Arts and Crafts Furniture: From Classic to Contemporary (Hardcover)

by Kevin Rodel (Author), Jonathan Binzen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Arts and Crafts is more than a style of architecture. It is an enduring furniture style that honors the tradition of fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. This book takes a fresh look at the history and influences that resulted in beautiful, functional pieces designed to enhance the interiors of classic Arts and Crafts homes. From William Morris and the roots of the movement, through Gustav Stickley, the Prairie School, and including contemporary pieces, this book celebrates the classic furniture — and the master craftsmen who made it. Arts and Crafts Furniture gives a comprehensive look at the design and construction of this furniture, with nearly 500 color photos illustrating examples of the style. An extensive list of resources and full bibliography is included.

About the Author
Jonathan Binzen is a writer and photographer specializing in furniture and architecture. He's a former senior editor at Fine Woodworking magazine and has written for This Old House and American Craft.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Taunton; illustrated edition edition (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561583596
• ISBN-13: 978-1561583591
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #301,899 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wealth of information, March 9, 2005

By	Scott Pointon "Former Marine, Librarian, Wood... (Crest Hill, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

As a librarian and a lover of all things relating to Arts & Crafts style, I recommend this book to anyone desiring a greater knowledge of this furniture's history and design evolution. With clear color photographs and just the right amount of text, this book illustrates the origins of Arts & Crafts furniture in England and its progression, first to our East Coast, and eventually Westward across America. In fact, my only 'complaint' about this book is that the photographs are good enough that they leave you wanting for more.

Because of the depth of information presented here, I would not say that this is a general interest read - rather this book is geared toward those seriously interested in the history of the Arts & Crafts movement and its recent revival.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, February 4, 2005

By	Ovidiu Predescu (San Francisco Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book provides an excellent introduction in the history of furniture at the end of the 19th century and the evolution of the Arts & Crafts movement. The nice thing about this book is that it's giving the larger context, showing the influence designers in England and continental Europe had on Arts & Crafts movement in America. The book has excellent pictures of representative furniture pieces.

Towards the end of the book, there's a small collection of contemporary furniture makers and designers that build classic pieces, or new ones inspired by the classic designs. You can google the name of the furniture makers to find showrooms and stores that carry their products, which is a very good way to start when you want to buy such furniture.

If you like this type of furniture, and you're technically inclined, it might also help getting a book that describes how this furniture is built. This helped me enormously to understand what is involved in producing good quality furniture.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glimpse into the wonderful wooden past., October 16, 2008

By	W. L. Shute - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a treasure for the simple fact that it gives us a visual clue as to what the make up of a room is in an Arts and Crafts style home. It's invaluable to me to be able to see the total picture and juxtaposition of all the elements in different areas of a home - and in color to boot! As a maker of Stickley reproductions I think this book is wonderful, don't know how I got along without it.