Design Book Six: 270 Photographs of the Best Work in Wood

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.

There is a considerable difference between the following plans part 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. The range of style and approach presented is wide. Everything from the ultra-modern to the ultra-traditional, each and every one of them marvels of craftsmanship. Some of my favorites are the cover shot of two chairs 'relaxing' on a table (Richard L. Ford, Jr.), a meticulous Arts & Crafts derives Gent's chest (Dan Mosheim), and the totally outré chest as a caricature of a stove (Kimberly Keizer). This issue includes a long essay by Scott Landis on apprenticeship that made me wish I could start out all over again.

Even if you are not a woodworker, this book is excellent. You will be amazed by some of these pieces of art. If you are a woodworker, you will be blown away. Every time I look at the book I am amazed by how creative people can be. Most of the other ones are out of print and hard to find, so I suggest getting this one while you can.

This book consists of pictures of wood designs categorized by type of work. Each design is a combination of craftsmanship and artistic creativity. The photo reproduction is excellent. The level of woodworking skill is incredible. I'm just an amateur, and many of the works used amazing techniques that I wouldn't even think about trying.I was looking for project ideas and the variety in the book far exceeds my tastes. Less than 20% of the designs actually interested me, though many had ideas that I could learn from. The book doesn't include shop drawings or build instructions. It does, however, reinforce my determination to continue working wood.