Book Description
This is a step-by-step guide to essential woodworking skills, techniques, tools and tips. For the beginning woodworker or the most experienced hobbyist, this book is of incredible value to all. This book takes the reader from the principles of basic design to essential woodworking techniques to a gallery of 40 complete project plans. More than 1200 full-color photos are included in this book with tips for shop set-up and safety, how to use tools, make jigs and joints, applying finishes and wood selection.
This book was a main selection of Woodworkers Book Club.
Customer Reviews:
Great refresher for the novice woodworker.......2007-01-31
I used to like woodworking when I was in middle and high school, but I haven't done it since then.
This book walks through a lot of good information on woodworking and also includes plans for around 40 projects. The book is easy to read and accessible to all skill levels.
If you are new to woodworking or haven't done it in a while, I would highly recommend getting this book.
Outstanding Book.......2006-01-31
I am new into woodworking and this book is the best intro to woodworking I have seen. This is outstanding.
The second half includes doezens of plans for different wood projects. Although I don't plan on making any of these, it gives a great insight into how to build different things.
Anyway, this is highly recommended.
Excellent!.......2005-01-03
I just got this book a few days ago, and I've had a hard time putting it down. There are lots of full-color pictures, with thorough descriptions of almost every aspect of woodworking. I've already learned a lot about different types of wood, how to make several kinds of cuts with several kinds of tools (including suggestions for what to do even though I don't have a large selection of power tools), and have some projects picked out to start as soon as I can get the lumber! It is a very thorough book, unlike several others I looked through at my local bookstore. I would highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in woodworking! It is both fun and informative. Almost half of this substantial book is general background information and instruction, including a detailed glossary, and the rest is a good selection of detailed, well-illustrated plans.
Enjoy! Go make sawdust.
The Not Quite Complete Book of..........2004-12-25
I've been hesitant to review this book because, despite its title it is by no means a 'complete' book, and yet it is well written, and what it does it does well. It is well written, and covers many of the important subjects - Setting Up Shop, Designing Projects, Introduction to Wood, Joints, Finishes, etc. And it provides a host of projects suitable to the beginner. It's hard to fault what it does do, but there are several problems with what it doesn't do.
First and foremost of these gaps is that the book is entirely power tool oriented. Given that a woodworker rapidly gets surrounded by a host of machines, it never hurts to spend time on saws, planes, and the other hand tools that are part of good woodworking. Good hand tools are berely cheaper than machine tools, and selecting the right ones is one key to achieving top-grade results.
The book flies too high to provide important detail on the tools that it does cover. Power saws, planers, drill presses and anything else require knowledge in order to be used safely and successfully. And to make the right choices when purchasing. This book would serve best the beginner who has access to a full shop, not one who is in the process of putting a shop together.
The projects are very straightforward - too simple in some cases to keep the attention of someone who wants to attain levels of artistry. There is no effort to rank the projects by complexity, or connect the skills required to section of the book. This can trap a beginner into a task that takes experience to complete. I'm also informed that some of the shopping lists are incorrect, so make a point of checking before buying. Nothing is more irritating than having something become scrap because you followed the directions.
So be warned that this book is of the greatest value t someone who is both a complete beginner and has access to a full shop. Access to a competent woodsmith wouldn't hurt either. If you fit in that niche the this could be a satisfactory purchase. If not look about you. Several of Taunton Press's efforts may be more useful to you.
Excellent.......2004-09-22
The book is divided in 2, the first 1/3 talks about tools, wood, joinery, etc. It's a great reference, and I find myself going back to it for reference.
The last 2/3 of the book are projects. There are many varied projects in the book. Some are too hard for a beginner, some are too easy. You're liable to find something you can do, and you'll learn a lot in the build.
Amazon.com
This is a joint project between the editors of Better Homes & Gardens and the Home Depot, and much like their earlier collaboration, Home Improvement 1-2-3, they cover a lot of ground in this big, detailed book. Clear, step-by-step instructions and diagrams for just about any outdoor project one can imagine--from deck building and maintenance to building a retaining wall to making outdoor furniture to installing an outdoor faucet or constructing a customized fountain--it's in here.
A very useful series of features throughout the book helps guide the homeowner: "Skill Scale" assesses the skill level needed for individual projects; "Trip Saver" helps save time and money, eliminating numerous trips to the store; "Safety Alert" warns of potential dangers on given projects; "Oops!" describes common errors and boo-boos and helps find solutions; "Designer's Corner" helps the reader with design and style choices.
Overall, as a comprehensive and nitty-gritty guide to all of the most common outdoor projects, this is a perfect book for the novice, but will have information and shortcuts for the experienced homeowner and do-it-yourselfer, too. --Mark A. Hetts
Book Description
Combines the expertise of Home Depot—the nation's #1 home center retailer and Better Homes and Gardens Books—America's leading home and family publisher.
Every project is shown with clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrations.
The Home Depot employees review ever page to ensure accuracy.
Skill Scales for each project indicate the level of skill required and how long the project might take.
Stuff You'll Need features with every project includes a list of tools and materials needed to complete each project.
Bright red Safety Alerts call to the reader's attention any potentially dangerous situations.
Homer's Hindsight highlights mistakes homeowners should know about and how to avoid them.
Designer's Corner provides design tricks and tips that only experts know.
Buyers Guides highlight how to get the right part and offers advice on how to get the best value.
Regional variations in construction techniques are highlighted.
Customer Reviews:
Great for the 1st time landscaper!!.......2006-12-07
My husband is a carpenter and very good with working on things in the home. He needed a little guidance for outdoor projects that he never had done before. This book was even great for me who has no knowledge or training in building or landscaping. The two of us redid our entire back yard and it looks wonderful....we added a deck, patio, retaining wall, and lots of plants. Now we are looking forward to working on the front yard next Spring. This book will definitely get more use.
nice book!!.......2005-08-14
This book truly gives you the most "bang for your buck". If you are interested in learning how to do a wide variety of things and are somewhat mechanically inclined.....THIS is the book for you! I have my own contracting business and refer to this book many times for that "extra" insight I need on a project. The diagrams and pictures are very helpful and I truly would recommend this book to anyone!
A boon for us non-carpenter, born-in-the-big-city types........2001-01-01
Generally when I used think about home improvements (indoor or out) I thought about calling somebody (experienced or not) to help me with it. It was usually at this point that the neighbors would bring their kids inside. . . Just to be safe. . . To be honest, until just after I bought this book (a year ago) I didn't think I had the inate skills needed to do something as alien to modern men as replacing a fawcet washer, much less replacing the whole fawcet and installing a greenhouse!! This book, aside from not being very good at helping you lift heavy things, is all the help you will need to complete hundreds of different improvement projects in and around your house.
The skill gauge is very acurate in it's time estimates and tells you what level of skills you should have before starting a project - This is helpful if only so you can put your local fire department on call. With all the information on tools, their usage, and the type, amount and quality of materials you will need this book could make Homer Simpson look like Martha Stewart. . . Well, maybe more like Tim Allen, but you get the point.
I highly recommend this book and the Home Depot "HOME IMPROVEMENTS 1-2-3" book as well!! Truly money well spent!
love this book.......1999-10-25
this book is great my husband wanted it and now he loves it he uses it all the time and it give us both ideas on things we can do and then shows us how.
The Handymans Hand Guide.......1999-09-01
A user-friendly search manual of OutDoor/Indoor do-it-yourself projects. This book is a quick read with adaquate illustrations depicting vital home upkeep/improvement projects in simple lay terms. Sport reading for the seasoned professional, critical for would-be's.
Book Description
This book features all-new projects aimed at the hottest trend in garden and yard decoration - rustic structures and accents made from green wood, soldered copper, weathered wood, rough cedar, unfinished iron, and other common materials. Rustic ornaments and structures now dominate most upscale landscape centers and arboretums - some structures sell for hundreds of dollars, using materials that can be acquired for a few dollars. Given the expense of these pieces of yard art, the cost savings offered by doing it yourself are enormous. The book opens with an idea section demonstrating how rustic structures and accents can transform the look of a landscape. This is followed by a section showing where to find green wood and other materials, and how to work with them. The heart of the book is 20 plans and step-by-step directions for a wide range of projects. Projects include: rustic bird houses and wildlife feeders made from weathered cedar; arbors and trellises made from rough willow branches; a garden bench made from bark-on branches shaped by an ax; a garden obelisk made from soldered copper allowed to weather; woven-twig garden edging. The projects are remarkably easy to build, and most can be completed in a single weekend. Dawn King has taught the art of building bark-on garden art pieces at the McLaughlin Woodworking Museum in Kingston, Ontario, and her work has been featured in magazines. She lives in Perth, Ontario.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book.......2007-06-30
Great book. Has good instructions and lots of projects. I have already built a 2 trellises based on this book, and am getting ready to start on some chairs.
Alot of fun!.......2007-05-17
I just attended my 3rd course with Dawn King. If you can take a course with her it is well worth it! The book is easy to follow and the projects actually end up looking like the pictures in the book!! Dawn is a super teacher with a light hearted approach. 5 stars for her and her book.
Disappointing.......2006-08-09
This book has photos of some neat projects, however, there is one page of basic 'instructions' which is not helpful at all. There is no advice on selecting wood/branches, bending them, curing them, finishing/varnishing etc., nor is there instruction (except for screws and a very basic tenon on the aforementioned instruction page)on how to attach the pieces. The only 'directions' are simple illustrations of what order to put the pieces together in. A real disappointment.
Book Description
The patterns included in this woodworking project guide are sized for 18-inch dolls such as the popular American Girl dolls and can be scaled for larger or smaller dolls. Each project includes a list of all materials needed and details the start-to-finish procedure, from preparing wood to staining and painting the piece. Patterns for 30 pieces of doll furniture are included, and five step-by-step projects for a bed, dresser, rocking chair, table, and standing mirror are featured.
Customer Reviews:
Making Doll Furniture in Wood.......2007-06-11
Great book! I bought it for my son-in-law--he loved it.
Doll furniture.......2007-01-04
An excellent book with good projects. So far I've only built the armoire, but have others in mind. I did discover minor discrepancies in the directions. Cuts did not agree with what pictures showed in the construction. Trying to find all the different thicknesses of woods specified was difficult if you do not have access to a thickness planer or sander. There is no problem that can't be overcome with a little ingenuity.
NOT scaled for 18" dolls.......2006-07-08
How disappointing! I bought this book for my daughter's 9th Birthday. Her dad is going to make her American Girl dolls some furniture & I thought this would be the perfect guide. WRONG! The armoire is only 6" deep. The American Girl clothes hangers are 6 1/4" wide. Tell me, how is that going to work? The doors won't even be able to close! Thankfully my hubby is a skilled woodworker & can expand the dimensions, but if he is going to have to come up with his own pattern this book would have best been left on the shelf. We are very disappointed. My brother-in-law is making the picnic table & my niece told me that they were surprised & how small it is looking. Seems like more than one project is not quite up to the 18" par. Think twice before buying this one or at least find one to look at in person before hand.
Great Book.......2006-02-25
I really loved this book. My girls wanted furniture for their dolls, but Pleasant Company Products were out of my budget. Using this book, my daughters and I were able to create the simple pieces.
My older daughter designed a bedroom suite. We painted it blue with a cascade of morning glories. Flower painting is not one of my talents, so we used rub ons from the craft store. The bed was easy to build, the armoire was challenging. We turned the chest over to Grandpa to finish. I was beyond my skills.
My younger daughter wanted a dining room suite for her tea parties. The table and chairs were fine, but once again we requested Grandpa's assistance to turn an armoire into a china hutch. We painted the furniture a lovely yellow with sunflower transfers. Both of my girls love it.
In closing, the beds, tables, and chairs were fine for a beginner. If you are attempting any of the case-goods, you might need a grandpa too.
I don't have a lot of tools. My local store (the orange one) cut the wood to size for me, so we just needed to assemble it, sand it, etc. The first cut was free, and there was a nominal charge for the other cuts. The sweet gentleman who helped us liked the book. He is a grandpa, and is going to buy the book too.
I wish the case-good projects were a little easier. I also wish there were simple patterns for bed coverings and chair pillows. I am an experienced seamstress, but others may benefit from this in the next edition.
good book but----.......2006-02-08
This is not a book for beginning wood workers.
Need a lot of different tools.
Book Description
Superb, step-by-step guide enables even beginners to build masterpieces by Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, Phyfe, other celebrated craftsmen. Fundamentals, tools, woods, hardware, joinery, dovetailing, finishing, much more. Remarkably detailed and precise construction drawings with exact measurements and full explanation of all procedures. Over 500 illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Classic topic, dated presentation.......2007-05-07
Some of the designs in this book are projects that I definitely intend to build. However, using this book to produce the designs in it requires a good set of woodworking skills and ability to come up with the project based on a minimal presentation. The drawings are adequate, but the photos are very poor quality. Frankly I could produce a better quality presentation on an office copier. Very dated to the 70's and not a book to read just for enjoyment or to look at the pictures.
Earyl Roddy.......2006-11-10
The book gives essential information to anyone interested in the design or construction classic American furniture.
High quality work.......2006-01-15
I took the initiative to build the carved corner china from the plans in this book and they are excellent. When I was done with my project I wrote Mr. Gottshall with photos of my project and he wrote back immediately, as I am perhaps the only other person he knew who built this particular project.
I telephoned him to thank him for the education I got building from his plans but alas, he had had a stroke. This was in 1978. I can be reasonably certain Frank has passed away by now, but his legacy is in his books which got better as he got older. A must for any cabintmaker.
Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects.......2005-09-30
I gave this book "Making Antique Furniture Reproductions" as a present to a person who is learning how to make furniture. This book was very well received and appreciated for all of its detailed information and illustrations.
Gottshall will be a good companion........2003-01-09
Franklin Gottshall has written a number of great woodworking project/reproduction books and periodically reshuffles and reassembles his popular plans. This book one is similar to an earlier red cover version on Reproducing Antique Furniture. I built a variation of the blockfront chest. Gottshall's construction explanations are very clear and his drawings are thorough, and accurate. I wanted a four drawer instead of a three drawer chest. I used a Kittinger catalog to rescale the piece, but basically followed Gottshall's construction. His piece did call for full 7/8in sides which required a little research to find. A source supply would have been nice. I accomplished the carving of the shells from his layout, though I modified the center design somewhat, and thought his shell looked a little thick, but simply thinning it down did the trick. Because when I built the piece in 1974, I didn't have the variety of router bits available today, I found I had to design some templates and jigs to ensure success on the complex cuts. But all that is doable. Recommend that you draw up full scale plans from Gottshall's plans for complex pieces. It will help you learn the construction. Even if you do not like or build all the pieces, it is a valuable reference on fine furniture construction that you'll reference often. It's a great book.
Book Description
“With no previous woodworking experience and a few basic hand tools, anyone can make rustic furniture for the cost of a few nails, a walk in the woods, and this book. Hundreds of both color and black-and-white photographs display the rich traditions and the vast stylistic range of past and contemporary rustic furniture.”—Popular Woodworking. “Highly recommended.”—Fine Tool Journal.
Customer Reviews:
Jeff's review.......2007-04-03
Great tips throughout the 160 pages. More black and white than color
photos due to historical photo examples and workshop illustrations
more than drawings. Somewhat more stylish and art intensive than
everyday use cover suggests.
For Me - A Change of Pace.......2005-09-04
I've been doing regular woodworking and decoy carving for decades. Since I've gotten this book, I've made two rustic tables. I'm looking forward to trying some other projects soon.
Mack is passionate about this form, and I've also gotten his other book: The Art of Rustic Furniture. If you're at all interested in doing this type of work, each these books are a must-have.
Deceptive title..........2005-06-17
Misled by its title, I was expecting that this book was about making rustic furniture.
However only the last third of the book is about this.
Two thirds of the books (100 p.) consists in a gallery of pictures (with some comments), mostly chairs. Their style is not modern, but not traditional either. I find most to be weird or snob. Actually many look postmodern to me (they may not all be from the author, but from his friends -many being also from New York City like him). These may be a source of inspiration for some, but definitely not what I am looking for.
And that last third of the book, about making things is also quite a deception in itself. It is a collection of shallow articles by other authors, who show projects they make, with a very vague and general talk about the technique they use. One uses tenons and mortises (anyone knowing a bit about conventional woodworking will not learn anything here), and worse, others use nails and even bolts (the last one). I really learned nothing from this. In addition, this is all about dry wood.
I recommend instead Les Smith's Build your own Log Furniture (only a little bit of technique, for dry softwood, but at least something...), and much more a book where you really can learn many things: Drew Langsner's Green Woodworking.
YOU can do it.......2003-08-02
If by chance one of those strange looking pieces of "stick furniture" has ever caught your eye and the price seemed high for your budget than consider making your own. This book is full of useful information. Besides the more elborate high end pieces, that are closer to a work of art , there are many examples of simple pieces. The good news is that YOU can make a piece or even a set of rustic furniture. Although it looks complicated, the twisted wood all connected for a functional piece of furniture is relatively easy to make. I've had this book for years and have used it to make several projects for the backyard. You can begin easy with say, a bird house, trellis or a small stool or table. With more experience and confidence the book will provide you with suggestions and inspiration for more dificult projects to tackle. Essentially once you learn and practice some of the basic techniques you are ready to let your imagination go. If you can visualize it YOU can make it. One of the good things about this type of furniture is that if something goes "wrong" this can actually be "corrected" and may lead to an even more interesting effect. Also the piece does not have to have all one type of wood, you can use the burls and roots for interesting effects and even other non-wood objects can be incorporated . Apparently willow is one of the best woods to use but just about any wood will work to create a piece of furniture; it just may not have the intricate and flexibile weavings of willow. You can use whatever is readily avilable in your area. There are examples of various woods including hickory, driftwood, juniper, cedar and maple. While doing a major spring yard cleaning, in summer, I used California Pepper tree limbs and branches to make a large settee for the backyard. Most anyone can do this, even young people without woodworking experience; children can even participate. I incorporated the help of my 15 year old son to complete this project . He had many good ideas and once he got the hang of it was working on sections without me! It made for a good father and son project.The point here being anyone can make something, including YOU. This book will help you learn the basics and than you can move on with the suggested detailed techniques and projects. Besides the tecnical help the book provides, the outstanding varied examples of rustic furniture with different types of wood, the book also has a section on sources for books , rustic furniture dealers, places to buy old and new tools and many of the furniture makers featured in the book addresses and phone numbers for contacts. Once you get this book you will never look at the old wood pile or take a walk in the woods in the same manner. This is an excellent sourcebook with informative and creative inspiration just waiting to help you get started on your first project. Happy rustic furniture making!
An inspiring book!.......2000-03-28
If you love rustic funiture you need this book. I have several books on the subject and this is by far my favorite. It has lots of great photos of both contemporary and traditional rustic pieces, and many helpful tips and how-tos. I made a willow chair and found the instructions easy to follow, with good descriptions and step-by-step photos. It was a fun project. Daniel Mack makes beautiful furniture and does a great job of sharing his knowledge.
Customer Reviews:
This is an excellent collection!.......2004-06-16
I would classify myself as an intermediate level woodworker and a book expert (I am a librarian after all) and I can honestly say that this is one of the absolute best books of its type on the market. As I see it, the normal downfall of a book such as this is the authors either spend way too much time giving us all of the philosophical and historical background behind the furniture style in question, or once they actually get to the furniture projects section they disappoint by selecting such rare (and odd) pieces to reproduce that the book ultimately becomes more of a novelty rather than a useful tool.
I am thrilled to say that the authors of this book got the balance between philosophy and practical matters just right. There is just enough about Arts and Crafts fundamentals here to whet the appetite for the projects which follow. And speaking of the projects, this is good stuff! Out of the twenty two projects offered in this book, I can honestly say that I would be very happy to build fifteen of them and put them in my own home. In a book this size I am usually lucky if half of the projects are appealing enough to want to build them for myself, and keep in mind that I am a HUGE fan of this furniture style.
Bottom line is that the color illustrations (although minimalist to the beginner's eye) are compelling to the more skilled among us, the choice of projects is excellent, and the bibliography of suggested reading is very good. I highly recommend this purchase.
Build it all and have fun!.......2004-05-11
I have built almost everything in the book. I made a few mistakes because I misinterpreted the drawings, but if you study the drawings very carefully before construction then you will truly enjoy this book. Author needs to write another book like this. Watch the interpretation of Dado and rabbet joints in particular.
Excellent Writing and Furniture Designs.......2003-09-03
This book was the first that I picked up when I started building my own furniture. The projects turned out great and the finishing process that he recommended was excellent. The diagrams and step by step instruction give you all the information that you need to complete each project even if you're an amateur like I am (you do need to have/buy some good power tools though). I've made two of the projects he describes and there are still a couple more I'd like to do.
Furniture you will use.......2000-12-13
This is a good A&C furniture book for the intermediate woodworker. The authors cover pieces from the simple (wastebasket) to the more difficult (entry bench, sideboard). A nice touch is that besides covering the usual Gustav Stickley pieces there are items by other A&C companies of the time (Shop of the Crafters, Limbert, Greene & Greene [actually architects, but they designed the furniture for their buildings], L & J.G. Stickley, Roycroft). The introductory chapter covers a brief history of the style, next is an introduction to some of the general woodworking techniques needed, and then the various projects with good photographs and explanations (there are a couple of minor editorial glitches, but they cause no real problems). The projects also vary from a duplicate of the original to slightly modified interpretations. A useful technique is given for staining/glazing the furniture to achieve the traditional golden brown color without actually having to fume the pieces in concentrated ammonia (a smelly, dangerous, and potentially lethal approach). So if you are a somewhat experienced beginning woodworker, you should find some great projects here to move you on to the next level. And even if you are a very experienced furniture maker, you will find some nice pieces you might want to make too.
Book Description
The eclectic look is home decor's hottest trend, but flea market shopping has become a national obsession, making it difficult to find real bargains. BJ Berti reveals how easy it is to get the look for less by giving new life to inexpensive castoffs and finding unusual ways to make the most out of ordinary pieces.
A flea market veteran, BJ is a pro at reimagining the wobbly end table as a vehicle for vibrant color and seeing beyond a coating of ugly paint or covering of faded fabric. In Flea Market Makeovers, she reveals secrets for spotting diamonds in the rough at local flea markets, neighborhood garage sales, and vintage furniture stores and shows how to gauge the potential of the curbside castoff.
Through twenty-five projects and a special section of basic techniques, BJ explains how a little loving care and a touch of elbow grease can transform the most forlorn-looking pieces into charming additions for all rooms of the home. Step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow her philosophy of restore, revive, and reuse. Why overlook a piece just because it has loose joints or a shaky leg? Minor fixes are easy to accomplish with a little craft know-how, and sometimes just a rigorous cleaning is all that's needed to unveil a prize find.
BJ carefully describes how to strip away layers of paint, smooth nicks and dents, and replace old stuffing and fabric. She also illustrates how simple it is to revive a piece by adding a painted pattern, some beveled mirror pieces, or a carved wooden molding. For example, a simple folding card table looks entirely different after BJ replaces its dull floral tabletop with new painted canvas. Finally, BJ demonstrates how to successfully reuse pieces with unexpected placement. For example, a bookcase with fresh detailing stands out as smart storage for a dining room, and a panel from an old upright piano makes waves as a headboard over a bed.
With projects that range from a new lamp to brighten a corner of a living room to a mirrored panel for sectioning off a study,
Flea Market Makeovers balances the best of crafting with extremely chic results for every room of the home. Flea Market Makeovers makes it easy to spot the hidden gems with the acumen of a pro.
Customer Reviews:
Refinish Those Flea Market Finds.......2005-05-18
This book provides a variety of step-by-step instructions, ideas and tips for refinishing bargain items you might find at a flea market, yard sale, Goodwill or even in your own garage. There are 25 projects in all, ranging from lampshades to shelves.
While some of the projects are a bit eclectic and might not be for everyone, you can still adapt the concept and steps to create something unique that suits your own taste. For example, you could follow the directions for rewiring an old lamp using the base of your choice, not necessary the pressed glass that the author uses.
The book includes excellent color photos and simple directions for each project. There are chapters on lamps/shades, chairs, tables and beds, storing/organizing (bookcase, Mission-style coat rack, metal storage bin) and odds & ends (picture frame, folding screen room divider, etc.), so there's something for the curious as well as the more ambitious.
If you enjoy watching home decorating shows (like Trading Spaces) or are just a DIY kind of person of beginning to intermediate skills, this book provides some great ideas and how-to advice. If you're a more advanced DIY person, this might be a bit too basic for you.
Not bad but not my taste.......2001-08-09
I suppose I should start by specifying that I am not a flea market junkie, though I have been known to haunt garage sales and search for bargains that I could transform into something fun and wonderful for my home. This book does have a wide variety of projects in it, and the directions and materials needed for each project are laid out neatly and expertly. If you can follow directions, you should be able to accomplish most or all of the projects in this book.
That said, I was not attracted to the majority of the projects in here. You can, of course, customize each project to fit your home, and yes there are some decent tips in here as far as doing general fixer-upper jobs on old flea market finds...but in general the projects in this book appeared flashy, trendy, and too frilly for my tastes. I can flip through this book and my mind writes it off as 'just another fru-fru craft book', which I have an inordinately large pile of. :)
If you LIKE fru-fru craft books this would be a good one to get, because not only do you get a wide variety of projects, you also get handy tips on repair and maintenance, as well as a guide to tools and materials needed for this type of restoration work.
So go to it and good luck with those flea market bargains of yours!
Just Do It!.......2000-09-11
Flea-market junkies-- here's help with fixing up the stuff you just HAD to have and now wonder how on earth you're going to do it. The 25 projects outlined in this wonderful how-to book are just the beginning. Use them as "jumping off" lessons in repairing and refurbishing the worn, but good stuff you have sitting in your garage waiting for your loving attention. Large, clear photos and step-by-step instructions make for easy understanding of each project. I've used it and I treasure it, it's a jewel!
Book Description
Furniture design is a complex art. Traditionally, techniques of the craft have been passed down from master to apprentice, but these days that is less and less the case in contemporary design. Students are now required to take courses and figure out much of it themselves. This book, as with others in the Design Secrets series, takes readers into the studio and reveals tips and techniques as well as the inspiration that brought the concept to life.
Many graphic and product designers are crossing into furniture design, including Karim Rashid, a designer of product, space, light, and fashion, and Todd Oldham, a photographer, graphic designer, product designer, interior designer, and influence in film/video and TV. Oldham is now the star designer at Lazy Boy, a company that has experienced a remarkable rebirth and revamp.
Design Secrets: Furniture shadows similar success stories by showcasing award-winning furniture designs from around the world. Each profile is complete with sketches, notes, and interim iterations revealing how the final piece came to be.
Customer Reviews:
Teaching Tool.......2007-01-10
Very nice publication, well presented and concise. Information is limited as to the "how to" in my opinion but gives a very goog idea, and direction as to where to start when designing for manufacturing. Introduces a broad range of approaches regarding techniques and material. Well illustrated in an understantable and steady format. Good research and illustration (introduction) of manufacturing techniques and processes. Must have for furniture making teaching tool.
Great insight into the product development process.......2007-01-04
For those looking to be inspired and to get some insight into the design process from the product idea through to production, then read this book.
Book Description
Strong, versatile, and amazingly easy to work with, concrete is the ideal medium for outdoor art and long-lasting, practical projects for the garden. And, best of all, it doesn't cost a lot of money or require special equipment; everything you need is right at the local home improvement center, ready and waiting. A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and then tailored them perfectly for low-tech surroundings and personal expression. Work with molds; form over armatures; model or carve with concrete; take advantage of technical advances to develop lighter, stronger structures; and treat concrete surfaces with mosaics, embedded objects, incising, and coloring. For dazzling outdoor embellishment, craft Garden Critter Stepping Stones, a Trough Planter, Birdbath, Little Lady Fountain, and a jazzy border. Every one of the 25 projects will open up new creative horizons!
Customer Reviews:
making concrete garden ornaments.......2006-07-16
this book is so easy to follow! i have made so many cool things!if you think concrete is just for sidewalks,think again.this book really opens up new horizons you had never thought about.
I love it!.......2006-06-17
This is a great book, with lots of information. Even if you have never worked with concrete before this book makes it easy. I highly recommend this book! I was right out the next day making things. ENJOY!
Great!.......2005-09-29
I am a true beginner working with concrete. I wanted information on making stepping stones and I found this information and a whole lot more! It was written for anyone to be able to understand and start projects immediately. You won't be dissappointed if you purchase this book. I love it!
Very interesting.........2005-08-04
Learn all about concrete and the incredible art that can be made from it, including detailed recipies and instructions for many uses such as lightweight forms that can be moved from place to place. Experiment with a new medium--concrete.
Dress Up Your Yard.......2005-05-14
According to the author, "Concrete isn't just for sidewalks anymore." Included in this colorfully illustrated how-to book are step-by-step instructions for making a frog fountain, garden "critters," concrete fossils, a masonry planter, a birdbath, and much more. Projects are divided into sections by skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For those who are new to working with concrete, there are also chapters on concrete basics, forming and construction techniques, and surface treatments. (reviewed by South TX Library System)
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Books Index
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The Complete Manual of Woodworking
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