Customer Reviews

Fine Woodworking Design Book Seven: 360 Photographs of the Best Work in Wood (Bk. 7)

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

 

 

This book contains a compilation of photos of great masterpieces. This book really shows the diversity of design with an wide variety of beautiful hardwoods. This is one of the books I use for inspiration when designing a piece of my own. I recommend it to anyone with an eye for the arts and the confidence to push his/her own limits.

There is a considerable difference between the following plans part of woodworking and the artistic design part. Like anyone else who enjoys the thrumming sounds of a happy workshop, following plans is a soothing process with a satisfying result. But getting an idea into my head (and then trying to make it real) is more frustrating - my life lacks the spare 'dream time' needed. As a substitute, I like to look at the work of others. And Taunton Press's series of design books is a fine place to start.

Each book is like a juried shop with some 10,000 original entries. There are sections on cabinets, chairs and benches, tables, boxes & chests, desks, beds & furnishings, sculpture & carvings, turnings, and accessories & musical instruments. Some 266 individual pieces are presented. While the pieces will appeal differently to different individuals, they all remarkable in some fashion and invited serious thought on possibilities and techniques.

The range of style and approach presented is wide. There is everything from the ultra-modern to the ultra-traditional, from traditional furniture to sculpture and toy. One of my favorites is the clean lines of Jay Bonaventura's dining chair, that seem echo Arts & Crafts without ever becoming that style. Another is a deceptively simple sideboard by Michael Hoffer. And then there is the jaunty enthusiasm of a Randy Morris clock. I hope one day that a piece of my work merits appearance in a publication like this. Not likely, but with such good sources of inspiration, you never know.

Another fantastic collection of woodworking masterpieces. Anyone can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of these pieces. To have this many excellent works in one book is awesome. One of the best woodworking books I have ever seen.

As a craftman, this is the book I turn to when I want to get the creative juices flowing. It is inspiring, better than design book 8. It is a compilation of the most wonderful, exquisite samples of woodcraft put together in one book. Not that you will love every piece, but you will be impressed by the mastery and creativity shown in every piece. There are no drawings, plans or detailed explanations, this is not about copying, it's about inspiring.

As a woodworker it is always good to see what some of the leading edge furniture designers and builders make. Some are conservative, to see how the profession has reached it's height throughout furniture building history, others are way out there trying out the new possibilities, all awesome work! It truly is fascinating what these books inspire in furniture designer/builders and interior designers. The photography, in most cases is truly spectacular and very detailed there where it is supposed to be detailed. The only, slightly negative, comment I have is that information is cheap at best. Don't expect any information of why a piece was designed / built the way it was, or some of the woodworking difficulties that were overcome in building a particular piece. I am sure that there would be some very interesting captions and explanations to be written about the furniture and other items displayed in this, otherwise, wonderful coffee table book.

Great photo quality of all the designs categorized by type. Almost 100 more photos than Design Book 6. Each design listed with creator, dimensions and wood type used. I was trying to get some ideas from the book, but only less than 30% the designs fall in my interests. Most of them are way difficult to make for someone like me who has only a little shop at home or require fancy tools (extreme skills). And some of the designs are just unpractical, they are not even good taste, only for showing off the skills in making them, I guess. I was able to get an idea on how different wood were used in the design to have certain artistic effect or looks to enhance the piece. But you have to guess what kind of finish was used on it.