Customer Reviews

The Best of Painted Furniture

5 star:		(3)
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Florence de Dampierre's The Best of Painted Furniture is a "must have" source book for any decorative paint artist. It is filled with gorgeous photographs of exquisite furniture displayed both alone or "in situ". Each chapter focuses on a different region of Europe, as well as America, with an emphasis on the changing of painting styles from a fascinating historical perspective. It is an inspirational idea book, and is invaluable when trying to capture the feel of a certain era. Famous decorative paint artists from each coutry are discussed and featured, and the evolution of certain styles of painting, for instance chinoiserie, are examined. It is a painstakingly researched book, and the ideas from the past four centuries unfold in a unique and creative way. The author shows how the painted furniture styles of past centuries blend into modern settings, and also examines painted metal and papier-mache furniture, as well as the care of painted furniture, in general. Creative inspiration and practical advice and a healthy serving of decorative painting history gives this book 5 stars, in my opinion. Enjoy!

it's one of my favorite books, it gives me so much inspiration! it's the best book on painted furniture available now.

Don't we all usually snort with derision at products that claim to be the best? Well, this book exceeded my expectations.

This is a sampler of European and American painted furniture, organized by country, with an historical/scholarly focus that reveals a true editor's eye. 200 pp, color illustrations throughout.

The range of decorative styles here is quite satisfying and every single page is contains something note-worthy and/or aesthetically triumphant. The photographs are a nice balance of rooms, individual pieces, and closeups that allows one to see how the paint was applied (and how it has aged over the years.)

My only complaint -- I wish it were a 900 page book.