left in the lurch halfway through the project with vague directions.

When I saw Kitchen Projects, I bought it sight unseen because I knew Barrett would do a good job. He doesn't disappoint.

There are some really good projects in here, more than in Bookcases: simple things with elegant lines. He doesn't seem to work in any one traditional style, but weaves together some Shaker, contemporary and a few traditional ideas. These are designs that fit anywhere solid wood is appropriate.

He uses some plywood now and again, but you'd never know it looking at the finished object. And man does the guy have nice tools from what I can see in the photos.

The projects look mostly simpler than the bookcases--and a lot more useful. I haven't had the chance to make anythin fromt eh book yet, but I already have a few lined up for my house and friends' birthdays.

This book is a sure bet. Highly recommended!

I must confess that I was very pleasantly surprised and delighted by this excellent, first book outing by David Linley! It is an excellent survey of the history of classicism from its origins in ancient Greece, to the influence of Architect Andrea Palladio, throughout Europe, England and the rest of the world. Linley is an excellent modern day interpreter of classicism, which is evident by his furniture designs which are featured throughout this beautiful book. He goes into detail about the great furniture makers such as, Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Sheraton. He also discusses the influence of some of the great architects such as Adam and Kent. I had the good luck to see up close, one of Linley's biggest commissions: The conference table in The Board of Trustee's Room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was more than cleverly done. In years to come, he will unquestionably be regarded as one of the great modern interpeters of classical furniture ever. This book is a MUST for anyone who loves fine furniture.

Finely detailed in research and detailed photos of an oten overlooked period of American furniture.