Woodshop Library
500 CHAIRS: CELEBRATING TRADITIONAL & INNOVATIVE DESIGNS is a collection of contemporary chairs from today’s leading furniture makers, as selected by studio furniture maker Craig Nutt. There’s almost no reading…
500 CHAIRS: CELEBRATING TRADITIONAL & INNOVATIVE DESIGNS is a collection of contemporary chairs from today's leading furniture makers, as selected by studio furniture maker Craig Nutt. There's almost no reading required, since this is essentially a picture book of work by Sam Maloof, Garry Knox Bennett, Brian Boggs and almost anyone associated with The Furniture Society, including Nutt (it's good to be the judge and juror). The chairs range from rustic to refined, traditional to futuristic, and absurd to sublime, writes Nutt. Chair makers will probably gain inspiration as they leaf through this book, but they'll be disappointed by the lack of any critique or design insight. The 408-page softcover sells for $24.95. Contact: Sterling Publishing Co., 387 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016-8810. Tel: 212-532-7160. www.sterlingpublishing.com
STUDIO FURNITURE OF THE RENWICK GALLERY, by Oscar Fitzgerald, catalogs the 84 pieces on permanent display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. From the handsome rocking chairs by Sam Maloof, to the carefully crafted stools of Tage Frid, the collection documents the astonishing variety of the American studio furniture movement. The book also chronicles how the collection was amassed by former administrators of the Renwick Gallery. A foreword by Paul Grennhalgh provides an overview and understanding of the studio furniture field. Fitzgerald, who served as the director of the Navy Museum in Washington, D.C., works as a furniture historian and teacher with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The 208-page softcover sells for $35 and will be available in September. Contact: Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., 1970 Broad St., East Petersburg, PA 17520. Tel: 800-457-9112. www.foxchapelpublishing.com
FRESH WOOD VOL. 3: REINVENTING WOODSHOP, edited by Nancy Fister and Adria Torrez, with photography by Michael Fortune, is the latest edition of the unique student-work publication produced by the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers. This third volume showcases the winners of the 2007 Fresh Wood contest, a biennial woodworking competition for high school and post secondary students held in conjunction with the AWFS trade show. Competition awards were given in seven different categories for the two school levels: case goods, chairs, class project, open, production/contract, reproduction and tables. Emerging artists discuss their inspiration for their projects, and challenges they encountered along the way, such as problems with veneering, excessive sanding and repeated attempts with lacquer and other finishing products. Also featured are essays and articles from industry professionals and educators. The 140-page hardcover sells for $29.95. Contact: AWFS, 500 Citadel Dr., Suite 200, Commerce, CA 90040. Tel: 323-838-9440. www.awfs.org
TABLES: OUTSTANDING PROJECTS FROM AMERICA'S BEST CRAFTSMEN, by Anthony Guidice, provides detailed and completely illustrated plans for building 10 classic tables, from historic pieces to contemporary styles. The table projects include a candle stand, end table, Shaker sewing table, half-round console table, hall table, cherry kitchen table and trestle table, all of which offer a variety of approaches and techniques and the opportunity to learn new skills and sharpen others. The forward covers table-building basics and explains the three most common table forms represented in the book: four-legged tables with aprons, trestle table and pedestal tables. The 170-page book sells for $24.95. Taunton Press, P.O. Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506. Tel: 800-888-8286. www.taunton.com
SPEED TOYS FOR BOYS, by Armand J. LaBerge, is a reprint of a classic woodworking guide, offering complete plans and instructions — many of which are simple enough for older children and teenagers to follow — for constructing pushmobiles, sleds, scooters and much more. The pages contain more than 50 timeless projects, each with a parts list and diagram. Speed Toys for Boys was originally published in 1928, a time when thousands of children participated annually in manual arts classes and pushmobile contests. The 96-page softcover sells for $12.95. Contact: Linden Publishing Inc., 2006 S. Mary, Fresno, CA 93721. Tel: 800-345-4447. www.woodworkerslibrary.com
