Furniture Books

I bought this item as a gift for my son-in-law. He liked the detail of the illustrations and seemed pleased overall with the book.

This book is well written and explained the process and history of chair caning very well.

The instructions for weaving a cane seat were much better than the instructions for replacing a rush seat. For the caning section, he could have included some tips for what to do when strands break and better advice for avoiding out-of-whack patterns. Also, the directions for weaving the binder cane were not very clear. For the rush seat instructions, beware the instructions in the beginning where you are told to measure your chair to determine how much of the corners must be filled in in order to "square off" the chair. After you determine the measurements for the chair you are working with you are instructed to "mark off one inch." Don't do it! Mark off the measurement for your chair, not the example chair the author uses.

This is a good book for anyone starting out in chair restoration. Instructions are clear and there are many good illustrations.It gives good basic instructions but no variations in pattern.All in all, it is an excellant starter book.

Pictures illustrate techniques words can't explain, while the clear directions will have you rushing or caning a chair in no time.

I've read the other reviews. From 2 star to 5 star they say it all! What can I add? "Norm" is a practical "New Yankee." Watched him grow from working with Bob Villa to his multiple projects and present ease of construction. Like some of the reviewers I was looking for more of that. What I found was more. "Impractical Cabinetmaker" is far from my learning from PBS. It was a shocker, and a mover. I have been making things in wood since I was told by my dad, "If I show you how to use the tools and I give you your own, will you stay out of my toolshed?" I live in a remote area, and the woodworkers I've found are a solitary bunch of "individuals" who would rather do than talk. With this book I became Mr. Krenov's temporary apprentice. With words he gives a feel for being "in woodworking!" For me words are important, for other woodworkers they are not. I've had the book and read it twice, about 3 years apart. It is not a book about "what we do" but "why we do it!" Other books are more factual, more practical. This one is spiritual!

I just didn't like this book. Way too much new age "fluffy" stuff, not enough meat. I didn't even like the furniture the guy built - just didn't fit my style. I expected to like this book a lot more given its reviews - should have paid attention to some of the more negative reviews I guess. I certainly was not "inspired".

Of course, I do not consider myself an artist either - I hack stuff together, trying to follow good plans where I can. My stuff turns out OK, but I have no asperations of making a work of art. Those with different goals may find more value in this. I don't have much interest in creating something new from scratch, an 'original' composition.

A pleasant book when you already konw woodworking.
Not the first book to purchase when beginning with wood, but it deserves a good place among philosophy items.

I bought this book a few years ago and I'm still reading it...or I should say re-reading it. As I progress with my woodworking skills, build some pieces, work with a different wood, etc, I find things in this book I didn't see before. There's a little bit of how-to here, but for me that's not where the real value lies. I love the philosophies of working with wood that Mr. Krenov offers -- they are worth the price of admission, and should be the reason for reading it. So my suggestion is to acquire the books you need about joinery, shaping, cabinet construction, etc., and as you go along every now and then take this book from the shelf and re-read it. Maybe not all of it, but I'm betting that as you grow in woodcraft you will react to it in a different way than you did the last time.

If all you want to do is cut out parts and fasten them together, why not get an erector set?...not so much sawdust. I agree with the reviewer who suggests that it should be required reading for every consumer as well.

First of all - my rating of this book is not guided by Mr. Krenov's abilities - it is obvious he is a rare talent in the woodworking and design field...a man who has thought much about what he does and why and in so doing, has mastered his craft. The other side of the coin is that this book is not for everybody - it is heady, filled with a lifetime of introspective philosophy and covers advanced techniques the average person will never use and is nearly useless for the average woodworker who is looking for a "how to" book. Unless you are into an almost Zen like approach to woodworking or are looking for inspiration at an almost unreachable level, this book may not be for you. Is it a good read? Yes, and worth reading, no doubt. Will it help you go out to your shop the day after you read it and actually do something you gleaned out of it? Probably not. This book CAN be depressing. On the other hand, it will most assuredly open your mind to a rare and beautiful area of woodworking that to this point may have escaped you. Read it, enjoy it, it may inspire you to do better work or at least make you wish you could. His creations are beautiful. At the very least, you will come away with a certain amount of awe at what a dedicated, thoughtful and talented man can do with rather simple tools :)

I guess some people really like this book. Like the other book, it has an attractive cover, but inside...lacks. The drawings are hard to understand, of not the best quality and would have expected more.

The book gives essential information to anyone interested in the design or construction classic American furniture.

I gave this book "Making Antique Furniture Reproductions" as a present to a person who is learning how to make furniture. This book was very well received and appreciated for all of its detailed information and illustrations.

Some of the designs in this book are projects that I definitely intend to build. However, using this book to produce the designs in it requires a good set of woodworking skills and ability to come up with the project based on a minimal presentation. The drawings are adequate, but the photos are very poor quality. Frankly I could produce a better quality presentation on an office copier. Very dated to the 70's and not a book to read just for enjoyment or to look at the pictures.

I took the initiative to build the carved corner china from the plans in this book and they are excellent. When I was done with my project I wrote Mr. Gottshall with photos of my project and he wrote back immediately, as I am perhaps the only other person he knew who built this particular project.
I telephoned him to thank him for the education I got building from his plans but alas, he had had a stroke. This was in 1978. I can be reasonably certain Frank has passed away by now, but his legacy is in his books which got better as he got older. A must for any cabintmaker.

This is just an outstanding book for any beginner or advanced woodworker who wants to build their own bench. There are even schematics and detailed plans for those who want to attempt this. What I liked most about the book was the general overview of devices, joinery, and various levels of expertise. After reading Christopher Schwartz new book, I was really surised that anything else could compare and I am a fan of Chris's work. This is truely one of those must have books if you want to actually build and not think about a bench.

This book, unlike the others, gives you a step by step description of how to assemble the bench. I have some other books, and they go into the different types of benches very well. They also have some blueprints for specs of the different types. This book by Sam Allen makes it easy to understand, for us novice bench builders, how the whole thing comes together. Just one blow up diagram of his, instantly explains, how each section, from the top, the front edge, the tool tray, legs etc, all come together. Until now benches appeared to me to be made up from a lot of 4 inch stock. Not so, only certain areas are. Anyhow, this is a great book to get in your quest for the ultimate bench, and the price is wonderful for something so well illustrated. Buy it you won't be sorry.

This book is well written but it doesn't cover all aspects of wood workbench design and construction. It covers a simplified design that allows for a "traditional-looking" bench with a pattern of 3/4" holes over the top and front apron for anchoring work to the bench. I was hoping for coverage of the construction of a traditional european wood workbench using classic joinery and hardware. Unfortunately, it was not the case.

The first 4 chapters are useful background. The remaining 6 chapters appear to be publisher fluff. Chapters 3 and 4 which are the blueprints of a workbench are inadequate and while not incomplete, certainly not clear. Photos are all black and white with horrible contrast. Aspects that should be exceeding sharp for construction clarity is a muddy gray. This is a idea book, not a 'how to'.

A workbench is more than a flat surface used to bang boards together in lieu of the floor. It is an incredible tool. This book provides many helpful insights on how to utilize this tool in your own shop. I found the chapter on the variety of vises and hold-downs especially useful, and even included manufacturers. The book is well written, well illustrated and interesting. Not to mention the two distinct bench plans and associated variations. Surprizingly enough, I had a difficult time putting it down. It has helped me to get truely excited about spending quality time in my shop. I would highly recommend this book and have recently purchased the wood joiner's handbook by the same author.

...I bought this book in a discount house on a whim. It has turned out to be one of the most worn books in my library. This is NOT an encyclopedia of Oaxacan woodcarvings, or a catalogue of such, which may have been to the disappointment of one of the reviewers. The writer does an OUTSTANDING job at studying this group of people and their craft/artform as an anthropological survey, that is not in the least bit dry. Great stories, and imaginative professional photography of numerous pieces. This is the book, that caused me to travel 2,000 miles and spend thousands of dollars to meet the people that the author writes about....and that is the only caveat I have towards this book; it will introduce you to a culture steeped in poignancy, depth and every bit as 'magical' as its' title suggests. 5 stars. No, 10 stars.

My copy of Oaxacan Woodcarving: The Magic in the Trees arrived just before my husband and I left the U.S. for a 3-month RV tour through several states of Mexico. Much of our 4 weeks in Oaxaca were spent in small villages enjoying the colorful works and the artisans who created them. We saw a wide variety of styles and themes, many of which are represented in this book. What gorgeous colors and what a sense of humor!

This book is very informative for those interested in learning more about the artists behind the woodcarvings. However it only represents a few of the carvers and the photos while excellent quality will be a disappointment to those who may own or have seen many of the other wonderful carvings that these artists create. The photos seem to concentrate mainly on human style figures and although it does contain quite a few photos of animal figures most are those more on the conventional side. The more elaborate and colorful figures are not represented, neither are some of the more exotic animals like dragons, giraffes, and armadillos. There is nothing at all on the small `alien' monsters which are now considered the trademark emblems of this area. For those wanting a book to show friends just what these artists can do it will be a bit of a disappointment, however since it's the only book available at present there is little choice.

This a beautiful and colorful book about Oaxacan Woodcarvings. It illustrates their vivid history and humble beginnings by folk-artisans in Mexico.

Latin American crafts are special because they're created by people who have a passion for life. They express it in their art with vibrant colors and whimsical expressions.

I sincerely appreciate the work that goes into creating these figures. This book captures all of the above and more.

I picked this book up just recently and was rather delighted by what I found. Vicki Ragan's photos are lovely, but it is Shepard Barbash's text that is the real delight here. How many of those who buy this book will be like the lady below who, apparently without reading the text, complains that the book does not feature all her favorite artists and all the little alien figures which she is sure are the most important images coming out of Oaxaca?

Please do buy this book, enjoy the lovely pictures, but then read the text. Barbash raises, rather subtlely, the question of whether these woodcarvings are folk art or a response to a commercial demand; he questions whether we are right to put our own "surrealist" readings on these wonderful little figures which are hardly conceived out of some sort of pychological dream matter.

Instead he puts this work into its proper context. These wonderful, brightly colored woodcarvings are the work of individuals with their own stories, hopes and fears -- for whom the incomprehensible wealth and technology of the United States is far more surreal than anything they might produce.

I have one of the cute little aliens the reader below speaks of. They are nice, but superficial beside the personal stories and personal expression that occasionally finds its way into this fascinating art that exists somewhere between folk and commerce.

This book can give you a glimpse into the American antique trade. Focusing on three different pieces of furniture, he tells of the story of how it was created, where it's been and why it was up for sale. I enjoyed learning about how people browse and buy things and of the passion some have for a certain style or maker. It's an introspective book with a unique insight. The only criticism is that there were no pictures of the objects mentioned. This was frustrating as it made me curious about them.

It doesn't matter what you're selling, if you deal with any "objects of desire", this book is worth the read! Although it deals with the world of antique furniture, the principles apply equally as well to art, memorabilia, rare books, and you-name-it! The writer takes what at first appears to be a dry subject, and imbues it with the life and personality and drama that is normally lost in the translation to the printed page. Reads like a Steinbeck novel where the base motives, practiced deceptions, and blatant materialism are showcased side-by-side with the aesthetic beauty and artistic appreciation of a cultured society, to form a microcosm of the world of "objects of desire"!

Even if you're not already interested in American antiques, if you enjoy excellent nonfiction writing, try this book. Unlike so many contemporary writers of nonfiction, Freund does not focus this book on himself but on a subject--the world of American antiques. By telling the stories of three different objects, the craftsmen who made them, and the collectors who owned them, Freund brings his readers into a quirky, fascinating world, where the desire for objects shapes people's lives. And if you have any interest in nonfiction writing, this book will give you lessons in the craft from a master writer.

This book is delightful--I've bought 7 copies over the years for friends and family. With its readable style, brilliant characterizations of the eccentric people involved and its nonfiction "plot," it SHOULD have been the next MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL. I suppose its relative lack of success is due to factors in the industry, but it's certainly through no fault of the book's. I heartily recommend it to anyone and everyone, even persons uninterested in antiques--for, while it IS about antiques, it's mostly (as the subtitle suggests) about PEOPLE.

This is a very good read, which I enjoyed as a woodworker/furniture maker rather than an antique collector/dealer. What befuddles in the extreme is why there was no photo of the Willing card table, I'd have loved to see the carving, as well as the rest of it. So I have to go to the library and dig up a couple of magazine articles (from the New York Times Magazine 1/16/94, for example) just to see it.

Pam

This book is amazing with the ideas of creating with old furniture. After recieving in the mail I just wanted to get started painting a dresser or creating my own piece of painted work. The desciption of the different techniques is very good. Top notch book.

I'm not looking to make an artistic statement, just remake some old furniture I inherited into something I can live with. I've looked for ideas and books for months, and when I found this in the library I loved it so much I bought too copies: one for me, and one for a friend with zero craft skills.

There are lots of ideas (so what if it's simple old decoupage? who'd have thought of pasting an entire poster on a dresser, or using lovely calligraphy?) The instructions could not be more well thought out and illustrated

There are lots of tips and "words to the wise" sprinkled throughout to avoid mishaps or just to make the project look better, and the projects are infinitely adaptable to whatever furniture or materials you have lying around.

There is something for (almost) everyone -- some projects are a little high brow artsy for my taste, some a little too country cute, but there are also antiquing and modernizing techniques, projects incorporating natural materials and descriptions of faux finishes. Materials, tools and techniques are thoroughly reviewed, patterns are provided, alternatives are suggested. There's even a section on repairing broken furniture in preparation for painting. Oh, and the index and table of contents are thorough and make it easy to find a project to go with the supplies or ideas you have already.

In a word, this is a wonderful book that does what it says it does -- gives folks with some ugly, broken or boring furniture inspiration and practical guidance to make something useful and attractive.

The title is deceptive as the contents is purely for the beginners and a lot of the projects are decoupaging. It would be a plus if the book includes more painting techniques. Thus, this is not a book for the experienced decorator or painter.

However, this book will be a good start for beginners who wanted to try their hand at less frightening furniture decoration projects. The projects in this book are not complicated and they come with easy to follow instructions, aided by beautiful photographs.

I would NOT recommend this book if you are an advanced artist looking for new and fabulous furniture ideas. I was disappointed after receiving this book. This book does not contain anything that is "to die for", just the plain ole basics. However, if you are a beginner, this book will give you the basics for step by step furniture preparation and materials. It has good information on tools and lots of materials that are important to the beginner.

If you are looking for beautiful old world style, modern or contemorary painted furniture, this book is NOT for you.!!
I recommend: "Sophisticated Surfaces" by Karen Aude. It has beautiful professional ideas for walls, floors and furniture. It features professional artists and sample pictures of their painted furniture, walls and floors.

This is a great book about decorative furniture painting. McGraw gives creative tips and techniques that I hadn't seen in other books, such as using caulking to create raised effects. She also shows you how to create your own block stamps on a roller to create consistent patterns. Although some of the projects aren't my style, many of them employ techniques that I definitely will use. I bought this book along with "Painted Furniture" by Diane Weaver because I wanted to paint some dressers that had been handed down to me and was looking for inspiration. This one is so much better than the Weaver book. I'm inspired to paint my kitchen table and chairs too. I was going to buy new kitchen chairs, but this book had an example of a painted chair that's exactly like mine. One of my chairs is wobbly and has been glued and clamped several times. This book gave me tips on how to really fix it and although I don't care for the floral motif on the example chair, I'm bursting with ideas for mine.

This is the best compendium of pictures and details about the Modern Furniture movement!

did not someone write that they are coming out with a new edition in fall 2004? this is the only problem with this edition. it is not updated. soon to be resolved it seems.

I was disappointed with the book and returned it. Nothing by Robsjohn Gibbings. Nothing by Harvey Probber. Only a single piece by Wormley. Only two by Finn Juhl. Instead, the selection seems weighted heavily toward austere Italian designs of metal and glass, esp. those produced in the 1960s and later. I did not expect the editors to show such a lack of interest in wood. And given the book's definitive-sounding title, I did not expect them to adopt such an rigid and uninteresting definition of "modern."

The third edition of Jerryll Habegger and Joseph H. Osman's SOURCEBOOK OF MODERN FURNITURE should be on the reference shelves of ANY serious interior design collection. Appearing in its third revised edition, SOURCEBOOK provides one of the most authoritative guides to furniture and lighting designs of the 20th and 21st centuries in print, pairing color photos with features of works by hundreds of notable designers. Photos arranged by type of furniture or fixture make it simple for quick look-ups, while lists of suppliers and indexes of designers and manufacturers provide invaluable cross-referencing.

As predicted, the 3rd edition is OFF THE HOOK!!! The 3rd edition, published in 2005, has close to 700 new entries. Nearly half of the photos are in color and the authors have included web site information for manufacturers. This latest edition is in the collection of prominent museums and academic institutions across the globe, especially universities which have significant design and architecture programs. This is certainly a must have edition for the intellectually astute connoisseur of furniture and design.

BTW, many of the listed reviews are referring to the 2nd edition which is now 10 years old!!! Check to be sure which edition other reviewers are referring to before making a purchase decision...you wouldn't want to miss out!!

Incredible research time spent on hand tools! For those that like collector tools this is the best book written.
Great photos & precise descriptions. No aficionado should should be without it.
Display it in a prominent place and your friends will be jealous!

As a "tool nut" I have had a fascination with tools of all kinds since I was a little boy at the knee of my craftsman grandfather. This book is candy for my tool sweet-tooth. The succinct narrative enhances the artistry of the photography and makes for an easy, but very interesting read and I have learned a lot from it. This book is one of my treasured volumes. My only complaint is that there are not more fascinating tools included in the volume.

This is not a very practical book, no not at all. If you have a real appreciation for old tools it is well worth owning. Okay it is tool porn. That's right - unadulterated, unforgivable, unjustifiable tool porn. It is a shame that innocent tools are exploited like this, but you will love it.

This is a spectacular collection of color photographs. The author has obviously sought out tools of great beauty and the editors have assembled them with care. Anyone interested in handtools and their history will be delighted. Those who are unable to understand the words in the book's title will perhaps be disappointed as the book is about art in an unexpected form.

This is a really nice book for those interested in fine tools. I was hoping to find information on how they were made. If you are a toolmaker, this book really does not include any drawings, sizes or build methods. If you are just looking for a nice historical record of works of art in tools - this is the book to get. Great pictures of Paul Hamler's miniature tools for those interested in his work too.

I'm afraid I have to go against the crowd here. Personally, I didn't take much from the book. It does contain a great deal of information, and some of it good, but it's actually too detailed to keep my interest. Ian also cuts tails first which is opposite of my own learning. That doesn't mean the advise is bad, just inconsistant with my basics. It does have good info on layout which I'll take from it, but the rest seems be "detailed overview" to me.

The book was well written and organized. THe pictures are especially good and made the process easier to understand. The book does an excellent job of detailing a process that simply takes quite a bit of practice to perfect.

Kirby has written extensively in magazines and I always enjoyed his articles. I believe he came from a traditional English woodworking backgroud which might explain his penchant for detail. In this book - 150 or so pages covering a single joint - he delves into every how and why imaginable for making dovetails. This is a real treasure trove for hands-on woodworkers. I found, too, after reading it that I started thinking more about all of my woodworking which (I think) improved it. A great resource that should be in all woodworking bookcases next to Krenov and Pye.

If you have ever watched the Frank Klaus video on handcutting dovetails and then went and then tried it...I know I got less than spectacular results. I guess there is a difference between someone needing to make a fully dovetailed drawer in 20 minutes to put food on the table vs me, joe woodworker that cranks out one project a month if I am lucky. I've read a million articles on dovetailing, and though many are good, this is certainly the best. Why? Kirby explains everything from stance to starting a kerf correctly. Really, if you can cut a straight line I think you can cut a dovetail, but cutting a straight line is very hard to do and Kirby addresses alot of that. The exercises seem sound and I cannot wait to try them. I don't think I will ever make a dovetailed drawer in 20 minutes using Kirby's methods, but I am sure it will improve my quality...and for joe woodworker, that may be good enough.

I have plenty of articles and books on cutting dovetails by hand. I have dutifully followed the steps, instructions, etc. provided yet my dovetails are still not as good as I would like them to be. However, Kirby's book is the first one that explained the basics in a clear form, provided a good set of steps and REASONS behind why things are done in a certain order.

After reading Kirby's book and following his techniques, my dovetails are far better. I also bought a copy for my brother, and he too likes this book alot.