Comments on: Practical Furniture Design (Fine Woodworking)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:03:18 +0000

Review by for Sourcebook of Modern Furniture, Third Edition Rating: When anything is modern, it means that it's from this era=this time=now. But also, "MODERN" things point to the design movement that grew from the 1920's Modernism movement. That is why many of the Modern pieces such as Charles and Ray Eames pieces are considered "classic", despite the tag("Modern Furniture") that follows them. So I think this book shows great examples of furniture designs from Modernism era and its following influences. I disagree with Ping Lim about not having shown all the recent great works, because I think Karim Rashid and Aeron chair are considered either post post modern or futurism, not modernism.

By: Bartleby

Bartleby — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:31:02 +0000

Review by Bartleby for Sourcebook of Modern Furniture, Third Edition Rating: I was disappointed with the book and returned it. Nothing by Robsjohn Gibbings. Nothing by Harvey Probber. Only a single piece by Wormley. Only two by Finn Juhl. Instead, the selection seems weighted heavily toward austere Italian designs of metal and glass, esp. those produced in the 1960s and later. I did not expect the editors to show such a lack of interest in wood. And given the book's definitive-sounding title, I did not expect them to adopt such an rigid and uninteresting definition of "modern."

By: Patricia Jones

Patricia Jones — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:01:35 +0000

Review by Patricia Jones for Sourcebook of Modern Furniture, Third Edition Rating: 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.

BTW, many of the listed reviews are referring to the 2nd edition which is now 10 years old!!! Check to be sure which edition other reviewers are referring to before making a purchase decision...you wouldn't want to miss out!!

By: Ping Lim

Ping Lim — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:36:23 +0000

Review by Ping Lim for Sourcebook of Modern Furniture, Third Edition Rating: Undoubtedly, this is one of the best reference book re modern furniture on the market place. Having said that, the readers should be aware that this edition is 4 years old. Some of the modern furnitures listed have since become modern classics & many important pieces after 1996 are not listed in here. For example, the working chair produced by Steelcase that is comparable with Aeron chair without its high price tag, Solo sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, Vitra & Kartell ranges by Philippe Starck, more lightings by Ingo Maurer & the list could go on & on. Moreover, the authors could include pertinent website & e-mail address for suppliers & manufacturers on top of the snail mail addresses that were provided. It also would be more attractive if the book is printed in colour. Overall, it remains a substantial book. PS: Has the author ever considered updating the book online?

By: Sean Lucey (sl@tgg.com)

Sean Lucey (sl@tgg.com) — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:00:38 +0000

Review by Sean Lucey (sl@tgg.com) for Sourcebook of Modern Furniture, Third Edition Rating: Habegger and Osman offer up one of the most comprehensive guides to the furniture of the Modern Age. Close up photography accompanies most entries in this massive hardcover volume. A welcome addition to your library, this book has it all- Frank Lloyd Wright and his visionary lighting and Asian-influenced low horizontal lines; Charles and Ray Eames; George Nelson; and the masters of the Modern manifesto, Herman Miller and the soon to be classic Aeron chair. I have dozens of modern design books which I've collected over the years leading up to the recent ressurgence in popularity of retro-fifties design, and if I could keep just one this would be it.

By: M. L Strickland

M. L Strickland — Fri, 14 May 2010 14:28:20 +0000

Review by M. L Strickland for Practical Furniture Design (Fine Woodworking) Rating: This book is exactly what I was looking for. Has good information on the aesthetics of furniture design including use of the golden ratio (phi) for establish pleasing proportions. Cover the process from the drawing board to making models and mock ups and finally consruction. Has a very good article on how to construct a chair that will stand up to abuse. Help with design, engineering and construction of any type of furniture.

By: Nicholas G. Mccleery

Nicholas G. Mccleery — Fri, 14 May 2010 14:13:56 +0000

Review by Nicholas G. Mccleery for Practical Furniture Design (Fine Woodworking) Rating: Great book sort of basic but lots of info on styles and furniture eras. Also great book on how to design furniture that looks pleasing to the eye.

By: D. Bench

D. Bench — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:23:24 +0000

Review by D. Bench for Practical Furniture Design (Fine Woodworking) Rating: The information presented makes it seem so easy and gets you going to approach a project with confidence. I like that they base designs on the rules of design. It makes the esthetics flow easily, everything seems right to the eye. It's very good for woodworkers new to the craft.

By: Tano

Tano — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:16:09 +0000

Review by Tano for Practical Furniture Design (Fine Woodworking) Rating: I am 100% satisfied with this purchase. The book arrived promptly, even if I used the cheapest mailing option.

By: M. Larson

M. Larson — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:53:59 +0000

Review by M. Larson for Practical Furniture Design (Fine Woodworking) Rating: I find it hard to believe the Fine Woodworking keeps on putting the same material across a multitude of books. I was hoping for some insight above and beyond the few books my library has on the shelves but this book contains about 80-90% of the same content from those few books (all of them from Fine Woodworking).

I would bet that Find Woodworking (Tauton Press) can mix and match from the last 50 years of magazine articles to form just about any book of 200 pages on any subject and call it yet another fine book.

I would search elsewhere, like the library for prior Fine Woodworking books.