1 comments about Simple colonial furniture,.

1. The 39 projects consist of a single page of plans, not exploded diagrams with step-by-step as in modern how-to, with a list of parts to cut, and a short commentary on particular problems. The most complicated have two pages of plans with two pages of remarks and "Bill of Material" (parts list).

   Originally copyrighted in 1931, this has been reprinted by the likes of Bonanza Books in recent years. This book was designed for the trained home woodworker and for the teacher of advanced wood shop classes at vocational high schools. The projects are called "problems" for classrooms, and are designed to challenge students as they increase in skill, though the book itself does not teach the skills: turning on the lathe, cutting mortise & tenon joints, etc. Even where he gives rudimentary instructions on making rush seats, he suggests getting a book on chair seating.

   If you can deal with this, you may enjoy the project range. The 8 miscellaneous projects range from book ends and frames to lectern and library magazine rack. There are nine tables, 6 stools or chairs, 6 desks or chests, 6 cabinets or shelving units (they overlap), 2 clocks and 2 beds. I should note that none of these are "authentic" reproductions of any particular antique, but are all the author's (excellent, skilled) designs in the Early American style, often a bit simplified from the original methods. He also includes furniture for modern living: smoking stands (ashtray pedestals), radio cabinets, bulletin boards, etc.

   The chapter on furniture finishing weighs the pros and cons of shellac vs. varnish, and tells how to apply both and trad wood sealers, but of course has nothing to say about modern finishes like acrylic or urethane.

   Consider this an addition of projects to your library of how-to books on woodworking and finishing, rather than any kind of training text, either beginning or advanced.

No comments about Light Furniture.

2 comments about Organized Living.

1. The minute I picked up this book, I could not put it down. There are so many great ideas in it, that it makes it almost impossible not to try to be a little bit more organized. I work in Advertising and it's been a great help.It's come in handy when I'm designing because it has such a great sense of space, structure and balance. This book is a must for anyone who needs help getting organized.



2. Dawna Walter should be considered one of England's national treasures! Her book has amazing tips for organizing the home. The book is cleverly divided into sections by room type. Each section has different examples, tips and lots of beautiful photos. Unlike other books on orhanizing the home Walter's does not consist soley of starkly modern interiors devoid of posessions. My favorite tip is to have storage under steps in a stairwell. It's hard to explain, but a picture;s worth a thousand words and the book has plenty! Definitely a book that you will come back to again and again.

No comments about French furniture and decoration in the XVIIIth century,.

No comments about The Art Of Home Decoration.

No comments about Only Beds (Only).

No comments about Period furniture for everyman,: A handbook for the amateur,.

No comments about Colonial furniture in America: Vol. 1 and v. 2 complete. Supplementary chapters and 136 plates of new subjects have been added to this ed., which now includes over 1000 illus. of representative pieces.

No comments about Blue book, Philadelphia furniture,: William Penn to George Washington, with special reference to the Philadelphia-Chippendale School,.

No comments about How to refinish furniture (The do-it-yourself series).