Furniture Design Books

Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

Hamish Bowles

Amazon Price: $47.25 List Price: $75.00 Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks By: Knopf Amazon Marketplace: 30 new & used starting at $47.16

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This unique book of thirty-six spectacular houses and gardens—whose owners come from the worlds of fashion, music, art, and society—draws not only on stories that have appeared in the pages of Vogue and Vogue Living over the past two decades but also on images that have never before been published. Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People takes you to these style-makers’ private realms around the world, captured by such celebrated photographers as Miles Aldridge, Cecil Beaton, Jonathan Becker, Eric Boman, Oberto Gili, François Halard, Horst P. Horst, Annie Leibovitz, Sheila Metzner, Mario Testino, Tim Walker, and Bruce Weber, among many others. Their dazzling photographs bring to life interiors and exteriors, modern and classical, that are both inspiring and transporting. Writers like Hamish Bowles, Joan Juliet Buck, Dodie Kazanjian, Eve MacSweeney, Julia Reed, Marina Rust, and Vicki Woods take us behind the scenes to give us an intimate view of the owners and how they live.

Here are Madonna’s romantic rural retreat in the depths of the English countryside and the Oscar de la Renta’s coral-stone Palladian mansion on the coast of the Dominican Republic; Michael and Eva Chow’s epic Los Angeles manse and shoe maestro Christian Louboutin’s magical houseboat on the Nile; Donna Karan’s Zenlike Manhattan aerie and legendary tastemaker Marella Agnelli’s enchanted villa and gardens in the Palmeraie of Marrakesh; Julian and Olatz Schnabel’s operatic downtown loft and childrenswear designer Rachel Riley’s miniature château on the Loire; celebrated landscape gardener Fernando Caruncho’s innovative Spanish gardens and Houghton, David Cholmondeley’s magnificent English stately home; Janet de Botton’s idyllic Provençal estate; and four decades of Karl Lagerfeld’s endlessly surprising houses, both innovative and palatial.

Lavishly illustrated in full color, Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People is an irresistible voyage through some of the world’s most beautiful and private gardens and interiors.

Modern Americana: Studio Furniture From High Craft to High Glam

Julie Iovine, Todd Merrill

Amazon Price: $47.25 List Price: $75.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rizzoli Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $46.47

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In the current world of twentieth-century design collecting, the trend has shifted away from accessible, mass-manufactured modernist furniture and toward designs that were custom-made or produced in very limited editions, with emphasis on American studio design of the 1940s to the 1990s. In contrast to the mass-produced mid-century furniture by Knoll and Herman Miller, American studio designs of the same period focused on novel forms and exquisite craftsmanship. Ranging from the organic shapes of George Nakashima and Vladimir Kagan to metalworks by Paul Evans, these limited production designs were highly sought after in their days by original tastemakers and movie stars. In the last decade, a revival for these rare designs began with connoisseurs such as Tom Ford. Modern Americana is the first full survey of the designs of this prolific but forgotten period, bringing to life again the works of Samuel Marx, Billy Haines, Wendell Castle, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Karl Springer, James Mont, and many others -- including J.B. Blunk, Michael Coffey, Wharton Esherick, Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Sam Maloof, Jack Rogers Hopkins, Paul Evans & Philip Lloyd Powell, Vladimir Kagan, George Nakashima, Silas Seandel, Charles Hollis Jones, Philip & Kevin LaVerne, Tommi Parzinger, Harvey Probber, Edward Wormley, John Dickinson, Arthur Elrod, and Paul Laszlo.

Home Book of Picture Framing: Professional Secrets of Mounting Matting, Framing and Displaying Artworks, Photographs, Posters, Fabrics, Collectibles, Carvings and More

Kenn Oberrecht

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Stackpole Books Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $9.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Eener 3000 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Treat this as an encyclopedia. There is a lot of good information in this book, but a lot more than you need to get going. I have only just finished wading through this thing (after six months) and would have been better off with a book 1/8 the size of this one. For a "How To" book, the author is way too verbose on his way to getting to the bottom line--if he ever does. Only because I am very good at puzzles was I able to pick out the things I really need and the best methods to complete anything - otherwise, you can get terribly confused. The author wastes a lot of time on "you could do this" and "some people do this" when the most helpful advice would be just to say, "Do this."

Don't take this as too harsh an indictment of the book. Afterall, I Learned Everything I Need to Know About Picture Framing from the book. There is A LOT of stuff in it. But I could have done, and you can do, without the exhaustive descriptions of differences between various manual, as well as, power tools. It's a hobby, I expect to spend some money...just tell me what do.

Editorial Review:

Framing a photograph, oil painting, watercolour, poster, calendar page, greeting card, or other artwork can be easy and inexpensive with this comprehensive guide to mounting, matting, and framing. Revised and updated from the popular first edition, Home Book of Picture Framing contains all of the information home owners need to prepare their first project, provides instructions for framing three-dimensional objects, and includes new sections on the most recent trends in framing, using power tools, framing needlework, and creating hinged easel-style frames.

The Soul of a Tree: A Woodworker's Reflections

George Nakashina

List Price: $65.00 By: Kodansha America Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $83.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

On a farmlike compound near New Hope, Pennsylvania, George Nakashima, his family, and fellow wood-workers create exquisite furniture from richly grained, rare timber. Tables, desks, chairs, and cabinets from this simple workshop grace the homes and mansions and executive boardrooms of people who prize such excellence. In this lavishly illustrated volume, George Nakashima allows us in intimate look at his artistry, his philosophy, his life. It is the portrait of an artisan who strives to find the ideal use for each plank in order to "create an object of utility to man and, if nature smiles, an object of lasting beauty."
The author's search for the meaning of life took him as a young man to Paris, Tokyo, and Pondicherry, India. In India, he found the inner peace for which he had been searching and began to find ways to work with timber. He writes movingly about the grandeur of ancient trees and stunning figured woods and explains how he selects and prepares his materials. Above all, he impresses us with his devotion to discovering the inherent beauty of wood so that noble trees might have a second life as furniture. The Soul of a Tree looks at the world through the eyes of an artist and evokes the joy of living in harmony with nature.

1000 Chairs

Charlotte Fiell, Peter Fiell, Simone Philippi

List Price: $29.99 By: Benedikt Taschen Verlag Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $19.23

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

excellent purchase if you like chairs and design 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The order came in quickly, book was in tip-top condition. You can cnsider this a quality book if you like chairs and the history and the evolvement of design in chairs. The pictures are fun to look at and you can marvel at the creativity of the designers.

Editorial Review:

The ubiquitous chair in all its shapes and forms (TASCHEN's 25th anniversary special edition) More than any other piece of furniture, the chair has been subjected to the wildest dreams of the designers. The particular curve of a back-rest, or the twist of a leg, the angle of a seat or the colour of the entire artefact all reflect the stylistic consciousness of each era. From Gerrit Rietveld and Alvar Aalto via Verner Panton to Eva Zeisel; from Art Nouveau to International Style, from Pop Art to Postmodernism, the phenomenon of the chair is so complex that it requires a reference work as comprehensive as this to do it full justice. They are all here: Thonet's bentwood chairs and Hoffmann's sitting-machines, Marcel Breuer's Wassily chair and Ron Arad's avant garde armchairs. The book, a slightly abbreviated version of our classic title 1000 Chairs, devotes one page to each chair, displayed on its own as pure form, with biographical and historical information about the chair.

The Encyclopedia of Furniture: Third Edition - Completely Revised

Joseph Aronson

Amazon Price: $19.80 List Price: $30.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Clarkson Potter Amazon Marketplace: 79 new & used starting at $12.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good dictionary-style book 4 out of 5 stars.
84 of 85 people found this review helpful.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FURNITURE is more like a dictionary of design terms with pictures of specific furniture pieces. It gives a brief history of the furniture periods, but it will not aide you in learning about the characteristics of the pieces in each style. It is a good choice if you are looking for a quick reference guide with pictures and definitions.

Boring 3 out of 5 stars.
27 of 37 people found this review helpful.

This is an encyclopedia of furniture. The information on each subject is limited. It makes a good quick reference, but didn't help me too much..

Good 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The condition of the book was very good.
The book itself was not very useful, it had a lot of information and enless you knew exactly what you were looking for it was hard to find

A wonderful reference for those learning the elements of design. 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is a great visual encyclopedia for learning what parts of furniture and styles from different periods look like. When reading about a reproduction Greek klismos chair with sabre legs or a Louis XV commode with Sevres plaque and riband trim, there is nothing like a visual reference to understand what those words actually mean. Not a light read, but this is an important addition to the bookshelf of anyone really serious about being educated in elements of interior design.

Editorial Review:

A completely revised edition, covering every period and development to the present, the designers and makers, the woods and other materials, the architecture and decoration. 2,000 photographs. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs (500 Series)

Lark Books

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

"500 Chairs" contains 500 surprises 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Each page contains a beautiful picture of a modern chair made by artists who take pride in creating usable furniture that adds beauty to any home. A fabulous study if you like modern furniture.

Editorial Review:

These chairs aren’t made just for sitting down! They’re pieces of art meant to delight the eyes, stretch the imagination, and occasionally tickle the fancy. From classic forms to groundbreaking creations from modern innovators, this newest entry in the 500 series presents a dazzling collection of contemporary chairs from today’s leading furniture makers. Internationally recognized furniture designer Craig Nutt has selected the breathtaking examples—by such respected names as Sam Maloof (a walnut rocking chair), Garry Knox Bennett (two ladderback chairs), and Andrew Muggleton (his “Balustrade Chaise”)—and they’re breathtaking. Judy Kensley McKie contributes a cool “Monkey Chair” in walnut and bronze, with arms shaped like these playful animals. And Gord Peteran’s wittily named “Electric Chair” comes in tubular steel…and features a lightbulb!

The Art of Inlay: Contemporary Design & Technique

Larry Robinson

List Price: $24.95 By: Backbeat Books Amazon Marketplace: 12 new & used starting at $23.76

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Very amazing work 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for exquisite inlays in wood. The pictures worth it, trust me. Good shoots of very nice work, of different styles. The book also cover how to cut pearl (and also other materials) and inlay by your own, showing tools of the trade and sources of drawings and information. Delight it!

Inlay 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I didn't have any formal background or knowledge of inlay. This book went through the fundamentals and gave good insight on what to start with and little tricks of the trade. I recommend this book for the beginner.

Art of inlay... 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is undoubtedly an inspirational book. However, it lacks much detail for the studnet, interested in learning wood inlay. It doesn't move beyond the basics of cutting inlays and so farth. Anyone can figure that much out. If you want a complete book for inlaying, look elsewhere; if you're interested in the work of Larry Robinson, then look no farther.

Editorial Review:

This exquisite book is both a celebration of the art of inlay and a hands-on guide to its materials, tools, and techniques. Includes over 70 color photos, diagrams, and how-to instructions and design insights from Larry Robinson, inlay artist for Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and others. A must-have for anyone interested in this fascinating art form. 112 pages, 7-3/8 inch. x 9-1/4 inch.

Now in softcover!

Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture: 27 Stickley Designs for Every Room in the Home (Shop Drawings series)

Robert W. Lang

Amazon Price: $15.61 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Fox Chapel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $13.75

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Nice book but bad measurements 3 out of 5 stars.
18 of 19 people found this review helpful.

This book is an excellent compendium of arts and craft style furniture, but boys and girls, check your measurements when you start some of the pieces. I built the wardrobe No112 and have pretty good shop experience. I found errors all over that particular wardrobe. I can understand bad measurements but some were obviously the planners fault.
Admittedly I have not built anything else in the book and this is a fairly elaborate piece. But I found myself shaving off full half inches where I shouldn't have to. Triple check any measurements made and you will be fine! It is unfortunate that such a detailed book with great ideas for plans does not have its measurements doubled checked. The scales for the furniture in the book do not match some of the drawings either. When I get a series of drawings I expect the measurements to be tried and tested. The book does have a good set of suggestions to build the furniture. Sometimes drawings are missing though that would clarify the project. The economy of pages makes the carpenter lose out.

Editorial Review:

Featuring working shop drawings, this book demonstrates 27 pieces of authentic Craftsman household furniture by Gustav Stickley and his contemporaries. Every type of furniture is represented here: Morris chairs, chests of drawers, wall shelves, bookcases, sideboards, dining tables, occasional tables, beds, side chairs, and rockers. Each project includes a perspective view along with elevations, sections and details, and complete measurements.

Field Guide to American Antique Furniture: A Unique Visual System for Identifying the Style of Virtually Any Piece of American Antique Furniture

Joseph T. Butler

Amazon Price: $16.50 List Price: $25.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Holt Paperbacks Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $3.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Hundreds of detailed drawings! 4 out of 5 stars.
24 of 29 people found this review helpful.

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.

Good Reference 4 out of 5 stars.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.

This book is good for a quick reference. It is filled with sketches that are grouped into categories (chairs, tables, beds).
It can help you identify the style of a piece of furntiture, but doesn't help authenticating the piece.

Great Info book! 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

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

Editorial Review:

With more than seventeen hundred superb drawings, this authoritative book offers a unique visual system for identifying the style of virtually any piece of American antique furniture.