Furniture Books

I was skeptical about buying used books, but this was an attractive price. The book was shipped promptly and was in excellent condition.

It was actually my adult daughter who bought this magazine for her father for his birthday. She mentioned that she loved it very much and that she saw many projects she would like to undertake with her father. He is supposed to receive the magazine today for his birthday, so we'll see how he is looking at it.
Sorry, I can't add any link to this review, as my husband doens't have his present yet, nor has he had a chance to make a project. Though we are convinced, that he too will enjoy it very much.
Anyway, my daughter and I found it to be quite educational, well presented, and are looking forward to seeing some created results. The descriptions on how to make the furniture is so clear that anybody could follow them. Great job in putting this magazine together. Thanks!

Although many of the plans in this book are largely derived from Wood Magazine articles (I compared the Morris chair plans), I really appreciate two things they've done to enhance the original articles:

1. The book includes jigs such as a table saw tenon jig that makes it much easier to make Arts and Crafts furniture (with so many mortise and tenon joints). I built this jig before starting the Morris chair and it works well.

2. The combination of the multi-issue plans such as the Morris chair and its companion ottoman and coffee table. While the words are the same, they've reformatted them along with the pictures so it looks like a book rather than a reprint of old articles.

My only quibble is that they didn't use a lay-flat binding, so I have to put something on top of the open page or use a book holder to keep it open. With lay-flat bindings being readily available (e.g., O'Reilly books are a good example), I don't see why they don't use them for project books like this one.

My sister in law wanted this book for her Christmas gift. She is an antique appraiser. I was a bit unsure of ordering a used book for a present but when it came I was happily surprised to see that the book was in excellent condition. I will be pleased to give the book to her at Christmas. LD

Winterthur is THE finest collection of American Federal Furniture in the world, it is simply a singular collection. This book is very well conceived, the text is well researched and the images are crisp. Mr. Dupont was one of the first major collectors of American Furniture of the Federal Period, and he had a great eye for the best pieces. We are so lucky that he kept his beloved collection intact and he was generous enough to create a museum to showcase this spectacular collection and allow the public to appreciate the beauty of this amazing craftsmanship. American Federal Furniture is now some of the most expensive and sought after furnture in the world, but at the time Mr. DuPont began collecting it was not sought after at all, the wealthy wanted French Furniture, this was considered beautiful and American Federal Furniture was considered too understated, Mr. DuPont, because of who he was, really changed peoples mind on this style of furniture and we owe him a debt of gratitude for this. I recommend this book to anyone with a love for beautiful things.

This is one of the best books I've encountered on decorative paint effects.Sloan has a background in decorating and restoring old houses and is familiar with all the "authentic" techniques used to achieve certain effects, which inspires confidence in her instructions.

Photos of the effects and pitfalls you may encounter give the instructions much more clarity than most of the books on the subject.

The book is truely useful and lives up to the subtitle "a Practical Guide"

Truly one of my favorite books on my shelf. Annie provides lovely illustrations and simple instructions to guide you through basic and more detailed techniques Great project ideas too!

Most antique books will tell you the book value of antiques and how to discern the real thing from a forgery. This book is different. It is written by Genevieve Weaver, who is antique dealer with her own shop. She has formed her own philosophy which focuses mostly on the aestetic of antiques, instead of collecting for book value. She suggests buying for decorative value and practicality, having antiques around the house that you can use. Antiquing, as she will tell you, is a form of investment, because antiques, as long as they are in good condition, have positive resale value.
After Genevive has covered her personal philosophy, she teaches her readers about decorative techniques such as focal points and overscaling. Then gives hints about how to decorate various "problem" spaces, such as hallways and landings.
Lastly in this book, you are shown finished homes which are furnished with antiques, and different ways to go about collecting them. The entire book is wonderfully put together, with full-page, full-color pictures and poetically written text.

Having decided to furnish my house as if an adult lives there, I developed an interest in antiques. This book contains wonderful useful information about decorating with antiques. It even discusses how to use antiques in a modern decor. This is not a book for the collector/investor going after bargains and valuable pieces. It is for someone who will bring antiques into the home to enjoy! The photographs are stunning. They were the selling point, but text is just as good. The author discusses such topics as texture and pattern, mixing styles, anchor pieces, working with color, etc. The author also makes the case for decorating with antiques and provides information about buying from dealers. Easy and fun to read - full of useful practical information. I'm now hooked on antiques and buying with confidence.

I had expected more general treatment of the collectables, such as materials, form, etc., and perhaps less in the line of the Very High Priced items. Still, it is a good reference to get the general idea of Art Deco style. Great photos, and some amazing pieces in here. Couldn't beat the used price, either. (under $10.00)

This book is devided into eight chapters: furniture, textiles; glass; ceramics; jewlery; silver and metal ware; sculpture; and posters and graphics. Each chapter opens with an introductory overview that discusses the historical background of the medium and its place in the history of Art Deco. Profiles of the most important Art Deco designers and factories are given and then followed with examples of their work. Each page is filled with beautiful photographs of Art Deco objects and 2005 estimated prices.

Many books on the history of Art Deco and Modernism profile the same iconic pieces. These are works that are mainly in museums and in the hands of very wealthy collectors. The beauty of this book is that a potential collector can get an idea of the wide range of Art Deco pieces that are still readily available to be purchased.

The term Art Deco covers a wide range of material objects and this book should not be seen as a guide to help one determine the price of particular items. This book is a general reference and it is unlikely that one will find the exact items pictured in the book.

Finally, this book is published by DK and in usual DK fashion it is jammed with beautifully photographed objects. This book is a visual pleasure.

Economic anthropological study of a localized craft tradition. Dongyang wood carvers (but also carpenters and construction companies) have succeeded in esablishing a unique identity in national and international markets. It also helps us understand how the PRC's takeover and "socialization" of the woodcarvers' shops with their master-disciple traditions efectively destroyed the artistic autonomy of the craftsmen themselves.

This is an excellent first hand portrayl of the the Dongyang County in China. Eugene Cooper, USC prof., spent 6 months in China studying the Dongyang County. This book is worth the money.

Generous use of photography and well wrought text lend justifiable props to the Anglo forbears of the movement in this well presented survey of the furniture form. If you're a lover of the style and yearn to sip from a well frequented by English craftsmen then you'll not be disappointed with this volume.

Drink deeply!

All of the Arts and Crafts furniture pictured in over 250 clear color photographs of varying sizes and detail exhibit the qualities of "careful proportion, fine painstaking cabinet work, attention to detail, [and] excellent materials" while nonetheless intentionally designed in tune with the "vernacular" idiom. There's a brief history of the beginnings and path of the Movement. But what is of most interest is the many chapters on individual craftsmen--and a few women--and designers and commercial makers of the furniture. Individuals and companies in both the United States and England are included. There are more than 30 chapters on these with enough description and commentary and visual material for guidance in identifying pieces by respective artists, artisans, and manufacturers. This volume of material with its innumerable details is kept from being confusing or overwhelming by the book's expert organization, no doubt guided by Andrew's expertise and discrimination in the Arts and Crafts Movement. British antique furniture and a general work on collecting antique furniture have been previous books by this author. The influence of Eastlake and William Morris and the work of Stickley and Wright are given ample due, to be sure; but Andrews also covers many not so well known figures and groups, including The Women's Guild of Artists, Gordon Russell, James Henry Sellers, the Glasgow firm of Wylie and Lochhead, and also a group of "Unknown," to name only a few. With the many individuals plus the companies making the Arts and Crafts furniture and the precedents and history, the work is a comprehensive, handsomely illustrated treatment of this area of antique furniture which continues to hold its desirability and value.

the book discuss the evolution of chair, and then studies the different type of furniture such as chairs, beds, tables, cabinets, screens, and stands. each have very good examples and explanation of its origin.
however, I have to point out the very first line of this book "china was the only nation in East Asia, indeed the only nation outside the West, to adopt the chair-level mode of living before the modern period." is incorrect. In late Shilla and Koryo period of Korea, Korea have also adopted chair for government palaces and other government offices, but decided not to use for residences (probably because of extreme cold and space, and preferred the "ondol" floor heating system).
Western scholarship still lack proper viewpoint of China, Korea, and Japan. However, this book is quite very good, and much better than her other book "Ming Furniture in Light of Chinese Architecture".

Essential reading for all interested in fine design (East, West, North, or South), this work may well be the most beautiful book published this year.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I ordered this book, but I'm not disappointed. There is a lot of history and great information! Just not quite what I was looking for!!
The book is heavy on history and information with line drawings. Lots of information about the exterior with little about the interior or furniture. There is a small but very nice kitchen roombox in the back!
If you are looking for Tudor tutorials, especially furniture and accessories, for a doll's house, this may not be the book for you. There are other books with more specific doll's house or miniature accessory related items available.
Overall, this is a great book for my library and I have referred to it often when building my Tudor doll houses!

I love the historical accuracy in miniature settings. This book is a must for anyone who has an interest in historic tudor/ half-timbered houses. Whether miniaturist or not.

In addition to the houses themselves the author also discusses period furniture.

This book deserves more than 5 stars in my opinion

While it is nice to see the completed projects with full plans, the most important thing we took away from this book is technique. We feel we can pretty much mosaic anything that comes across our path now! As a result, we looked at a particularly ugly cement slab that was under an outside faucet and saw an opportunity. We mosaiced it (that's mom and her 7 year old) and it is now a focal point instead of a eye sore.

If you're just getting started this is a great way to go. It worked with us!

This book is an excellent sequel to Ms. Sheerin's first offering, Mosaics In an Afternoon. If you haven't had the opportunity to peruse either book, you are missing out on the chance of a lifetime to add pizazz to your home!

Most of the projects offered in this book would make excellent gifts, art pieces for sale, or decorations to grace your own home. Not only will you find the complete instructions for each project, you'll find informative lessons on how to be a mosaic designer yourself!

Highly recommended book!