1 comments about Southern Furniture 1680-1830: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection (Williamsburg Decorative Arts Series) (Williamsburg Decorative Arts Series).

1. This book is incredible! If you've ever seen any of the furniture collection at Colonial Williamsburg, this book gives you all the details on the key pieces in the collection that the tour-guides just can't answer. Each piece is photographed, both exterior view and an interior view (drawers out, doors open, etc...), and full measurements. The best feature is that it also provides extensive history on the style and construction of each piece, complete with construction details (down to every last dovetail!). I picked it up for the woodworking information, but this book is also excelent for the historian.

4 comments about The New Fine Points of Furniture: Early American: The Good, Better, Best, Superior, Masterpiece.

1. If you have any interest at all in Early American Furniture, buy this book! Mr. Sack is one of the most knowledgable experts on this subject. This book shows you the subtle differences in what makes a piece good and what makes a piece great. Having his experise on this subject is invaluable if you have any interest in searching for early American antique furniture. He learned from his father, who had an amazing eye, and Mr. Sack shows you what he has learned. He is reknowned as an expert in the field of Early American Furniture. It is a shame that this book is out of print and that one must spend a great deal for a used copy, but this book is worth every penny. Maybe we will get lucky and he will revise it again, but I would not hold my breath.



2. Not a lot can be said here. If you want to see the best and have comparasions to look at as well. Or if you just want drool over real furniture this is the book. A must have for anyone who aspires to knowing what is truly art in furniture design.



3. If you want to truly study and develope an "eye" for the finer points of antique furniture this is a must have book.



4. A great book for any furniture collector. If you want to see why similar pieces of furniture vary so much in value, this is the book for you. Education for the eyes. I'm beginning to feel like an expert!

3 comments about Egyptian Woodworking and Furniture (Shire Egyptology).

1. A childhood fascination with things Egyptian has never left me, and my library is dotted with texts and picture books. It has occurred to me that, it would be fun if a bit of this enthusiasm leaked into my woodwork, but the truth is that Egyptian furniture grown fragile over time is poorly represented in collections, and information on the actual crafting and joinery is next to nonexistent. So when I saw Geoffrey Killen's little volume I picked it up.
   
   Killen is about as thorough as it is possible to be on what is, unfortunately, a low budget publication. Sixty pages, mostly black and white illustrations and photos, this certainly isn't a picture book. But I do have a much clearer idea of how woodcraft was done a few millennia ago. I would have liked a bit more attention paid to Egyptian aesthetics. Looking at the boxes and chairs I have the feeling that the Egyptian sense of proportion is different from out Western tastes.
   
   This lack isn't surprising. Nowhere does Killen pretend that this is a 'how to be an ancient Egyptian' book. It is a good start on the history of the subject, and provides a long list of museums where I can pursue more, and more colorful information.



2. This work is a good attempt to condense the topic of ancient Egyptian woodworking into a comprehensive whole. Hats off to Dr. Killian!



3. This is a typical Shire book, in that its length is 64 pages but packed with interesting and informative details. This popularly focused volume deals with woodworking materials; woodworking techniques and fittings; Predynastic and Early Dynastic periods through to the Roman Period. It gives a brief survey of collections in museums and provides a good glossary. All in all, it is a good refresher course for scholars and an excellent reference for beginners.

No comments about Old-Fashioned Frames CD-ROM and Book (Dover Electronic Clip Art).

1 comments about The Adirondack Chair: A Celebration of a Summer Classic.

1. I knew from the cover---a photograph of a well-worn and weather Adirondack chair---that I was in for a treat, and the pages that followed confirmed that impression. Here is a superbly written and well photographed treatise on the ubiquitous Adirondack chair, that distinctly American style of chair that one cannot resist sitting in with a good novel and beverage. Through a combination of poetry, prose, anecdotes, and meticulous research, Daniel Mack elevates this rather pedestrian piece of furniture into a position of royalty, and does so with style and flair.
   For those readers who, like myself after reading this book, are so moved to build an Adirondack chair, Mr. Mack offers plans and step-by-step instructions. The advanced woodworker will find the wide variety of chair designs contained in this book positively inspiring; novice woodworkers will find the plans and easy to follow step-by-step instructions particularly helpful. Even the casual reader will enjoy the rich historical perspective and outstanding photography.

4 comments about The Complete Guide to Furniture Styles.

1. A College textbook or reference-type book. Comprehensive--fine print. Seemed a good read, but I didn't like the set-up. All text was in the front, and the examples and photos were grouped in the back. One would need to flip back and forth to view examples of the subject matter. Didn't work for me.
   
   This is the only reason I gave it a low rating, and returned the book.



2. As a college educator in the history of architecture, furniture and the decorative arts I think the Boger is a very good overall text both to students and interested others. Information on furnitre prior to Gothic is the weakest, and would reccomend other texts to satisfy those needs. Photographic reproduction quality in some instances barely passable.



3. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer--this book is FILLED with pictures in the back half of the book. The pictures are disappointingly all black and white, but it keeps the cost down I suppose. This is the best resource for visual identification of styles from Egyptian through Twentieth Century that I have seen, and I have seen quite a lot of them. The front half of the book is very detailed information about each of the styles as well as specific pieces within each style. It's not something you can read from cover to cover, as the details would quickly overcome you. But it is a wonderful reference book for anyone who wants to be able to look up a particular style, read about it, and look at many pictures to visually understand general characteristics of the style.



4. THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO FURNITURE STYLES is a well written guide to the history of different periods of furniture. It states the history of the period and crucial pieces with a description of the piece. There are very few pictures, so if you are looking for a guide to train your eye to note characteristics of period pieces, this will not help you. If you are looking for a written description of the pieces, this book is for you.

2 comments about Stickley Brothers Furniture: Identification and Value Guide (Identification & Values).

1. I never write reviews but I really feel ripped off by this book and I would like others to be able to avoid that.
   
   I bought this book after acquiring an early Stickley Brothers dining room set (table, chairs, buffet, china cabinet) and I wanted to find out more about them. Where better to start than with a book called "Stickley Brothers Furniture?"
   
   If you know anything about Stickley furniture (and I don't profess to be an expert), you know that there were several brothers who manufactured arts and crafts furniture, under several company names. There was Gustav Stickley, Stickley Brothers Furniture Company, L & JG Stickley Furniture Company, Stickley/Brandt Furniture Company, etc.
   
   Out of 238 pages in the book, 126 are devoted to Gustav Stickley and 31 devoted to Stickley Brothers. The rest are devoted to very spotty coverage of L & JG Stickley and Charles Stickley (who gets all of 8 pages). So the book titled "Stickley Brothers Furniture" devotes maybe 15 percent of its content to Stickley Brothers furniture.
   
   While the illustrations are very attractive (evenly lit, in focus, no distracting background), they are apparently all lifted from a single auction house's catalogs. This is clearly with the auction house's consent as there is a lengthy piece about how great the auctioneers are (presumably the price for using their photos).
   
   There is virtually no real effort at scholarship or teaching ways to "identify and value" the furniture, though the prices realized at auction (no date given) are included.
   
   So for your money, you get virtually nothing but the catalog entries for a miscellaneous lot of furniture that happened to go through that particular auction house's inventory.
   
   This is not a book that will increase your understanding of Stickley furniture (and particularly Stickley Brothers furniture) unless you have never read anything about this topic in your life. And if that's the case, you would be much better served with another book. There are quite a lot of good ones out there.



2. The graphics in this volume are outstanding! The book is a highly informative volume for Stickley furniture.

1 comments about Taste and Power: Furnishing Modern France (Studies on the History of Society and Culture , No 24).

1. Collectors of European furniture are advised to read this book to understand how French styles were produced over a long period of time and how to tell real 18th century Louis XVI from 19th century reproductions. The French social history of furniture manufacture and consumerism in this book is quite amazing and readable. I strongly advise the book for dealers, collectors, decorators and collectors.

4 comments about Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!.

1. As an Interior Designer I found this book an interesting read. I like to check out books written for the public to see what kind of advice is being given (there's a lot of bad information out there). This book offers insight into the furniture buying world of which the public is often unaware. Be warned, though, if you are used to bargain hunting this isn't likely to help you find a $50 sofa or $30 dresser. This is intended for people who want to buy better quality, long-lasting furniture. (she talks about good dressers starting at $1200 - for some people this may seem like a lot of money).
   
   It is also most helpful for people who live near a city as she talks a lot about shopping design showrooms. One thing I did not see mentioned is that trade showrooms usually require that public shoppers be accompanied by a trade professional or at the very least have a legitamate letter from one (and an appointment) stating exactly what the client will be looking at. Many of these places will not offer assistance or pricing to the public without such. You'll need to investigate this prior to embarking on your shopping trip. If such is the case, your best bet here is to have a design professional aid in the process or you will have to pay outrageous retail prices. The Design Center usually offers these services (for a fee).
   
   That said. She does explain a lot of terminology found in furniture buying as well as many pitfalls (one being that your average furniture salesperson's opinion varies markedly and can often be based on fabricated speculations). Ms. Letwin also offers an education on furniture styles for those who are interested.
   
   If you are shopping for quality pieces that you plan to have for the rest of your life you may find this book helpful. It pays to be forewarned. For the price it can't hurt to get this book.



2. Enjoyed the book. Learned about furniture shopping. Especially good for people that live near the cities whose furniture stores she reviewed.



3. This book was such a great help. I use it as a source for everything, most recently for online antique shopping. I never would have known which stores to check out -- and to trust -- without the information I found in this book. It's great.



4. I recently purchased a new home and had decided that I wanted completely different furnishings. I had no idea where to start and Best Furniture Tips became an invaluable guide. It enabled me to understand various styles,furniture terminology, what to look for in a piece of furniture and information on how to negotiate prices.
   
   I especially liked the advice and insights from some of the nation's top designers. Since I travel frequently the book was easy to take along and enabled me to check out design centers and stores in other cities in my spare time.
   
   Litwin has a pleasant writing style that explains in easy to understand English all the furniture jargon and pricing structures which many times seem overwhelming to a buyer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is contemplating a furniture purchase. Armed with this, one can confidently enter any store and not feel like a babe in the woods.
   
   One suggestion, buy her previous book, Furniture Hot Spots to find out where the really good stuff is.

No comments about Thomas Elfe.