American Country Furniture: Projects from the Workshops of David T. Smith

Let me think. How many projects of David have I made? Five or six I believe. The most time consuming was the Ohio corner cupboard, about four or five months. A fun easy project was the shoe-foot settle table. In about two months you will get a nice 46 inch around four person kitchen table.Current project is a work table. So why five stars for his book? First- few if any omissions in directions. Second- difficult aspects are anticipated and explained. Third- even individual joints are explained fully in the easy to read directions. Last but not least- if you enjoy,say, Fine Woodworking or other magazines, it is a fun read- and you may learn a few tricks of the trade. Have fun with the book!!!

This book is perfect for the beginner/intermediate woodworker who loves early American country furniture. All of the plans are either exact replicas or very close to the real thing. David's attention to detail is excellent. So far I've built about 7 of the pieces and am furnishing my home at a fraction of the cost of buying the real thing. I only wish he would print another volume with more projects.

I have at least 50 books on the design and construction of furniture - this one is my favorite. I've made six projects from this book and the instructions are clear, dimensions accurate and the designs, while not very sophisticated, are well proportioned and great examples of country furniture. The section on finishing is particularly useful, covering milk paint, crackle finish and antiquing/distsressing. The corner cupboard and sofa tables which I built in highly figured woods, are wonderful pieces which I always get compliments on. I can't imagine why Rodale hasn't published it again. If you find, buy it!

I found this book at the library and I marked so many projects that I knew it would be worth the investment(but it is out of print as of 3/99). Most projects are simple to build and represent utilitarian, functional design. Pictures are black and white. There are good notes and comments on the construction methods in addition to finishes.

This book has inspired me to excell my interrest in old American country furniture. It is so easy and well written that its truly a joy to read. The book leaves no unanswered questions on the progress of making furniture its all here in the book. I have never seen any book like it. Its like a cook book follow the receipy and you will have sucsess.