Architectural Birdhouses: If you can build a box, you can build a great birdhouse using the simple instructions contained in this book. You start with a Basic Box, add a few shapes, alter a few features, embellish a surface or two, then add some of your own creative juices and you have a recipe for success.The key is using handmade and off-the-shelf items in unusual ways, coupled with unique painting techniques. In addition to building birdhouses, you will find useful information about how to attract birds, mounting your birdhouse, security, maintenance and other functional aspects, including a special chapter on outdoor and indoor display. Building birdhouses, the Basic Box way, can be fun for the whole family - a great way to share an experience and an opportunity to teach youngsters how to handle and respect tools. So let's get started!

"...birds...will be singing about Stender's designs. He has created plans for a number of birdhouses that replicate famous buildings or architectural styles...a Gothic cathedral, the Chrysler building, and an Arts and Crafts bungalow...These...are also practical, with hinged openings for cleaning and appropriate dimensions for specific species...clear instructions supplemented by numerous color photos; these designs are within the abilities of most woodworkers. Every public library should consider this title."--Library Journal.

Few woodworking projects are as popular and easy as building a birdhouse--and with just a dollop of creativity, plus this book, it’s simple to turn it into an amazing avian architectural wonder. Architect and commercial birdhouse builder Richard Banks reveals his savvy streamlined techniques for efficiently constructing a basic house, and then applying ingeniously doable methods for transforming its identity. All it takes are embellishments made of common off-the-shelf, home-store items: a touch of trim, a dab of dowel, a flourish of finial, and...presto! The birds can move right into a classic Victorian, exotic Casbah, A-frame cedar chalet, or bright bold blue home. The 20 projects also include techniques for special finishes such as stenciling and decoupage, along with informative sidebars.

Birds will flock to these birdhouses and feeders you build based on major architectural styles and world-famous buildings, from a New England-style saltbox to the Chrysler Building. Some basic woodworking tools are all you need to make them, and every step of the construction process is well-illustrated, with more than 200 photographs and 50 drawings.