Reviews (5)

Great Book,not too hard and not too easy
The whole series of these book's (desks, bookcase, tables, beds) is a must for all woodworkers. Nice range of projects
This book gave me the confidence to build a bed.I chose Jeff's most basic design and it went smoothly.I would not say this book is for the complete novice however.I had oversight from an experienced woodworker.Nevertheless, Jeff is a good writer with nice pictures.And opinions.The great thing about Tauton Press books is that they get experts to share their insights and opinions that you simply do not get from people like Time-Life A very good book for first time bed maker
I am in the process of finishing up the bed shown on the cover of this book. It is the first bed and biggest project I have ever made since I have a samll shop and limited tools. It turns out beautifully that evensurprises myself. Jeff Miller gives detailed instructions, design andmaterial list that makes the project a easy task. I happen to have amortise machine that makes the mortises for the slats much easier andnicer. Also, after I visited a local store, I easily changed dimensions ofthe bed to suit personal taste. I really enjoyed making this bed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beds    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Furniture    5. Furniture making    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    8. Woodwork - General    9. Carpentry    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    11. Furniture & furnishings manufacture    12. Woodworking   

Reviews (5)

New DUNBAR catalog versus 50 version
This is basically a reprint of the 1950 catalog --- OK for collectors,but you can get the new color version at the dunbar websitewww.collectdunbar.comWormley was a great DUNBAR is a classic mid-century modern success story.
During the 50's & 60's , Ed Wormley and Dunbar were leaders in the fine furniture industry. Leslie Pina's reprint of one of the catalogs from that period gives collectors a nice reference point. The company is about much more than what is presented in this basic presentation, hopefully someone will write a more comprehensive reference on the entire collection. I've heard word that the company is coming back and going back into production with some of the primary pieces. That would be great! The book on Edward Wormley is also worth checking out.

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Must...
Great starting point on Dunbar.. I agree with the review that said they miss some key points about the company and the top designs, but this is only a reprint of one of their catalogs,not the definitive story of Dunbar.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Furniture    5. Antique furniture    6. Furniture & cabinetmaking   

Reviews (2)

An infomercial?
When I see a caption for an illustration that reads something like "Experience personal customer design consultations in the tradition of the old mantel masters, Wohners' one-on-one sessions ensure the highest quality of your mantel design and selection," I can't help but wonder at the purpose of the book as a whole. I did find the section on the Rumford Fireplace interesting, and the mantels shown intriguing, but as for actual designs that I could build I found the book lacking. In fact many of the designs in the "Mantels Portfolio" reminded me a great deal of the "mantel" which was on the fireplace of my first residence --- a mobile home.
Easy to follow instructions
I recently bought a house in need of renovations. Since hiring contractors are both expensive and often unreliable, I decided to tackle much of the work myself. This included designing and building my fireplace mantel. A previous owner had removed the mantel so there was no indication of what style it was built in. I searced for books on fireplace mantels and found this one. It has a complete detailed chapter on how to build a classic fireplace mantel, step-by-step, with detailed photos using materials I was able to easily purchase at Home Depot. The results were phenominal! I have since had family and friends ask if I would build them a mantel. I almost hate to reveal how easy it was when they are willing to pay a nice sum of money for something that took me the weekend and little cash. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Details Finishing    2. Construction - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design & Construction    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. House & Home    7. Woodwork - General    8. Woodworking    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (2)

A must-have!
Synopsis (quote)
Worth every penny!
I haven't touched my Scroll Saw since High School (10+ years).I wanted to fire it up again and do a little more than cutting letters out of plywood.I bought this book primarily because it looked pretty extensive and was recently re-published.It mostly covers technique and has no patterns for stupid schlock like owl napkin holders.This book shows you what you can do with your saw from simple to complex.If you are a beginner or looking to increase your skill, this is a must have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. House & Home    4. Jig saws    5. Power Tools    6. Woodwork    7. Woodwork - Tools    8. Woodworking    9. House & Home / Power Tools    10. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (20)

True inspiration - Great jumping off from scrapbooking!
I admit it, I bought this book as a whim.But I have always been fascinated with shadow boxes and shrines.
mmmm...it's ok
I am a fan of Kathy's and I have to be honest and say that I am much more impressed with her website and "La Casa Loca" than I am with this book.

BEAUTIFUL AND FASCINATING
After getting La Casa Loca as a gift I just had to go and get all the other books by Kathy Cano-Murillo. I've always been into collage art but never thought of making them diminsional like this book shows. There are so many rich and gorgeous pictures and so many beautiful ideas that I don't know where to start. Aside from the colorful and inspirational projects, my favorite part of the book is Kathy's opening letter, it literally made me cry. So sweet. This book will make you feel good inside and out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assemblage (Art)    2. Box making    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Shrines    8. Souvenirs (Keepsakes)    9. Woodwork - General    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (17)

The Work Bench Book
Excellent information for the woork bench I plan to build this winter. I would highly reccomend this to any woodworker that needs a work bench and doesn't want to spend a lot of money buying one.

Fascinating !
Scott Landis knows how to write.This is both a history book and a woodworking book, and I still loved it.I never liked history in HS or college, but if I had had Landis, I would have been a history major.The book is captivating virtually from cover to cover (although I found the latter chapters a little less enthralling than the first 3/4 of the book).I plan to build a significant workbench, and I bought this book thinking it would help me with ideas and planning.It did so much more than that, I'm stunned.The insights it gave me about different ways of working with wood have expanded beyond the previous limits of my imagination.
In a Heart Beat
I would have to go buy another copy of this book if I was to lose this one. For a really good craftsman. He is only as good as the bench he works from. The first bench I made was great but to small. My next bench was over twice as long.Now I am building even two more benchs of different styles. This is due to the styles shown in this book.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Woodwork    6. Woodwork - General    7. Woodwork - Tools    8. Woodworking    9. Workbenches    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (1)

An excellent, inspiring and non-threatening first book.
My wife made a terrible mistake one day and went with me to my local woodworking store.Bored, she sat in the book section and found this book.The next thing I know she is so excited about doing inlay work she is carrying the book around everywhere and studying every page over and over.She is asking me how well I can plane wood or if I can make veneers.(She didn't even know what planning or veneer was before.)She did her own research on the tools required.I was stunned!My wife interested in tools! :o)
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Marquetry    6. Woodwork - General    7. Marquetry & inlays   

Reviews (2)

Beautiful Herman Miller book
This book is superb - well laid out with beautiful historical photographs. Also contains a great overview of the history of Herman Miller, including design and release dates for classic furniture by Eames and Nelson.A great book for the retro furniture enthusiast.

Beautiful Book!
This book has lots of beautiful photos. If you like "classic herman miller" by Leslie A.Pina ,You had to buy this one.I promise you like it!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Architecture    4. Catalogs    5. Design & Drafting    6. Furniture    7. Furniture Arts And Crafts    8. Herman Miller, Inc    9. Herman Miller, Inc.    10. History    11. United States    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking    13. Interior design   

Reviews (3)

Easy to follow!
This book is excellent! The author shows you step by step what you need to do to reupholster your piece of furniture. I used this book and was able to quickly learn what I needed to do to reupholster an old chair I own and looked like I bought a new chair from the store when I was finished. Since then, I have had family and friends asking me where I bought the "new chair!" I recommend this book to anyone wishing to do the same.

Full of VERY HELP information
Although a book could never substitute seeing first hand, how upholstery is done, this book provides very detailed information.The photos are dated, but the process of the work is not and very clearly explained.Definitely a good reference book to have for anyone learning upholstery who might need additional information.

An excellent starting point
This book is well written, concise, and easy to follow.It is especially good for first-timers as the authors take you through many steps most beginners do not consider. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Furniture    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Reference    7. Upholstery    8. Furniture & cabinetmaking    9. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (13)

great book -- learned a lot
this is a good book where i learned a lot of basic box making techniques and then branched off of from there.

Very nice and useful book
I was not disappointed with this book in terms of learning the basics to make nice boxes. Projects are varied in shape and techniques, in depth, with plenty of explanation. The necessary sections about wood preparation, movement etc... are all nice, as well as sections on tools and finishing. the info in there seems very objective and based on excellent experience. You will learn a lot from those projects and techniques. I like some designs and not others, but there are enough of them to satisfy anybody and learn enough basic techniques to elaborate from there.
Big Help
All my previous wood working had been on a relatively large scale. So when I wanted to use the scrap wood to make small boxes, I didn't know where to start. This book has pointed me in the right direction as far as dimensions of the wood thickness, joinery, finnishing, and ideas. The book is good for both beginners and intermediate woodworkers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Box making    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Reference    6. Wooden boxes    7. Woodwork    8. Woodwork - General    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    10. Woodworking   

Reviews (2)

Tennessee Furniture
This is a splendid book, originally published by the Tennessee Historical Society, and sold at the Tennessee State Museum.Photographs and descriptions are excellent, as are the examples. The book is not engaged in "price guessing" and the like.Rather, it is designed for the person who is familiar with the construction of period furniture and who is cognizant of the terminology.It is highly recommended for collectors, dealers and anyone else interested in ways and furnishings of the past.

excellent info for the tennessee antique buff
excellent reference for the tennessee antique business and interest. can be used to date early furniture and also its' orgin. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Cabinetmakers    4. Decorating    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. History    8. Tennessee    9. Furniture & cabinetmaking    10. Non-Classifiable    11. Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects   

Reviews (3)

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

Good Reference
This book is good for a quick reference.It is filled with sketches that are grouped into categories (chairs, tables, beds). Hundreds of detailed drawings!
Excellent and easy to use reference book, illustrates styles in thier purest form. Does not treat the subject of authenticity but notes characteristics and idiosyncracies of various examples. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. Furniture, American    8. History    9. United States   

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Care & Restoration    3. Carpentry    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Furniture    6. General    7. House & Home    8. Woodworking    9. Antique furniture    10. Care & restoration of antiques    11. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (3)

North America Wildlife Patterns
It is a wonderful pattern book for scrolsaw users.I started my wood hobby last September & kept looking for animal patterns.I found some ... BUT they are not nearly as good as this book by Lora Irish. The drawings are so realistic,clear & crisp & the lines are not too big or too dark but just right.Also you can easily see what inside cutting is called for. Some patterns I've tried are very hard to determine where to cut and the animals dont look real.That is not the case with this book; it's great.I have 14 pattern books on different subjects and North America Wildlife is my favorite.Yes, I certainly recomnmenbd this book.If you like animal patterns I dont think you'll be disappointed. Currently I am waiting to receive her book called World Wildlife Patterns... cant wait for it to get here.

An old time woodworker
I am always looking for patterns to cut on my scroll saw and I must say I am really picky about the designs I decide to cut. I purchased this book for the wildlife designs and they are all top notch.You will not be disappointed with the quality Lora Irish, puts into her designs.I highly recommend this book. Its worth double its cost.

An old time woodworker
I am always looking for patterns to cut on my scroll saw and I must say I am really picky about the designs I decide to cut. I purchased this book for the wildlife designs and they are all top notch.You will not be disappointed with the quality Lora Irish, puts into her designs.I highly recommend this book. Its worth double its cost. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. General    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. House & Home    5. Woodworking    6. Carpentry    7. Handicrafts    8. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games   

Reviews (5)

A must read book about the greatest American designers of the 20th Century.
Charles and Ray Eames were not only creative artistic talents, they were also commercial geniuses (just like George Nelson was). These two talents provided the secret for success that would reward them throughout their life.This book gives in debt view about the vast creative inspiration that Charles and Ray Eames had.It documents in detail how Charles and Ray Eames got their early start (working on projects for the army among others) and how they expanded their line with Herman Miller.
A stunning visual record of a great American design team
This is THE book about Charles and Ray Eames. Beautifully printed and designed and with more than 3500 photos to explore the work, year by year, of these two famous designers. The range of work is amazing, furniture (domestic and commercial) films, exhibitions, architecture, books even toys. I have a set of their 1952 House of Cards, a deck of fifty-four playing-card size cards that can be interlocked to create three dimensional structures, a very simple idea beautifully conceived.
The Definitive Text
An exceptionally comprehensive year-by-year summary of the work of the Eames Office from the early 1940s to the late 1970s.Covers everything equally -- from wartime plywood experiments and herman miller furniture to toys, exhibitions, and, of course, films.A must for anyone interested in Eames design.Full of hard-to-find information and photos of rarely seen items. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Decorating    4. Design    5. Design - General    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. History    8. Individual Architect    9. Individual Artist    10. Office of Charles and Ray Eame    11. Office of Charles and Ray Eames    12. United States    13. Art / Design / General    14. Individual designers    15. Interior design   

Reviews (5)

A Basic "How-To" Instruction Manual
This book contains easy to understand instructions for multiple caning techniques.These instructions are accompanied by step-by-step photographs or thorough illustrations. It is an excellent reference manual.

The "Bible" of the seat weaving industry!
Of all the myriad of reference books I have acquired in the 25 years working in the seat weaving business, The Caner's Handbook is by far the best and #1 on my entire list. concise, straightforward
this book is far and away from your typical 'how-to' book. These actually want you to learn this skill. You won't be let down with this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chair caning    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Furniture Arts And Crafts    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Reference    7. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    8. Crafts & Hobbies / General    9. HOME REFERENCE - Decorating TRD HC    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (5)

sam maloof a briliant man
I bought this book when I was a student of woodworking/cabinetmaking in college, after hearing and seeing and studing some of Mr.Maloof's work in class. I found his command and respect for his craft, and the material thathe works with to be second to none. Hiswork is a insperation in it's selfbut once you find out the story behind this unbeliveable man it is all themore fasanating. his simple thoughts and down to earth style are ainsperation to all. after reading this book I was amazed and inspired bythis man and will remember and re-read this book may times.he will alwaysbe a insperation to myself and all woodworkers for years to come

Most excellent book. A must have for any woodworker!
Sam Maloof is a world treasure. His book reflects his passion and skill as a master. Sam's book is not written in a pompous manor but in a matter of fact point of view. Sam shares his life with us and puts it on paper. Ihave had the opportunity to meet Mr. Maloof and his lovely and graciouswife, Alfreda before her passing. Sam's love and passion for his craft issecond only to his devotion to God and his love for his beautiful wife. Hisbook reflects that in a way that is educational, thought provoking andsimple. His warm and friendly demeanor in person is very evident in thisbook! Sam beleives there are no secrets in woodworking. He shares hisfinish and techniques in this book, although this is NOT a "howto" book. Reading this book, you will learn something aboutphilosophy, Spirituality and some woodworking along the way. The most incredible woodworking book ever!!!
Sam is the finest woodworker that ever lived, andthis is an outstanding work by and about him.I only wish he would do another one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Furniture    4. General    5. History    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Maloof, Sam    9. United States    10. Woodwork - General    11. Furniture & cabinetmaking    12. USA    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (2)

Good for play houses, but not for swing sets, etc.
This book has great plans for building forts,play-houses, but it does not have much in the way of swings. If you want a swing set play area, better find another book.

Very good guide to building outdoor play sets.
A very good introduction on constuction. Reviews materials and details methods of building from foundation to roofing. This book also includes detailed plans for fifteen projects for all skill levels. A very good bookto use, for the plans or just for the ideas and instructions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's playhouses    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. House & Home    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Playhouses, Children's    9. Recreation    10. Swings    11. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    12. Woodwork - General    13. Building construction & materials    14. Furniture & furnishings manufacture    15. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (20)

A very helpful and clear book
As a beginner with trim work, I found that this book gave me the important answers about what different material characteristics would produce over time.The book made feel very comfortable about doing trim projects.

Good Resource but not a Step-by-Step Guide for all project
I really like the Build Like a Pro books. I find them very informative about subjects I have no clue about. Whether you are a DIY or plan to hire someone, I think the information is a good basis for being able to understand how things should or might be done.
good overview, lacks detail
This book is a good intro, but falls short on actual "how-to" implementation. For example, the book shows some different window trim styles, commenting on why you might use one versus another, shows some of the different trim pieces, but doesn't say "this part should extend 2 inches beyond the such and such." Instead, I'll need another book, or a trip to someone's house for some research with a tape measure. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Built-in furniture    3. Carpentry    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Home Maintenance And Repair    9. House & Home    10. Trim carpentry    11. House & Home / Carpentry    12. Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Consumer Behavior - General    6. Furniture    7. Furniture Arts And Crafts    8. Porcelain & China    9. Antique furniture