Customer Reviews

Greene & Greene: Design Elements for the Workshop

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Darrell Peart has written a book that is not only a joy to read, it is also one of those magic windows for finding the secrets of restoring Greene and Greene houses and furniture. Craftsmanship details that with time fade and tatter and beg for repair can now with Peart's fine instruction and diagrams and pictures be restored to as close to their normal glory as possible.

Probably everyone knows of the Greene and Greene style that blossomed in the first part of the past century, elements of architecture, space design, through-designed homes that introduced the natural flow through of air that cooled the California Craftsman houses based on Oriental concepts as well as incorporated Art Deco decor in inlays of various materials that made everything they touched a work of art.

Peart shows us with consummate skill the manner in which these little miracles can not merely be salvaged but recreated when missing parts leave a home wanting. By first giving a well researched treatise on the Greenes and their innovative concepts, he then takes us through instruments, material, and carefully chosen instructions that not only make life easier for the home craftsman, but also provide the armchair architecture and design devotees with data and information that make the Craftsman Movement wholly understandable.

Generously illustrated with photographs and drawings of Greene and Greene masterworks in buildings and furniture and decor elements and also with the step-by-step techniques with the correct instruments to fashion materials back to the original state. It is an important resource book for information on the Craftsman Movement (a movement which has never died in California because of the multitude of enthusiasts for the bungalow concept Greene and Greene introduced): it is a fine, comfortable and intelligent read in addition to being the best of the 'how to' books for restoration addicts! Grady Harp, July 06

An outstanding book which combines history with practical techniques for creating your own G&G style furniture. Peart is truly an outstanding craftsman and now an author/historian. Excellent photos and ideas...and some plans.

This is an update of my review....and I wish 6 or 7 stars were possible. The reason is that I just finished a Greene & Greene TV cabinet where I used several of Darrell Peart's techniques and the results were unbelievable perfection but yet made two tasks which I always dreaded as "easy as pie". Here is more detail.

Peart's sections on "Machining the Breadboard Joint" and "The Ebony Spline" taught me how to perform these tasks to perfection. I have done quite a few Greene & Greene pieces of furniture over the past 8 years but I always dreaded these two challenges because of the breadboard ends being proud to the top. After reading and then trying Peart's techniques (which were very well written and illustrate), I asked "Why didn't I think of this?"

For any woodworker who loves Arts & Crafts, Craftsman, and Greene & Greene styles, Peart's book is a MUST for your workshop and will teach you exactly how to perform woodworking tasks needed in these style with ease and perfection.

I thank Darrell for taking the time to publish this book.

This book provides a some interesting techniques for some of the design details of Greene and Greene furniture. It also provides some historical background on the brothers and the craftsmen that collaborated with them. In addition, there are some examples of modern pieces by several craftsmen influenced by the Greene brothers. What it does not have are detailed plans for complete furniture. As such, it is of more interest to the woodworker looking to expand his techniques than someone looking to recreate a specific piece of furniture.

I wish I had this book a year ago when I undertook the construction of three G&G pieces for our church. I had to figure out how to make many of the details on my own. Now I find out there are better, and easier, ways. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wishing to build anything in the G&G style, or to those just wanting to learn more about the construction and evolution of the style. Mr Peart does a masterful job!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to doing a piece in the Greene & Greene style. Peart makes gorgeous furniture, and his treatment of design and construction of G&G stuff is clear, intelligent, and sensitive.
The first section, on the history of Greene and Greene, is perhaps less compelling. I read it with interest, because it's the first book I've read on G&G, but Peart's strengths as a writer are more in the direction of design and technique than in biography. Readers most interested in biography and history might want to look elsewhere.
This is not a serious drawback: the book delivers what the title promises--design elements for the workshop. It does this so well that I ask, with another reviewer, when volume two is coming out.

A very good book on how the many design elements used in the manufacture of Greene & Greene furniture come together. The color illustrations and accompaning text are easy to understand and easily guide any interested woodworker or patron of this arts & crafts furniture builder. The only small comment would be - when's the next add on edition coming?

A must for the woodworker who is looking to accomplish those fine details in the Greene bros. furniture. They are easier to do once you see how it is done, a great time savins book.

In Greene And Greene: Design Elements For The Workshop, Darrell Peart draws upon his many years of professional experience and expertise in both commercial and custom furniture making to provide home shop woodworking enthusiasts with a series of "how to" lessons in vitally important aspects of furniture making. Profusely illustrated and offering a complete, step-by-step, "user-friendly" instructions for creating classic Greene And Greene details such as ebony plugs, leg indents, brackets and pulls, Greene And Greene is enhanced with over two-hundred photographs and drawings, pictures of Greene and Greene inspired designs created by contemporary craftsmen, and in-depth background information on Charles and Henry Greene. An impressive contribution to any personal, school woodshop, or community library woodworking reference collections, Greene And Greene is very strongly recommended for any woodworking buff's do-it-yourself furniture making projects.

To be fair, I am new to buying ebooks and I expected this book to be full color since that was how the cover was represented. Of course, the Kindle is grayscale so I should have known. For those of us using full color devices such as the iPad, Amazon should offer a color version. To be sure, this book would be far more enjoyable and visually informative with full color, hi res photos. Lesson learned.

I originally purchased this book because I wanted to make the "indent leg" jig. I was pleasantly surprised with all the Green & Green history and the Hall brothers history. It is a really good read especially if you are interested in Arts & Crafts furniture.