No comments about American Furniture 1997 (American Furniture).

No comments about Shaker Furniture Makers.

1 comments about English Country Furniture: 1500-1900.

1. The book is filled with page after page of pictures of English country funiture. Every type of furniture is covered: beds, tables, washstands, clocks, chairs (lots of chairs), desks, cupboards, sideboards, hutches and lots of other miscellany. The examples are many and they give an excellent feel of the variety and quality of furniture from this period/area.
   
   Most of the photos have a brief description which usually includes the type of wood(s) used and some text that puts the piece in context. All of the photos show the date and location of manufacture.
   
   The text has a great discussion on construction (dovetails, nails, etc.) but the discussion is general; rarely is there a discussion of joinery techniques regarding a specific piece.
   
   Most of the photos are black and white (>80%) with four sections of color plates. There is only one photo of each piece, which is a shame for pieces that have interiors, such as cupboards and sideboards
   
   This book gets only four stars because dimensions are not given for any of the furniture. I really wish that dimensions were provided to give a sense of scale.

5 comments about The Gilded Edge: The Art of the Frame.

1. The Gilded Edge is a beautifully comprehensive explanation of American period framing. Not only is it informative, but includes detailed pictures of the frames it describes. What an educational account of the bond between the frame and the art it surrounds. A must have and wonderful gift for anyone interested in art or framing!



2. A wonderful reference book. The frame and painting have never looked so good together.



3. This is a great addition to any library. It is a truly eye-opening publication about the rich history and art of framing over the years. You'll never look at a painting the same way again.



4. As a painter I have always loved art, but I never gave the frame much consideration due to the fact that my, as well as many of my contemporaries', paintings are unframed. Upon reading "The Gilded Edge" I realized not only the importance of the frame throughout art history, but also the importance of the frame in terms of the paintings themselves. There are lots of gorgeous photos of frames as well as their respective paintings. Also featured are detailed descriptions of the methods of construction as well as the reasoning behind the aesthetic criteria of the frames. This book has opened my eyes to the importance of frames as well as their beauty. It's a must buy for anyone interested in art.



5. With unparalleled insight from key contributors, this is an exquisite measure of a book. The Gilded Edge is a celebration of the rarity and awareness of American period frames. Eli Wilner blends the perfect amount of knowledge with striking visuals to leave you wanting to learn more. The Kuehne frame on page 43 is one frame among many that will open your eyes to the depth and magnificence of the history of framing.

No comments about Herman Miller 1940 Catalog & Supplement: Gilbert Rohde Modern Furniture Design With Value Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1 comments about American Windsor Chairs.

1. You'll need a library table to properly read or simply refer to particulars about specific chairs or makers, or even regional characteristics. It is the standard reference on the subject. But for a subject that often shines with the beauty that so many people appreciate about American decorative arts, the book is a bit stiff in its appearance, particularly if you're familiar with Charles Santore's two books on the same subject. Where his is a visual feast, hers is a compendium of the most up-to-date knowledge on the subject.
   Together, they provide all you'll need to know and appreciate about American windsor chairs.

No comments about New England Furniture: The Colonial Era.

No comments about Cincinnati Art Carved Furniture: And Interiors.

1 comments about Early L. & J. G. Stickley Furniture: From Onondaga Shops to Handcraft.

1. First of all I would like to say that this book is not intended to be a how-to manual of furniture plans, but rather a look into one company's past catalog during a great movement in American furniture.
   
   The book is broken into three sections: 'Introduction', 'Saleman's Catalog', and 'Retail Plates'. The introduction includes some basic background on the importance of the Stickleys to the Arts and Crafts furniture movement. The salesman's catalog section contains a vintage price list as well as some rare black and white photographs and many sketch drawings of Stickley pieces (probably useful back then to the salesman trying to come up with just the right piece to satisfy a demanding customer). The retail plates are a collection of more intricate drawings of the Stickley furniture. These drawings are more detailed and often give basic dimentions of the furniture and a listing of the type of wood/materials found in the piece.
   
   I have found the 260 illustrations of early Stickly furniture contained in this book to be an interesting history lesson as well as a useful tool for generating ideas in furniture design. If you are like me and really love the Arts and Crafts style, buy this book and learn more about the wide range of furniture offered by the premiere company to build it in the Unites States.

No comments about Mouldings & Turned Woodwork of the 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries: A Collection of Full-Size Sections and Details.