The Woodworker's Guide to Furniture Design: The Complete Reference for Building Furniture the Right Size, the Right Proportion and the Right Style [Hardcover]

Garth Graves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

The book begins with a chapter of detailed descriptions and illustrations of a variety of furniture styles - such as Shaker, Queen Anne, and Arts and Crafts - and describes the characteristics that define each style. A summary of the evolution of furniture designs, written in plain language, provides you with a historical perspective of each style's purpose and aesthetic value. That section gives you design ideas and helps get your creative juices flowing, while subsequent chapters provide you with design instructions, each beginning with an overview of the idea it describes and following with clear directions. These instructions include how to develop a design philosophy; how to apply standards of size, shape, style and function to your ideas; how to turn ideas and photos into working drawings; and how to select the proper materials, tools and joinery for your plan. You'll find standard heights for a variety of furniture so you can determine the best size; an appendix, complete with a glossary; and a list of suppliers and supply catalogs, to help you find the materials you need. The Woodworker's Guide to Furniture Design takes you from concept to product, teaching you how to get your ideas onto paper - and from paper into wood. Let this book turn you into a furniture designer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Popular Woodworking Books (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155870437X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558704374
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduces process and principles into the art of design, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Woodworker's Guide to Furniture Design: The Complete Reference for Building Furniture the Right Size, the Right Proportion and the Right Style (Hardcover)

An excellent book which has earned a spot over my drawing table. Superbly covers form/function, visualization, standardized (ergo) vs. personalized design, and construction principles. Covers drawing, drafting and CAD well. Includes a brief history of furniture.

The math is suited for the drawing table rather than the shop, as you should expect for a design book. The hows and whys of design principles are explored, some not as conclusively as I'd like.

The book is well illustrated with many relavent line drawings, charts, and graphs. It is nicely laid out, easy to read, and pleasing to look at.

Nice job, Mr. Graves!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Technical Overview in Plain Language, December 30, 2001

By 

Michael Pingrey (Marietta, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Woodworker's Guide to Furniture Design: The Complete Reference for Building Furniture the Right Size, the Right Proportion and the Right Style (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for the history of style, proportions, and ergonomics. It is especially useful for the cabinetmaker who is custom designing furniture. The golden section (golden rectangle) is covered in the most precise detail I have ever seen. The tables and charts are extremely helpful in the design stage of any project. If you design furniture, you'll definitely want this book in your library.