Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) [Hardcover]

Jerryll Habegger (Author), Joseph H. Osman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Norton Books for Architects & Designers | Publication Date: November 1996

This is an illustrated guide to influential furniture and lighting designs of the 20th century. It catalogues a selection of the creations of renowned designers and architects. Arranged by type, the pieces have been chosen for the quality of the design, innovative manufacturing technique or use of material, as well as successful synthesis of form and function. Each entry gives the essential details of the design.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Handy reference tool for interior designers and furniture historians, but a good guide for anyone interested in redoing a home. (Newsday, Pam Robinson) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Jerryll Habegger teaches at the Harrington Institute of Interior Design in Chicago, Illinois.

Joseph H. Osman, a furniture and jewelry dealer, lives in Ashland, Massachusetts. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; 2nd edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393730107
• ISBN-13: 978-0393730104
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,270,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Professional Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Comprehensive Guide to Modern Furniture, April 4, 1998

By 

Sean Lucey ([e-mail]) (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) (Hardcover)

Habegger and Osman offer up one of the most comprehensive guides to the furniture of the Modern Age. Close up photography accompanies most entries in this massive hardcover volume. A welcome addition to your library, this book has it all- Frank Lloyd Wright and his visionary lighting and Asian-influenced low horizontal lines; Charles and Ray Eames; George Nelson; and the masters of the Modern manifesto, Herman Miller and the soon to be classic Aeron chair. I have dozens of modern design books which I've collected over the years leading up to the recent ressurgence in popularity of retro-fifties design, and if I could keep just one this would be it.

52 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars time for an upgrade, January 7, 2000

By 

Ping Lim (Christchurch) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) (Hardcover)

Undoubtedly, this is one of the best reference book re modern furniture on the market place. Having said that, the readers should be aware that this edition is 4 years old. Some of the modern furnitures listed have since become modern classics & many important pieces after 1996 are not listed in here. For example, the working chair produced by Steelcase that is comparable with Aeron chair without its high price tag, Solo sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, Vitra & Kartell ranges by Philippe Starck, more lightings by Ingo Maurer & the list could go on & on. Moreover, the authors could include pertinent website & e-mail address for suppliers & manufacturers on top of the snail mail addresses that were provided. It also would be more attractive if the book is printed in colour. Overall, it remains a substantial book. PS: Has the author ever considered updating the book online?

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When the best gets better!!!, August 13, 2003

By 

Patricia Jones (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Norton Books for Architects & Designers) (Hardcover)

As predicted, the 3rd edition is OFF THE HOOK!!! The 3rd edition, published in 2005, has close to 700 new entries. Nearly half of the photos are in color and the authors have included web site information for manufacturers. This latest edition is in the collection of prominent museums and academic institutions across the globe, especially universities which have significant design and architecture programs. This is certainly a must have edition for the intellectually astute connoisseur of furniture and design.

BTW, many of the listed reviews are referring to the 2nd edition which is now 10 years old!!! Check to be sure which edition other reviewers are referring to before making a purchase decision...you wouldn't want to miss out!!