Furniture Books

This is an excellent catalogue of an extensive collection of Shaker artifacts of all kind; clothing, fabrics, furniture, tools, machines, and so much more.
The photographs exhibit the craft of the shakers in every detail. The color captured in some of the pieces provided a pleasant surprise!

It's a beautiful book.

You can hardly walk through a mall these days without hearing some form of "Simple Gifts" cycling through the soundtrack. And, the graceful yet functional lines of Shaker-designed furnishings now are mainstays in many American homes. Yet, most Americans know very little about this Utopian group that truly was among the great contributors to our national culture.

If you visit one of the restored historical sites that once housed Shaker families, you're likely to walk away with a paperback like "The People Called Shakers," by Edward Andrews. But, even after reading the paperback, you won't know the larger and far more dramatic story of Andrews' (and his wife Faith Andrews') passion for preserving the art and spiritual message of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, as the Shakers formally called themselves.

This coffee-table-style book, lavishly illustrated with color photographs, presents that larger story. It's part of a traveling exhibit, drawn from the Andrews collection, which will visit various historical sites over the next couple of years.

The key to the Andrews' contribution really couldn't be properly evaluated until now, I think. As a journalist myself who has specialized in reporting on American religious life for more than 20 years - with a special focus on Shakers through most of those years - I think it's only in this era of "spiritual rebirth" in America that the Andrews' passion and achievements can properly be understood and appreciated.

First of all, "Ted" Andrews began collecting and preserving endangered Shaker pieces in an era when they were considered "low" art at best. So-called experts, when he began to build his collection before World War II, regarded such hand-made, functional items as historical artifacts perhaps worth documenting. The art world was an entire conceptual universe away from its current fascination with such fusions of handicrafts and spiritual insight.

What's more, "Ted" Andrews staunchly believed - in sharp contrast to most developers of historical sites in the mid-20th Century -- that Shaker sites should be preserved primarily for their spiritual value. At least, spiritual themes should be presented on par with gee-whiz exhibitions of artifacts. Initially, this seemed like a crazy notion to many experts and Andrews seemed like a rather bull-headed fellow. But, in today's cultural light, Andrews now appears to have been the prophetic visionary.

If you care about this chapter of American history and this niche within global spirituality, this new Yale University book is a must-own volume on our collective Shaker legacy.

George Nelson is far more than an architect or an industrial designer although he designed homes and products. His unique contribution is that he thought about the fundamental nature of living in a designed environment.

For those who are just starting to find out who George Nelson, the designer, was, this is a very good start.
George Nelson was not only a creative artistic talent, he was also a commercial genius (just like Picasso was). These two talents provided his secret for success that would reward him throughout his life. This book documents some of his most famous creations. This is not a huge book but it gives a good impression of his most celebrated icons. I also suggest to visit the wonderful online archive about George Nelson at WWW.GEORGENELSON.ORG.

Just as Gord Peteran is no ordinary furniture maker, this is no ordinary 'flip through once, tuck it away on the shelf' book. Gord's work is rich in symbolism and skilfully crafted, from a wide variety of materials and with many underlying concepts beyond the inherent functionality of furniture.

This beautiful catalogue of his work, created for his travelling exhibition through the Milwaukee Art Museum, encompasses rough sketches, meticulous renderings, excellent photographs, personal musings, and Potent Quotes - also his fabulous and very funny "Top 10 Shop Rules". The photography of the work is exquisite, offering both overviews, detail shots, and 'in situ' examples, and the many gate-fold layouts allow far larger views of individual pieces that might initially be surmised by the small scale of the book. There are also a wide variety of essays and abstractions regarding his work and its place in the pantheon of Studio Furniture making, as well as observations into each of the individual works featured.

The first edition (2500 units) of the catalogue itself is also a wonderful piece of bookbinders art and design, and features an unusual cover binding, a rich array of papers, and it begs to be explored in in its own right.

Gord Peteran is a fine craftsman with an even finer sense of visual playfulness. Furniture is not usually smile-producing, but the premier exhibit of his works, Furniture Meets Its Maker, does just that. Massive doors become canvasses and wood scraps from the workshop floor become tables. Peteran terms his work "furnitural" - a nod to the sculptural element in what he does.

The book is a wonderful thing. The long foldout pages allow the viewer to enjoy the details of his craft and the text reflects the artist's obvious capriciousness. The paper is of a fine quality and adds to the pleasure of this volume.

See the works in person while you can, and get the book to continue the enjoyment.

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!!!

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.

This book is everything I wanted. The illustrations are bery good and informative.

I have just started collecting Heywood-Wakefield furniture. I began after seeing a show on Home and Garden TV Network on the reissued Heywood-Wakefield line currently being manufactured. I ordered a catalog from them, visited their web site, then started looking for dealers here in Dallas. Long story short, I found a gentleman here in Dallas who buys and sells antique Heywood-Wakefield pieces. I looked at what he had to offer, and ended up spending a small fortune on several pieces for my bedroom and living room. He swore by this book. This is the Heywood-Wakefield collector's Bible. It has a comprehensive list of nigh every piece Heywood-Wakefield made from about the '20s on. It has pictures of all the pieces, comments on the piece's designer(s), history, and most importantly, an updated (1999) pricing list. Buy this, and you and your dealers will always "be on the same page," literally, when it comes to discussing pieces. This is especially helpful to those who are buying from dealers cross-country. A definite must-have!!!

the best decoration/home book ever.
congratulations to ilse crawford, the pictures, the texts.
it warms your heart, it caresses your soul.
definetely, home is where your heart is, but this book helps out a lot.
enjoy your reading.
Ana, Portugal

Since my home was demolished in the hurricane, I have been thumbing through the likes of Veranda, In Style and other similar magazines, seeking ideas about color, arrangement and "style". Though this isn't an "idea book" with gadgets and wall paper, it offers something that is missing from most of my current reading. It opens your mind with philosophy and helps you get to the core of what you really want your home to be. It helped me focus on the important aspects of a home.

Some may find it more akin to a book of "feel good" statements. I, however, found it helps break down the boundaries we let others put on us when we express ourselves through our personal style. Basically, it gets those creative juices flowing by helping you to prioritize. The essence of your home should be a reflection of who you REALLY are-not how you want others to see you. Lest I forget, it is a beautiful book to display for easy access.

Great gift for young couples, hostess gift, anyone who is a fan of decorating magazines or is ready for a change in scenery.

I love Ilse Crawford sense for decoration, but I must say I was deceived by the book (which unfortunately I bought at the same time as her other edition Sensual Living, which is more or less the same). I found both books too much concerned about phylosophy of living instead of orineting on practical issues for interiors. I must admit I am looking for ideas to bild my new house, and if this is the case, this is not the book. In fact you do not get to see much of any of her projects except some pictures of her own home, more or less the same as those appeared in AD. Sory, but for me it was not worth buying it.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in carving or collecting wildfowl carvings. The book arrived within a few days and it was neatly and safely packaged to prevent damage. The book exceeded my expectations.

I bought this book as a gift for my father, who has been carving decoys for many years and taking classes with some of the local experts around the Chesapeake Bay area. When he brought the book to class the instructor had to borrow it for a week to read! It is not necessarily a book for beginners, but if you are serious about the craft, it is a top notch reference book.

I am a custom carpenter in Metro Detroit, and purchased this book a while back as an idea book for wall systems. I have been verry pleased with the book. It has great photos of a wide variety of ideas that can actually be used in a normal person's home. It also presents well to my customers. Many do not. I would definately recommend this book.

In Wall Systems, Scott Anderson and the editors of Sunset Books presents the non-specialist general reader with an impressive collection of ideas for truly great wall system options for creative interior design. Wall systems are an excellent way to organize and display one's possessions without becoming lost in clutter. From open shelves to extensive home theater systems, pullouts, lighting matters, and much more, Wall Systems presents ideas, and tips from what variety of wood to use to finding the right knobs, sample styles of storage furnature, and splendid full-color photographs to reveal a wide range of possibilities to embellish and enhance any home.

The book arrived sooner than I could of imagined. Great condition. Quick Delivery

For those who appreciate fine furniture, this is a wonderful book. Litchfield provides the reader a historical perspective on the evolution of furniture that is truly eye-opening. The drawings of the various pieces are spectacular. In their way they are more descriptive than photographs; although the book could have benefited from some well chosen color photos.

The book contains more than 200 illustrations/sketches from every major historical period (up to the 1890's) and is a historical treasure. It is a must for those of us who are addicted to the Antiques Roadshow.

This is just the cutest book that I've had to read to my daughter at least 3 times a day! We love the style of writing that's teamed with precious illustrations. I also like the extended use of vocabulary throughout the story. A favorite!

A tale told in clever rhyme that lots of fun (especially to read aloud.) But as much as I enjoyed the tale of an incredibly hard-to-please queen, it's the collage of ingenious illustrations that make me giggle. This is the kind of book you read to your kids, then pour over the illustrations after thay have gone to bed! A wonderful book....I can't wait for more.