Customer Reviews

1000 Chairs (Taschen 25)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a very informative reference book on chairs. The introduction summarises succinctly the significance of chairs in our day to day life. It's not only something that we could sit on. The book is conveyed in 3 different languages, illustrated with mixtures of colour & B&W pictures. Biographies of the designers & manufacturers' information come in rather handy indeed. Brief descriptions of chairs are useful at times but then again, I'm finding the descriptions too brief for my full understanding. If the book is too technical, this would turn off general public who merely want to have a general overview on designer or lifestyle chairs. The book was published in 1997 & needless to say, more new chairs would have come out by now. Then again, I'm not complaining considering that almost all modern classics chairs are included. I think it's quite risky to try to squeeze too much information into one book. Having said that, this book deserves a spot on my coffee-table for being a well presented book (as we expect of Taschen) & as a good talking point.

'1000 chairs' is an easy, pictorial guide through 20th Century chair-design. The pictures are very professional, and they all have short texts to briefly explain the significance and context of that particular chair. The chairs are placed in the order of which they were made, which allows you to understand and see the style of that period. The book also shows you how significant CHAIR design is in the world of design and architecture, as that is where styles most commonly makes its first appearance. As a design student, '1000 chairs' has been invaluable in my understanding of designs and period styles, as well as a great introduction to designers/architects and their personal styles. The book has become a good and helpful friend, and there is nothing about the book I feel is missing or shouldn't be there. I don't know where I would have been without it!

As a graphic designer who explores industrial design with great interest, I bought this book when as soon as I saw it. I couldn't check it out thoroughly because it was wrapped. but the photography looked pretty good on the covers. Obviously this is a great resource for designers to go back to and see how one of the most influential pieces of furniture - the chair, developed throughout the ages, throughout the different design/art movements and revolutions. You get a good sense of the progression and this book covers a lot of designers I haven't heard of before, so it's really good to see the wide array of the designs, even though a lot of those designs are not nearly as good as other more known designers like Marcel Breuer, Marc Newson, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe which the book also covers but I guess that's being fair.

As far as readabiltiy and design of the book, it could've been a lot better. Most of the photography featured in the book usually features a gradient lighting scene for the background of the chairs, which tremendously detracts from the design/formal value of the chairs - very distracting. One would appreciate the design and form so much more if these chairs were cropped out or were on a solid plane like they are on the cover. The book is also in three different languages, a little bit excessive and it does hinder the readablity, obviously covering three languages it cannot a significant amount of information to each chair.

I did however find this book very helpful for the developmental process of chairs throughout history and also being able to relate development styles/designers to each other. The end of the book also features little info on each designer. Definitely worth getting if your'e interested in industrial/furniture design.

I cant stress enough how often i use this book to refer to as a modern furniture dealer. Very informative. Great color pictures,information on manufacturers,designers,re-issues, licenses,etc/ from Thonet to Starck. Kudos to Charlotte & peter Fiell!!

This is pure categorical design porn. Each time I open the book, it blows my mind. Timeless, classic, profound, made from trees -- and that's just the first chair!

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.

A captivating book full of inspiring pieces. In addition to a personal copy I have since purchased 20 for my students to use.

Well , laided out and thought out in a small handy size . Another great book to convert to Kindle :-) .

It's a steal! Though it's not very updated but it's good to have most of the famous chairs that an interior designer needs to know! Or it could be a cool coffee table book to display!

Taschen books are always such eye candy, couple the Taschen name with 1000 designer chairs and you have a strong visual reference guide to over 100 years of design of chairs.

Although 1000 chairs seems like a lot you breeze through the decades and it leaves you wanting more. This book is lacking if you are an aficionado of any one era as there are more specialized books that could detail that era better but as an overall history this book hits the mark.