Reviews (30)

review
This book has many excellent details in obscure construction situations.Some are a bit better in theory than practice; however this book will make an excellent companion when in a pinch and lacking creativity.For the most part the book describes better practice (check local codes before taking it as gospel) for say a designer or general contractor not entirely sure or alien to specific methods of contractors or subcontractors.Don't expect a book to read from cover to cover but a quick reference.

Great Series
I found this series of books to be very well written and drawn.What is great is that they present several different ways to accomplish a task, instead of limiting you to one conventional method.The writing is very clearly written, and I own and recommend all three books in these series.Excellent reference.

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction
Start at the beginning... The spiral metal binding is great, a real manual, easy to keep page being referenced open infront of you. Graphically the pages are consistent in their layout and composition so that the important information is easily seen. Not like many references where drawings,details and notes from different sources are obviously pasted into pages. It reminds me of the famous Architectural Sheet Metal manual published by SMACNA, that is a part in nearly every architect's reference library.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    6. Drawings    7. Framing (Building)    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Wooden-frame buildings    11. Building construction & materials    12. House & Home / Reference    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (30)

Simply excellent, from start to finish
This book is a must. It will show everything from start to finish.

It helped me with my DIY furniture !
As I went into some DIY woodworking projects and needed some help, I bought this one together with another Taunton series: Gary Rogowski's "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery". Excellent books both of them. The sections are very well balanced and the techniques are discussed starting from a logical sequence in a furniture building project (framework, joinery, sides etc). Moreover, it gives you freedom to choose the most appropriate technique but you also have the basics (without power tools) which is very helpful in order to understand them better. No fuss about gear and promotion of one brand or another, the book it is very careful about that and it gives you freedom to choose between category of tools and not vendors. Also it has some chapters about wood finishing which are very well done, providing information in a very concentrating manner. For this one alone Taunton convinced me to buy another one, Jeff Jewitt and Susan Jewitt's "Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing". The photographs are beautiful and high quality print (it is printed in Italy, famous for its publishers) and worth the money. Really, you have a lot to learn if you are a beginner or mid-advanced in the art of woodworking and it is a very practical lecture whenever you want to build something wood-wise. Also, the book is a very good reference for those that are teaching these techniques given the quality of the pictures and clarity of text. Five stars, worth every penny IMO.

Ideal Starters
As you would come to expect from Taunton Press Books, they know their stuff when it comes to woodworking. The person who would like this book would be someone who is looking for an overview of all the techniques and hardware that can be used to create fine furniture. It tries to accomplish a lot in one book. So if you are looking for a book to be a idea starter, this is a good reference. I would suggest that you get this to set the foundation and add more books as you pick up a technique you would like to learn more about.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Cabinetwork    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Furniture    7. Furniture making    8. House & Home    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. Woodworking    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking   

Reviews (40)

Informative but not comprehensive
I had the idea that I would make my own very customized concrete countertops, but after reading the book I decided on granite instead.
Concrete a la carte
If you want to see everything that can possibly be done with concrete, this is your book.
Great Book
With out saying too much this book covers everything you need to know about DIY concrete countertops.Equipment to time involved very well worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete    2. Countertops    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    10. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    11. Building skills    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. House & Home / Design & Construction    14. House maintenance    15. HOUSE & HOME / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (6)

very original designs
I found this book very helpful in my artwork. I also was very pleasantly surprised to find it enjoyable to read. There are stories of folklore explaining the beginings of the differents dragons and thier formations from one type to the other. The designs themselves are beautiful to look at. I am constantly researching diffrent designs/drawings of dragons and find few that I like. I was very pleased with this book and its one of my favorites among the rest of my collection.

Great Book of Dragon Patterns:the Ultimate Design sourcebook for Artists and craftspeople
I love not only do you get help with drawing and patterns, you get a history lesson on types if dragons.

Dragons galore
Dragons galore, the renditions of the dragons in this book are great as far as they go, there are a lot of dragon heads, there could have been more on the body, having said that I would like to congratulate the writer on the dragon law and types of different dragons, even though short and concise it was very interesting giving the reader a reasonable amount of information on different breeds and sub species of dragon.
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Dragons    5. Dragons in art    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Reference    9. Subjects & Themes - General    10. Techniques - Drawing    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    12. Decorative arts & crafts   

Reviews (11)

Detailed Information
Very clear and detailed information.All steps are covered.This will be in my shop, close at hand!

Required for all wood workers out there...
Great book.Presents all the tricks of the trade for finishing wood projects.This book helps me to manage all my finishing tasks much easier.No longer do I "hope" for a match when it comes to staining.Through the techniques presented I have been able to take most of the guess work out of the process.I highly recommend this book for those serious about their project finishes.

Jewitt does it again!
There have already been excellent & thorough reviews of Jewitt's newest book on finishing - but I must 'object' to the quite negative 1* rater who was disappointed that the book did not contain enough information on re-finishing - Jewitt's book is entiled '....Finishing' implying on how to prepare & use finishing products on new wood.There are plenty of other books on re-finishing, and if one is looking for a specific need then a review of the contents of the book or a perusal of the book in a store and/or library would seem a first suggestion.Bottom line - if you need a book on how to finish your 'new' projects, then this is an excellent choice; having said this, I am currently reading the new edition of Bob Flexner's book on finishing - another outstanding contribution to this often confusing area (and let me warn those who are interested in 're-finishing' - only one chapter, so don't apply). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture finishing    4. House & Home    5. Woodfinishing    6. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    7. Woodworking    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (7)

Waste of time and MONEY!
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.
Good Guide
I was not impressed when I received this book, with the quality of the paper or the overall presentation.I thought some of the photography left much to be desired quality-wise.However, it is quite a comprehensive book and I leaned on it considerably in my studies of furniture and design.So don't let me put you off.I just think that, with all the research and hard work involved, and considering the price, a better quality might have been forthcoming.

Like Cliff Notes for Furniture!
This book has brief history lessons on furniture from the begining of time!It's a great reference when you need an answer about a design period- quick! A must for every Interior Designer! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Decorating - General    4. Design - General    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. Interior Design - General    8. Styles    9. Art / Design / General    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (25)

Exceptional, but not perfect!
This book contains a great wealth of information, my only complaint is the data is not referenced for sources of information.Trying to verify or follow up on specific information is not easy.

Excellent book
After you've advanced past the Time-Life 'how to' style books, get this one.
Analise em Lingua Portuguesa (In Portuguese)
Ainda nao li o livro de forma exaustiva, mas do que li pareceu-me um bom livro para Engenheiros do sector das Madeiras ou para pessoas com conhecimentos de Ciencias suficientes para perceber os conteudos abordados. Para os outros, penso que tambem podera ser um bom livro, mas neste caso terao de se ficar por uma analise mais qualitativa. Enfim, estou satisfeito com a compra que realizei, e estou mesmo a pensar comprar o outro livro deste este autor (Identifying Wood - ISBN 0-942391-04-7). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. House & Home    4. Wood    5. Woodwork    6. Woodwork - General    7. Woodworking    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (5)

"Du Marivaudage" or about Seduction in french style fashion and interiors
This is a book you will enjoy. It will appeal to anyone interested in decorative arts in France between 1750 and 1789. The fashion focuses on dress and its aesthetic interplay with art, furniture, and the decorative arts of the period. Presented in a dramatic setting, the beautiful pictures of the Metropolitan Museum exhibition explore the dressed body's spatial negotiation of the 18th-century interior as a choreography of seduction and erotic play.

Stunning collection of costume photos
Beautiful full color photographs of the Met's Louis XIV's clothing collection and furniture.Manequines are dressed in beautiful originals and posed in drawing rooms and boudoirs in real life poses, flirting, playing piano, having their hair done, playing cards.The photographs are very well done, clear and the detail pieces will be a boon to any costumer.I highly recommend this book for costumers and other historical clothing buffs.

Fusion of Fashion and Style, done with amazing grace
When I was young, I read a biography for children about the tragic Marie Antoinette, last queen of France, and found myself enthralled by the exquisite decorative arts of the time. It was a culture that viewed that every surface and substance was an opportunity to embellish and use. Sometimes the end results were overblown, but also managed to stay on the edge of good taste.
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Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Clothing and dress    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Design    7. Design - Decorative    8. European    9. Exhibitions    10. Fashion    11. France    12. Furniture    13. History    14. History - General    15. Metropolitan Museum Of Art - Exhibition Catalogs    16. Art / Design / Decorative    17. Fashion design    18. Furniture & cabinetmaking    19. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (6)

A Real Eye Opener
I have only been selling Japanese Antiques for a short time and I found this book is fantastic to show potential tansu customers. It has also helped us (Japanache dot com dot au) with selection when on buying trips to Japan and restoration once back in Australia.
Strong on Art , Light on Craft
I am biased; I am a woodworker.This is actually a terrific book offering a huge collection of beautiful photos, and an extensive commentary about the role of Tansu in Japanese lifestyle and culture.However the craft of making Tansu was not well represented.From the title I would have expected more on tools, techniques and joinery.

A Tansu Tribute
If you are fascinated by the creation of handmade Japanese cabinetry, this is one of the few books you can find on the subject because for some reason, the cabinetry of Japan is one of the least recorded aspects of Japan's woodworking history. Throughout this guide, you will find lush photographs of opaque and transparent lacquered chests, their hand-forged iron handles and the tools of the trade. I especially enjoyed the hand-colored photos of family life, rice fields and the textile sellers. Not only do you get to glimpse this magical world of Zen temples and street merchants selling sweet rice drinks, you will be able to view page after page of stunning merchant chests, bedding chests, clothing chests and mizuya-dansu (kitchen cupboards).
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Architecture    3. Cabinetwork    4. Chests    5. Furniture    6. General    7. Japan    8. Antique furniture    9. Art / Design / Furniture    10. Furniture & cabinetmaking   

Reviews (5)

Great ideas!
To make the most of our new home, I was looking for ideas for custom made cabinetry and other storage options.
Great ideas
I want to install severeal built-ins in my older home, as space is limited.This book definitely gave me lots of ideas. The pictures are excellent and really provide inspiration - whether you copy exactly or adapt the ideas to meet your needs.Full of ideas and inspiration - not a how-to.

Talk about IDEAS!
This book, by far, exceeded my expectations!It is full of wonderful photos - cover to cover.We are getting ready to build a new home and we will definitely use a few of these creative ideas.
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Subjects:  1. Built-in furniture    2. Cabinetwork    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Home Maintenance And Repair    8. House & Home    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Storage in the home    11. Woodworking    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. House & Home / Design & Construction    14. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (21)

The One to Have
Leonard Lee's "The Complete Guide to Sharpening" is a wonderful (make that essential) addition to the home or shop library. A writer once told me that a really good title should only fit one book, and this one certainly does. After reading the table of contents I was awakened to the idea that almost every tool needs something sharpened, reshaped, or polished to perform its tasks the best. How about sidecut pliers, tweezers, various drill and router bits? They're covered in this book.I appreciate the photographs and illustrations of various cutting edges under extremely high magnification. The whole "a picture is worth a thousand words" cliche takes on serious meaning in this book. Some prospective buyers may look at the sheer scope of this work and think it's overkill -- too comprehensive for most hobbyists. I strongly disagree. This work should be read, followed, and kept for future reference. I would not have thought of sharpening my pruning shears, hedge trimmers or other tools had I not purchased this book. I find it well-written, comprehensive in scope, founded in facts, and easy to follow. I consider this book the equivalent of a doctoral dissertation on sharpening. Buy it and use it.

Now my tools are scarey sharp!
Prior to reading Mr. Lee's book my approach to sharpening was to fire up the grinding wheel and make some sparks fly from the tool's cutting edge.The results were less than satisfactory.I needed a mentor.
Best Book for Sharpening Skills
This is the best book by far that I've found for sharpening every tool in the workshop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry tools    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hand Tools    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Power Tools    7. Reference    8. Sharpening of tools    9. Woodwork    10. Woodwork - Tools    11. Woodworking    12. Woodworking tools    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Woodworker's Tool
A basic guide that covers just about all you need to know on the subject.Taunton is always the source to use for the best in anything to do with carpentry and home repair.

Starting Out Right
It's not like me to wax poetic over a an introductory how-to book, but Lonnie Bird's tome on Using Woodworking Tools really is one of the finest effots I've ever seen.Taunton continues to set the bar with their 'complete illustrated' guides, but this one is exceptional for even that series.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Hand Tools    5. House & Home    6. Power Tools    7. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    8. Woodworking    9. Woodworking tools    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    11. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (3)

Perfect Book For 3D Modellers and general Artists
This book is really the reference book for furniture and has a Wide variety of furniture types covered! About 99% of the books pages contain Beautiful and 100% clear Photographs.
Furniture by Judith Miller
A few months ago, I found this book while browsing through the shelves at a local bookstore. The fantastic pictures and descriptions in the book ignited my interest in furniture history. This is not a how-to book, but if you want an understanding of the details that are characteristic of particular furniture styles -- as well as some background on the historical, political and social forces that influenced these designs -- you probably won't find a better reference manual.
Great new book
This is an absolutely beautiful book.The photography is spectacular, all of the pieces are on a white background so you can really see the details.It has a lot of information accompanying the photos and covers all the major time periods.I would like to use this as a text for the History of Interiors class I teach. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Encyclopedias    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. History    8. Styles    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Furniture   

Reviews (4)

Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning
Excellent book covering many begining to intermediate aspects of turning.Good book for learning new techniques or technique review.Every turner should have (and use) this resource

almost complete
This is a very good book:
"Til by turning, turning, we come round right."
I've avoided lathe work for a great many years, satisfying my lust for sawdust by cabinetry and furniture.But in the back of my mind there has always been a little voice that would ask me 'why not?' every time I looked at a block off wood with beautiful grain.Well I finally broke down and spent the sizeable amount of money needed to buy and equip a good lathe."While I'm waiting for it to be shipped," I thought, "I'll read a book about it."After all this is how I've taught myself just about everything else.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. House & Home    4. Lathes    5. Turning    6. Woodwork - Tools    7. Woodworking    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    9. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Update to a Classic Woodworking Text
This book is an expanded and comprehensive update of the (out of print) classic "Working with Wood: The Basics of Craftsmanship" by Peter Korn.It also includes some of the wood structural information from "Understanding Wood: A Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology" by Dr. R. Bruce Hoadley.
A 'must' for any who regularly tackle woodworking projects
Andy Rae's Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide To Working With Wood is a 'must' for any who regularly tackle woodworking projects. A step-by-step reference covers different techniques for working with the wood, packing in nearly a thousand photos and drawings to show how to buy lumber, dry it, store it, join it, and machine it. Andy Rae has his own woodworking business and designs his own furniture; his extensive background making furniture and teaching woodworking lends to a splendidly simple presentation outlining different wood qualities and how to work with them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. House & Home    5. Wood    6. Woodwork    7. Woodwork - General    8. Woodworking    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    10. House & Home / Woodworking   

Reviews (9)

Very clear and well explained book.
I bought this book for a garage project of mine and the decent reviews it had. I must say the reviews are well deserved. This book offers plenty of photos and well explained "how-to" guide lines. Detailed explanation with photos of all the tools you'll need for your project. I can now do my projects with confidence considering I am a novice at carpentry. Excellent choice for the novist.

So far from complete its an insult to carpenters
Had to give 1 star to off set the other reviews. My problem with most of these carpentry books is their lack of conviction to a topic. I have been a carpenter for way longer than 4 years (the accepted journeyman level). In truth it takes a lifetime to keep up with new practices and master traditional techniques. If you need to read 93 PAGES OF 277 on what a particular tool is or how to set up a saw then you really are not ready for complete carpentry. You need to develop your understanding of the tools.
Not a great book.
This book doesn't include any text about stairs. I guess most complete homes don't need stairs. I find this book more of a coffee table book than a book I can count on for howto information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Carpentry    3. Construction - Carpentry    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    6. Dwellings    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Maintenance and repair    10. Home furnishing & decoration    11. Woodworking   

Reviews (11)

Most helpful book
I have recently been collecting and reading cabinet making books.This book has been the most informative and helpful book in my collection.

FANTASTIC introduction to building face frame cabinets
I did a lot of research prior to building my own kitchen cabinets earlier this year and this book was what inspired me the most as Udo's Schmidt's cabinets are simply BEAUTIFUL encompassing many custom details like: mitered corner returns, beaded inset face frames, raised panel doors/drawer fronts, dovetailed drawers and arched mullion glass upper cabinet doors.
great book
very interesting book with a lot of knowledge put into the writing.Helpful, full of comments and pictures to explain complicated cuts.
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Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Kitchen cabinets    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. DIY    11. House & Home / Carpentry   

Reviews (13)

Simple Step by Step Instructions
Lists the tools and the measurement techniques on how to make simple traditional cabinets that look great.It is best used with Building Kitchen Cabinets by Udo Schmidt.They cover slightly different techniques using different tools.Between the two books, I was able to mix and match techniques to fit my set of tools.If you had to get only one book, this is the better book of the two.

The one book for cabinet construction
I own several books on cabinet construction.This one is my favorite.It provides step-by-step examples of how to layout, design, build, finish, and install traditional face-frame cabinetry.The graphics are certainly not flashy, most appear to be hand etched, but I find them to be useful.
LIKE ALGEBRA
Great book. Lots of details. Lot's of math. I recommend it, however I found an easier instructional book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinet work    2. Cabinetwork    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. General    6. House & Home    7. Kitchen cabinets    8. Kitchens    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    10. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    11. Woodworking    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking    13. Furniture & furnishings manufacture    14. House & Home / Carpentry   

Reviews (1)

Another Winner
Sandor Nagyszalanczy has just added another excellent book to his growing and versatile collection of woodworking guides.The organization of his Jigs and Fixtures book is first rate,logical and easy to follow.It starts out with a short section on how to use the book and then follows with sections organized in a very useable way.Safety notes are interspersed throughtout and are appropriate for novice and professional woodworkers alike.I have several other jigs and fixtures books which are generally boring to read and used only to look up a specific jig. However,this is not true for Mr.Nagyszalanczy most readable and informative works which I enjoy cover to cover. I have another of his books on built-ins which is also great, and have preordered his new shop organization book.He is a frequent visitor on DIY Network's "Tools and Techniques" hosted by Popular Woodworking's David Thiel . He is as enjoyable to watch and listen to as his books are to read.I rate this book at 5 stars and my only minor critique is that the many color photos, while excellent and instructional, tend to be a bit smaller than my 64 year old eyes like to see, but that's not a big deal.As an aside,most Taunton Press woodworking guides,of which I have many,are typically of very high quality. I look forward to more guides from this extremely knowledgeable and entertaining professional woodworker.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jigs and fixtures    5. Woodwork - General    6. Woodwork - Tools    7. Woodworking    8. Woodworking tools    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (8)

Shojis on time
The book arrived speedily and in great condition.What more can I ask?

A woodworkers guide to shoji for your home
Shoji are really beautiful.There is something wonderful about the light passing through the semi-translucent rice paper, creating an atmosphere that is romantic and relaxing.Having lived in Japanese houses for several years, it was something that I wanted to recreate when I returned to the US.
Not traditional japanese woodwork, but who cares?
JVA uses a simplified approach to building shoji. Odate's book is the one for you if you want to build an authentic shoji using Japanese technique. Having said that, this is an EXCELLENT primer on shoji measurement and building practice for quick screens. I have built screens in both styles and take my word for it that JVA's method is quicker and no-one can tell the difference. Two things: the screen on the cover is NOT the one detailed in the text (check the corners). Also, I would HIGHLY recommend cutting your stiles long (leave a horn) and trimming them off post assembly with the table saw followed by a pass with a plane. Buy it and get building! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Decorative arts    5. Design and construction    6. General    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Shoji screens    10. Woodwork    11. Furniture & cabinetmaking    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. Japan