No comments about At Home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past.

5 comments about The Encyclopedia of Furniture: Third Edition - Completely Revised.

1. This book is just what I was looking for: Illustrated descriptions of styles and terms used for furniture. If you want to know what terms like "cabriole" mean (for which you really need illustrations), this is probably the right book for you. I say "probably" because The Encyclopedia of Furniture was originally published in 1938 and the current edition was revised almost 50 years ago. Given that most of the material is historical, that's not as bad as it sounds
   
   The Encyclopedia of Furniture would benefit greatly from the better editorial and production values that computerized compilation methods have made possible. (Unfortunately, most publishers--reflecting the ownership of many by huge multinational media corporations--are more interested in how fast they can publish than whether the material is comprehensive or even factually correct.)
   
   Following are examples of the kinds of problems that could be eliminated with some editorial direction and modern production techniques (which will also give you an idea of what's covered by The Encyclopedia of Furniture):
   
   --The criteria for deciding what or who deserves an entry aren't clear. For example, an entry appears for William Morris but none for Breuer or Thonet. And does James Gillingham (an 18th century Phila. furniture maker whose name isn't identified with a chair or any other piece of furniture) warrant more space than either of these?
   --It appears that only photographic plates are numbered, but line drawings don't always appear adjacent to the text they illustrate. Because there are 1800+ illustrations, this can create confusion. For example, to what do the unlabeled line drawings numbered a-e at the top of col. 1, p. 389 refer (none of the text appearing on pages 388-389 appears to reference these).
   --The illustrations don't always appear with the most appropriate entry. For example, there's no illustration for KNEEHOLE but illustrations of kneehole desks appear under both DESK and ENGLAND.
   --The means of illustration are also sometimes inappropriate. PERIOD FURNITURE (p. 336) is illustrated by a hand-drawn timeline whereas it should have been typeset---or perhaps the timeline (which certainly deserves space in this encyclopedia) belongs someplace else.
   --In some places (e.g., the heavily illustrated ENGLAND section) the illustrations sometimes don't even fit the printed page (they just kind of slide off the end).
   --INTAGLIO (p. 262) references illustration 32, which is a Queen Anne armchair. Does this mean that the three-toed DRAKE FOOT of the chair leg is an example of intaglio? The entry is vague, and so is the illustration.
   --Running heads and folios are essential but are sometimes missing just where they are needed most (e.g., the lengthy ENGLAND section).
   
   This great reference is most deserving of an extensive, up-to-date revision.



2. Incredible reference for different pieces of furniture and motifs ranging from the beginning of construction to present. Used it for my History of Furniture class...pictures were very helpful examples and the accompanying captions and text were thorough.



3. I cannot stress enough how fabulous this book is - it really is Must-Have Resource book for ALL Design Libraries. Having studied the applied arts/ craft arts & design this book is a great reference guide and something I use to check on original & replica styles from furniture suppliers, especially for historical aspects to help further inform clients on their choices/ placement & ultimately purchases. If you love furniture, design or are in both - then this is a great addition to your resources.



4. If some one like antique furnitures, you got to have this book. it is very completely and tells you most the styles in the history.



5. This is a great visual encyclopedia for learning what parts of furniture and styles from different periods look like. When reading about a reproduction Greek klismos chair with sabre legs or a Louis XV commode with Sevres plaque and riband trim, there is nothing like a visual reference to understand what those words actually mean. Not a light read, but this is an important addition to the bookshelf of anyone really serious about being educated in elements of interior design.

5 comments about Designer's Guide to Furniture Styles (2nd Edition).

1. Used this textbook for my History of Furniture class...a great reference that I will keep when I finish the class as well. Glossary for terms is really weak but there are a lot of pictures demonstrating pieces.



2. Just wanted to say thanks... I, of course, picked the wrong edition, but I managed to survive. The other party was timely and efficient. I am grateful.



3. Price is incredible. Two Designer's Guides price at the Amazon was equal a price per one Designer's Guidebook in the Chapters' or Indigo. At the same time they were not available in these store and 10 days waiting time in order to get them. In Amazon - fast shipping! Thank you! It is real pleasure to have a business with you!



4. This book is wonderfully educational. It takes you back to the beginning of furniture and walks you through the centuries providing you with the intial inspiration through Modern design. Great pictures too.



5. Based on the reviews of this book I decided to buy it! To my absolute shock, I dont understand who wrote these great reviews??? They were probably written by the publisher or author of this book.
   What a waste of time and money. Being a designer myself, i ve got every possible book on interior design, and furniture styles that are out on the market. Based on the price of this book, and good reveiws, I figured it would be a great addition to my collection of books and references. Its poorly printed, very bad paper quality, no detailed shots of the furniture pieces, and not worth the price whatsoever. I mean if the publisher is charging this price, then the least they could do is print it on good paper and have clearer pictures.
   I am extremely dissapointed and returning the book asap.
   If u enjoy throwing your money away on a small book with poorly printed pictures(aside from the info, which is fine)then this is the book to buy . But if you are looking for details of furniture, including the background and history, and worth every penny, then i suggest you buy (Furniture: World Styles From Classical to Contemporary by Judith Miller )

5 comments about Home Book of Picture Framing: Professional Secrets of Mounting Matting, Framing and Displaying Artworks, Photographs, Posters, Fabrics, Collectibles, Carvings and More.

1. I was looking to acquire enough information to start framing a couple of items, and so wanted a book that would discuss the basics in detail. This book takes a more general introductory approach, including chapters on woodworking basics and various types of framing jobs--ideal for someone with no background looking to start framing as a hobby or business. If you have some woodworking background and know what type of framing you want to do, you should probably look elsewhere. However, if you want an introduction to the overall practice of framing, the types of tools and skills required, and are ready to pursue other information for deeper coverage, it's a good starting place.



2. This is a great book. I have always wanted to offer my customers top quality framed and matted photographs, but wasn't shure how to go about it. This book opened up a whole new world to me, and I bought some reasonably price tools and now I can frame and matt like a professional. This book is worth its' weight in gold.



3. Author writes from first hand experience and adds in good technical details. Good examples of using common tools and professional tools to create desired results. Many examples and pictures to show how to perform each step. Many areas of framing, matting, and hanging the art are covered. Many references to the best practices are included. Overall a very well written reference book. A great place to start, but include a lot of extra material so the intermediate framer will get a lot out of this book also.



4. This book focuses mostly on woodworking techniques and building picture frames, with a minimal amount on matting (using the Alto mat cutter), mounting, or aesthetics (choosing colors and proportions). Some modern methods of mounting (for instance, strip mounts in which no glue touches the artwork) aren't even mentioned here. This book might be useful if you want to focus on building picture frames, but for a more general introduction to the kind of framing I might do myself, including assembling frames, I found Logan's "Mat, Mount, and Frame It Yourself" more useful.



5. These questions are misleading - I ordered one book, and received and paid for two - I have sent emails complaining, and all I get back (weeks later) is this stupid email asking me to rate the book - which book? - where were you when I asked how I got two books? And how do I correct this? - but NO, instead you send me this idiotic questionaire about "the book" I received - is anybody there? Are you people there, or am I talking to a computer? You pretend to care, but it appears you are just robots - HOW DID I GET TWO BOOKS, AFTER ORDERING ONE, PAY FOR TWO and GET ZERO RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS?!! Your computer generated concern is phony - the books were fine, Amazon is suspect!

5 comments about The Chair: Rethinking Culture, Body, and Design.

1. it's a book i needed for studio and it got here in a timely fashion.



2. Purchase it believing there would be a history of the chair and its development through the ages.
   Very little on the history. The main body of the book deals with ergonomics and future design with very ametuer
   drawings.



3. This book is a really impressive interdisciplinary work, and was useful in helping me buy the "perfect" chair. (Actually one of the author's most interesting points is that a perfect posture does not exist, since movement is inherent in human bodies.) It would have been nice if the production was a little better with more sophisticated photos and colour, but the content is all there. Except that I feel the author should have made much more reference to the mind-body disciplines and meditation. For example, a key concept in meditation is that one should sit with one's back straight because the energy moves up the spine better that way. I was hoping to read something about how that relates to work and sitting in front of a workstation, as well as read about how sitting affects breathing. But other than that, a great book.



4. Galen Cranz on "The Chair"
   Reviewed by Rani Lueder, CPE
   
   This book is about seating and sitting. Having once spent my vacation scouring Europe's museums for the earliest representation of a chair (earliest I could find was 1570), I looked forward to opening its covers.
   
   Dr. Cranz teaches Environmental Design at the UC Berkeley Architecture Dept. Not surprisingly, she cuts a wide swath on seating, spanning history, sociology, industrial design, architecture, ergonomics, and holistic body/mind approaches - particularly the Alexander technique.
   
   Parts of her book are engrossing. In particular, her historical perspective of how chair design has evolved historically [if it is accurate] may be unmatched. Her discussion of the holistic aspects of posture is also interesting.
   
   That said, this book is NOT noteworthy for its review of the ergonomics research on sitting postures and seating. Much of it is plain hogwash.
   
   Throughout the book she refers to us as "ergonomicists" [should be "ergonomists"] and claims the discipline is derived from the Greek "ergon" and "omics" [should be "nomos" (laws)].
   
   It is sometimes painful to read her sweeping generalizations. Dr. Cranz writes that ergonomic researchers "have concluded that the workstation should be an indication of the worker's status" (p. 55) . . . and "status differences have to be maintained, ergonomicists say" (p. 56), citing as evidence two office planning guides written by and for architects that fail to mention ergonomics or ergonomists anywhere in the books.
   
   She misrepresents research, as when she castigates Dr. Etienne Grandjean's "poor reasoning" in Fitting the Task to the Man, writing "Amazingly, Grandjean starts with the slump as a goal" (p. 108). Drs. Grandjean et al's research actually documented computer users' self-selected postures. These researchers reported that rather than sitting upright, the computer users they observed tended to recline somewhat.
   
   She cites findings from a small laboratory study by Drs. Bendix et al. (12 subjects for 2 hours in 3 back support conditions) as proof that lumbar supports on chair backrests are unequivocally unnecessary (p. 109) - but not the many studies that contradict. Minor assertions are meticulously cited, but questionable conclusions often are not sourced.
   
   If you are looking for a thorough analysis of seated posture, this is not the book for you. It provides a unique and multidisciplinary perspective on the context of seating, but - please - take her review of the ergonomics research on sitting postures and seating design with a heavy dose of salt.
   
   Rani Lueder, CPE has consulted in occupational and product design ergonomics for over 25 years. Her activities on seating include co-organizing the Second International Conference on Sitting Posture, held in Tokyo. Her second edited book "Hard Facts" is about sitting postures and seating (Taylor & Francis). She served on the seating subcommittee for the American National Standard ANSI BSR/HFES 100. She consulted in the research and design of over 350 lines of seating. Her newest edited book is "Ergonomics for Children: Designing products & places for toddlers to teens" (2007, Taylor & Francis).



5. How many of us are aware of the furniture we use in our everyday lives? These are things we feel, touch and see everyday. Yet they are always in the back of our subconcious, we never really notice them, or realise how these pieces of furniture affect us physically, as well as psychologically.
   "The Chair" makes us look at the ordinary chair as something beyond a piece of furniture and as a symbol of wealth, status, honor, culture and comfort. In its own way, it shapes our everyday life and things related to it.
   The author traces the origins of the chair through human history and how it changed and evolved through the ages. Going deep into the issue of chair design, the author tears commonly held views about comfort into shreds and illustrates how these "comfortable" chairs actually harm the human body. After taking a good look at ergonomics, Cranz talks about the body's conciousness and how it is related to the sitting posture. With the help of somatics and the Alexander technique, she says we can improve the ways in which we sit and improve our comfort.
   What captured my attention the most was the manner in which this opens up the mind to different psychological and physical effects that a commonplace object like the chair can have on human beings and how we can improve our daily lives by thinking about these issues.

5 comments about Making Antique Furniture Reproductions: Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects.

1. This is a great book for those interested in making period furniture reproductions. Gottshall wrote about 5 books on this topic, all of them excellent, must haves. Perhaps his best, my favorite, is Masterpiece Furniture Making, not to be confused with one of his other books, Making Furniture Masterpieces, also very good.



2. 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.



3. 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.



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



5. 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.

5 comments about Field Guide to American Antique Furniture: A Unique Visual System for Identifying the Style of Virtually Any Piece of American Antique Furniture.

1. I purchased this book not really knowing anything about it but seeing it suggested in Miller's Price Guide. I went online to Amazon and found this copy at a VERY reasonable used price..
   
   Any antique furniture buyer will tell you it is so very hard to keep the details of different unique makers marks straight while out and about looking at furniture. Seeing antique furniture, no problem. You can spot it a mile away. But to get up close and discover where was it made, possible makers, era, etc. You really need to have the details at your finger tips.
   
   One good example is Chippendale. With the claw and ball example, there were many makers here in the Eastern states who made the claw and ball feature. Each state almost has its unique way of making its claw and ball different. Just slightly enough that if you did not know, someone could tell you the piece was manufactured in New York by a famous maker...when the features, very slightly would suggest an older date from say, PA.
   
   When I saw this book advertised it said over 1700+ pictures and I thought that may be wishful thinking! But indeed, this book is so full of drawings to accompany the features that it is very clear in demostation what to look for in your furniture. These are not full color photos, but rather line drawings which actually work better when you are looking at style rather than one particular example.
   
   I especially enjoy the way the book is categorized by era. It helps to show each era and how furniture changed with the era. The first chapter on the History of American Furniture is very informative!
   
   I will not ever be without this book again when looking at furniture!



2. Very helpful book! I now have a better sense of what to look for when going to antique/estate auctions. Also helped me estimate the age and style of a few pieces I already had.



3. this book seems to be pretty comprehensive, and the sketches are great! Wish I had this in college while studying period furnishings! Elements of the furniture are categorized by origin and style, great reference.



4. Get this one. It shows and tells what a novice needs to learn about antique furniture. Also...a great refresher for long-time antiquers.



5. This book is good for a quick reference. It is filled with sketches that are grouped into categories (chairs, tables, beds).
   It can help you identify the style of a piece of furntiture, but doesn't help authenticating the piece.

5 comments about Chairmaking & Design.

1. This book is great. I just finished the right angle chair and am moving into the shaker ladderback.
   
   One of the best parts about this books is that it is stepwise. Each chair in the series adds in another aspect of chairmaking. The chair I just finished focused on basic mortise and tenon joinery. The next one picks up the master angle and how to make the front of the chair wider than the back (with dowel joinery so you don't have to think about angled tenons). The chair after that adds in the angle tenons and tapered legs, and so on.
   
   I honestly believe that if you manage to work your way through the book not only will you have a really strong grasp on chairmaking but the rest of your woodworking will be much improved as well.
   
   I only wish that there was a second volume with more chair plans / designs.



2. Really, really a fine book. Recently, I have been putting together a no-frills poplar extension dining-table following the indications of a number of Fine-Woodworking's regular contributors. Both my brother and a friend (both of them carpenters) said, whatever you do, don't make your own chairs, it'll take a lifetime, which then led me to a fruitless and saddening search for a chair on the various "unfinished furniture" Websites. So, after receiving this particular title, I see that the included chapter on the dowel chair, which appears fairly easy to make, is perfectly analogous to the dining table I have been working on. So look around, I do not think you will find many books on the design and theory of dining room chairs, apart from this one. And thankfully, the inclusion of the gallery of chairs is only there to give one an idea of what it is to be a chair-design virtuoso. As for the rest, it largely concentrates on the essentials. For instance, roughly half of the designs as presented feature straight-back chairs, before introducing curved-back chairs towards the end.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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

4 comments about Furniture: A Concise History (World of Art).

1. I bought this book as a short refresher course of my furniture history knowledge learned in college. It did provide that refresher but I found it lacking somewhat.
   
   Despite being initially published in 1985, the book largely stops at mid-century modern (mid-50s/60s). Even the mid-century history is scant compared to earlier eras.



2. This is a well written and engaging book about the history of furniture from the Egyptian civilization to the present. It is full of examples and great photographs and emphasizes the meaning of furniture within the context of the society and the psychology of the individual.



3. Lucie-Smith addresses more than just stylistic developments in this book. He makes it easy to understand furniture history as it relates to social and political developments over time. For example, the advent of the printing press had a strong impact on furniture design in the 16th century. Of course! This all makes perfect sense now. Lucie-Smith's book is a great primer for those interested in furniture history.



4. Edward Lucie-Smith wrote so many books that I would be surprised he remembers this one. Every body needs to start a passion with a guide. This might be your choice. You will choose the directions you want to explore and will buy more recent and more specialised books afterwards.

5 comments about Sam Maloof, Woodworker.

1. This book is wonderful. It's in great shape and has beautiful pictures of Sam's creations.



2. For someone who loves to work wood with his hands, for someone who appreciates the work of a master artisan, or someone who loves beautifully crafted furniture, you will love this book. It not only has beautiful photos of some of Maloof's finest pieces, but gives great insight into how he achieved the results. This book is put together with real love and an eagerness to share with others who love to work in wood and make beautiful pieces of furniture.



3. I've been woodworking for a a little over a year and had read about Sam Maloof in articles here and there. A few months ago I got to visit the Sam Maloof foundation and I fell in love with the way he shapes his pieces of furniture. As part of the tour we got to sit on one of his rockers and not only do they look beautiful but they are amazingly comfortable. That's when I decided to buy this book to learn more about him and his art.
   This book includes Sam Maloof's story from when he first began and his experience as he grew into his woodworking career. It is inspiring to read and to see how he persevered even though it was not easy at the beginning. The book is full of pictures of his work, more than was available at the Maloof foundation. It includes a high-level description of how he makes his famous rockers too.



4. As you most likely know, Sam Maloof is an icon in the world of woodworking. This book does a great job of both highlighting his many creations as well as to tell the story of the man who would define an entire style and change the face of fine furniture. Written by Sam himself, the book gives you an insight into his genius and humility that you can't get anywhere else other than from the man. And it's clear he had creative input into the design of the book itself, as it's beautifully illustrated and elegantly laid out. I'm relatively new to woodworking and the brilliance of Sam Maloof, but I'm so glad I'm able to have discovered him while we're still blessed with his presence on the earth. Get this book.



5. IF YOU ARE INTO WOOD OR WOODWORKING AS MUCH AS I AM, OR EVEN IF IF YOU ARE ONLY INTO READING ABOUT GREAT ARTISTS/CRAFTSMEN, THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR YOU !! IT DETAILS WITH GREAT CLARITY SAM'S LIFE & WORK THROUGH BOTH PHOTOS & REMARKABLE WRITING. I FOUND IT INFORMATIVE & INSIGHTFUL!! DO NOT PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THIS BOOK !!!
   
   BILL