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 (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 (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 (1)

Exactly What I Was Hoping For
I purchased this book to give me ideas on which type of pattern/material I should use to reupholster a Victorian settee frame I recently bought.After looking through the breathtaking photos on these glossy pages, I know exactly which material to go with.And of course, from viewing this book I have a desire to purchase other victorian pieces to accompany the settee.It's a step back in time that must be seen.
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Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Decorating    5. Decoration & Ornament    6. Furniture    7. History    8. History - Specific Styles    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior decoration    11. United States    12. Victoriana in interior decorat    13. Victoriana in interior decoration    14. Sale Books   

Reviews (5)

The Best!!!
Perhaps the best book of its kind currently on the market.Positively dripping in excellence, this book is your one stop resource for all of your furniture restoration questions.Warped tabletops, veneer repair and replacement, broken chair leg, worn chest of drawer's runner, dents, scratches, staining and finishing, no subject is given short shrift, and all of the examples are accompanied by a plentiful supply of colour photographs, and clear instructions.It even makes a great read for those who lack the time and resources to undertake such repairs.A thoroughly satisfying book.

Excellent book
If you only wish to buy one book on repair of old furniture, this is the book. The author is a true specialist within the field and everything is explained and illustrated excellently. In addition it's a very pretty book with many fine photos. The only little flaw is that the info on refinishing is a little scattered. Anyway, the info is there. Go buy the book!

A great book for the DIY furniture repair
This is a great introduction book to furniture repair.Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Furniture    3. Furniture finishing    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Repairing    8. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    9. Antique furniture    10. Furniture & cabinetmaking    11. House & Home / Furniture    12. House maintenance   

Reviews (4)

Found book arrangement difficult
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.
The Complete Guide to Furniture Styles
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.

Great book for a history of furniture styles!
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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles / Furniture    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Architecture / Interior Design    5. Furniture    6. Styles    7. Antiques    8. Antiques & Collectibles    9. Design - Furniture    10. Furniture Arts And Crafts    11. Furniture, Classical   

Reviews (4)

upol.review
very informative, both books.The home book, was helpful in learning how to recover an armchair, and the auto book was helpful in seeing what I needed to do to mend a door panel with material.Very happy with the results.

FINALLY! A BOOK THAT'S MORE THAN I WANTED!!!!!!!
I ordered this book because I wanted the "baby steps" version of upholstery.I have several books on this subject, this is the only one that motivates me, knowing--yes I can do it!

Upholstery:A Beginner's Guide
I have glanced through the book. I am a self-taught upholsterer, with projects all around my home to do. I pretty much copy the existing pattern and method of upholstery as each project was originally put together. There have been challenges along the way with a few upholstered chairs. This book has color and detailed illustrations.I do own two other books by David James. I wish I had owned this book earlier. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Textile Arts - General    7. House & Home / Furniture    8. STUDY AIDS - SPARKCHARTS    9. Upholstery   

Subjects:  1. Arts and crafts movement    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Drawings    6. Furniture    7. Furniture Arts And Crafts    8. General    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Measured drawing    11. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    12. Woodwork - General    13. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    14. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    15. Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House & Home / Furniture   

Reviews (4)

Design Techniques Not Plans
This book provides a some interesting techniques for some of the design details of Greene and Greene furniture.It also provides some historical background on the brothers and the craftsmen that collaborated with them.In addition, there are some examples of modern pieces by several craftsmen influenced by the Greene brothers.What it does not have are detailed plans for complete furniture.As such, it is of more interest to the woodworker looking to expand his techniques than someone looking to recreate a specific piece of furniture.

This fills a a great need
I wish I had this book a year ago when I undertook the construction of three G&G pieces for our church. I had to figure out how to make many of the details on my own. Now I find out there are better, and easier, ways. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wishing to build anything in the G&G style, or to those just wanting to learn more about the construction and evolution of the style. Mr Peart does a masterful job!

The Key to Restoration, The Guide to Appreciation of Greene & Greene
Darrell Peart has written a book that is not only a joy to read, it is also one of those magic windows for finding the secrets of restoring Greene and Greene houses and furniture.Craftsmanship details that with time fade and tatter and beg for repair can now with Peart's fine instruction and diagrams and pictures be restored to as close to their normal glory as possible.
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Subjects:  1. Arts and crafts movement    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. Furniture making    8. House & Home    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodwork Arts And Crafts    12. House & Home / Furniture   

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 (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   

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 (15)

furniture factory outlet guide
Have not actually travelled to NC yet, but plan to in October.This book is very helpful in planning the trip and deciding where to go.It's exactly what the description is and I'm sure will be very useful.

Bought the book, made the trip to NC
I stumbled across Causey's book on a North Carolina furniture discounter's web site.My husband and I made the trip from Portland, OR, for less than $400 with all of our frequent flier miles and Marriott Reward points.We loved the people and had a blast!Causey's book was instrumental in helping to plan the trip.It reduced the number of stores we visited significantly, and we were able to trust in the discounters that we visited.Here's my advice:
Saved thousands of dollars
I purchased a house recently and decided to replace almost all my furniture. I bought The Furniture Factory Outlet Guide for assistance. I saved literally over $10,000 using this book. My one recommendation to use this guide is to shop your local furniture stores, get the furniture manufacturer's name, the group name and/or number of the pieces you like. Then use the guide to call the stores listed in the guide that carry the furniture manufacturer you're looking for, and price shop, one against the other for the best deals. You really don't even have to go to NC, unless you want to spend a couple days looking and figuring out what furniture you like. Then go home and call the stores in this guide. Good luck and happy shopping. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Furniture    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. Reference   

Reviews (12)

Savings are Overrated
I agree with a couple of previous reviewers that this book is a bit dated now and to check specifics before making the trip. I used this book before my first trip to shop High Point, and have made two subsequent trips. I agree that the savings are not that great, and if you have to ship, plus now pay tax, you will probably not save over your local retailer. I priced a Henredon bed and dresser at Boyle's, and my local store quoted the exact same price. In the end, Boyle's offered a 10% discount, free shipping (as they should on the amount I was spending) and no tax, so I saved a bit over my local store who would not offer a 10% reduction, but it was probably a wash after the trip expenses. You may save more if you live in an extremely price-inflated area. On the flip-side, you can indeed look, touch, and feel an incredibly wide variety of furniture in one day. Sitting on that couch that you are spending a couple of grand on cannot replace ordering it from your local retailer's catalog sight unseen. Second, if you live in a more rural area like I do - we have only one good furniture store - you get a much better idea of what is available to you. This book gives you some good basic information on the stores and the lines they carry. I agree with other reviewers that the service is not that great at most stores. I have never been able to get anyone to give me "design help" and the sales staff at most places will clearly size you up based on appearance, so if you want serious help, dress like you have some money to spend. Otherwise they are just order-takers. Be sure to visit manufacturer websites before you go to narrow down what you are looking for.

Very Soft on Rating Customer Service
I used this book to shop for furniture in the High Point area.It was useful in locating stores and in knowing what product lines each store offered.There are two main problems I have; (1) I think the savings are overstated - it is probably more in the area of 20 percent off, and (2) I think the author was uninformed or else very soft on rating the customer service side of things.The salespeople treat you like family (as stated in this book) when they are trying to make the sale, but for me, that was where the good customer service ended.I bought almost all of my furniture at Rose Furniture.They were very helpful and responsive until after some items arrived damaged.That is where all the competence and responsiveness ended.If you read Ms. Shapiro's review of Rose Furniture, she only talks about how wonderful the sales people are - she offers no information about treatment after the sale.I think this is a huge oversight.What you want in a furniture retailer is good service - this is all they do.They don't build furniture, they service the customer.I waited 5 months for my order to be delivered - Rose estimates an 8 to 10 week delivery timeframe.Rose Furniture would consistently tell me something that just wasn't true.After waiting 5 months for my items, one of the items would not even function properly and was covered with some dark, gummy substance - all over the finish.I refused delivery and I'm seeking a refund.Rose Furniture has a condescending way of dealing with people that is very aggravating.They have a pleasant exterior appearance while all the time they could care less.

not very helpful
I just returned from a trip to NC for furniture having purchased this book as a guide.As it turned out, the book was not very helpful and I wasted a lot of time by relying on its recommendations.For starters, it's very outdated and the author's website for updates is no longer online.Many of the recommendations are based on the author's personal opinions without explanations that readers could use to judge for themselves.She lists her favorite stores and downplays others without providing a basis for her reasoning. Much of the information provided on the various dealers is straight out of the stores' marketing materials. There are a few useful tips scattered through the book but overall it wasn't very helpful.
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Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Furniture    3. Furniture industry and trade    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. North Carolina    6. Outlet stores    7. Purchasing    8. United States    9. House & Home / Furniture   

Reviews (9)

one of the most authoritative guides to furniture and lighting designs of the 20th and 21st centuries in print
The third edition of Jerryll Habegger and Joseph H. Osman's SOURCEBOOK OF MODERN FURNITURE should be on the reference shelves of ANY serious interior design collection. Appearing in its third revised edition, SOURCEBOOK provides one of the most authoritative guides to furniture and lighting designs of the 20th and 21st centuries in print, pairing color photos with features of works by hundreds of notable designers. Photos arranged by type of furniture or fixture make it simple for quick look-ups, while lists of suppliers and indexes of designers and manufacturers provide invaluable cross-referencing.
new edition
did not someone write that they are coming out with a new edition in fall 2004?this is the only problem with this edition.it is not updated.soon to be resolved it seems.

When the best gets better!!!
As predicted, the 3rd edition is OFF THE HOOK!!! The 3rd edition, published in 2005, has close to 700 new entries. Nearly half of the photos are in color and the authors have included web site information for manufacturers. This latest edition is in the collection of prominent museums and academic institutions across the globe, especially universities which have significant design and architecture programs. This is certainly a must have edition for the intellectually astute connoisseur of furniture and design.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Architect-designed furniture    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Catalogs    7. Design - Furniture    8. Furniture    9. Furniture Arts And Crafts    10. Furniture designers    11. History    12. Reference    13. Furniture & cabinetmaking    14. Product design   

Reviews (1)

OUTSTANDING !
An outstanding book for a beginner or more experienced woodworker. I am truly impressed. I am a fairly experienced woodworker. I own many books on the subject. Glen Huey has produced a very fine book on period furniture.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Furniture    5. Furniture Arts And Crafts    6. Furniture making    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Home Furnishing    9. Reproductions    10. Woodwork - General    11. Woodworking    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking   

Reviews (8)

rustic furniture
Inspiring ideas for tools and furniture for someone in the coppicing industry in United Kingdom.

Practical book, but too little text
This is a practical book for working with dry softwood logs. Among others, it has 15 pages on tools, 35 p. on some basics (joinery, finishes...) and 50 p. on various projects. However this includes some big pictures and a lot of white space, or wasted space (e.g. a check list covering 4 pages, with only 15 items /page, and looking useless andstupid to me, pp. 37-40), so that in the end there is not much text per page in average. Although some traditional tools are exposed, everything in the book is meant to be made with power tools (but one could also use traditional tools).
A good starting place
There are few reference works available in this category. Fortunately, this one is a useful, helpful, and clear guide to the art of making log furniture. We have yet to faithfully follow any of the authors' detailed step-by-step plans. The text and pictures were clear enough to enable us to start right off making our own derivative designs. Thanks, guys! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture making    4. House & Home / Furniture    5. Rustic woodwork    6. Country furniture    7. Crafts / Hobbies    8. Furniture    9. Furniture Arts And Crafts    10. House & Home    11. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry   

Reviews (1)

The Essential Guide to Upholstery
I received this book yesterday and cannot put it down.The pictures, drawings and advice are fantastic.I am very interested in upholstery projects for my home and am ready to move from a "beginning Intermediate" level to "Intermediate".This book is just what I needed for more guidance.I have an extensive collection of upholstery books, and except for "Simply Upholstery" and the "Singer Upholstery Basics" books, I have been mostly disappointed with the books I have received as they were not helpful or showed unrealistic projects.This book is like being in an upholstery class with a smart, interesting teacher.I hope Dorothy Gates writes more books on this subject.I would certainly buy it!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Furniture    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home   

Editorial Review

With

Reviews (8)

Built-In, North American Style.
This book does have enough pictures of built in cabinets/furniture from every room in the house to give you an idea of what can be done, but I found that other books I have read, such as Kitchen Design books, have way more information on certain topics than this book is able to cover. There is also some instructions on how to make some of the cabinets yourself. The style is all North American which is ok, but you should also read some books on how the Japanese design built in furniture, such as, Small Spaces: Stylish Ideas for Making More of Less in the Home, by Azby Brown.

Ideas abound!
Apparently the hardcover edition reviewer bought a bad copy - this is an excellent book with crisp, bright photos and excellent ideas for expanding any room.But don't stop here...let this serve as a base and let your imagination really take off.I've used ideas from this book to make projects that turned out much better!

Neat Stuff !!
Built-In Furniture is a great book for everyone who's ever dreamed of having a secret door to a hidden room or just wants to utilize seamingly wasted space. This book of ideas has been agreat launching pad for my own new home design.It's NOT a project book with plans and instructions but if you're in the "looking for ideas" phase this is a good picture book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. Woodworking