This title shows woodworkers how to create elegant furniture from start to finish. There are guidelines for choosing woods and veneers, and detailed construction plans. Projects include an 18th century-style hanging cupboard and a marble-top art deco table.

A manual on how to build solid wood furniture. Through the author's step-by-step instruction on eleven projects, the basics of furniture design, construction, and finishing are introduced. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Even those with no woodworking experience at all can experience the satisfaction of making beautiful furniture--right away. The secret lies in modern-day power tools, which allow anyone to produce first-class results without years of practice. And this superbly illustrated and easy-to-follow guide shows novices the way to success. It contains all the information necessary to a fundamental understanding of the craft, including essential descriptions of wood’s characteristics, explanations of the basic principles of furniture construction, and guidance on all the necessary techniques. Buying lumber, planing, jointing, gluing, and using the tablesaw, bandsaw, routers, and drills: it’s all here. For every one of the projects--which include a chest of drawers, bookcase, and end table--each procedure is shown in fine detail.

Back by popular demand, these classic woodworking titles from Fine Woodworking magazine are filled with first-rate information that is as timeless now as it was when first published. To many craftsmen and collectors, the 18th century was the golden age of American furniture design. In this collection of 37 articles from Fine Woodworking magazine, expert woodworkers explore the designs and techniques involved in making the furniture of this era. They share precise plans for favorite old desks, secretaries, and blockfronts, with technical explanations of how to reproduce such fine details as ball-and-claw feet and tapered reeds. There are also practical design discussions for those who wish to capture the flavor of that time in original designs of their own. Since it began publication in 1975, Fine Woodworking has written about practically every aspect of the craft. The "Fine Woodworking on..." series organizes many of the articles from the magazine into individual volumes by subject. Each book in this series offers and in-depth look at a particular aspect of woodworking, from the perspective of skilled professional and dedicated amateur woodworkers.

"An important book, brimming with insight."—Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer A master craftsperson explores the ways in which working with our hands reveals the essence of both our humanity and our relationship with the natural, material world In our present age of computer-assisted design, mass production and machine precision, the traditional skills of the maker or craftsperson are hard to find. Yet the desire for well-made and beautiful objects from the hands (and mind) of a skilled artisan is just as present today as it ever has been. Whether the medium they work with is wood, metal, clay or something else, traditional makers are living links to the rich vein of knowledge and skills that defines our common human heritage. More than this, though, many of us harbor a deep and secret yearning to produce something – to build or shape, to imagine and create our own objects that are imbued not only with beauty and functionality, but with a story and, in essence, a spirit drawn from us. Nick Kary understands this yearning. For nearly four decades he has worked on commission to make fine, distinctive furniture and cabinets from wood, most of it sourced near his home, in the counties of South West England. During this time, he has been both a teacher and a student; one who is fascinated with the philosophy and practice of craft work of all kinds. In Material, Kary takes readers along with him to visit some of the places where modern artisans are preserving, and in some cases passing on, the old craft skills. His vivid descriptions and eye for detail make this book a rich and delightful read, and the natural and cultural history he imparts along the way provides an important context for understanding our own past and the roots of our industrial society. Personal, engaging, and filled with memorable people, landscapes and scenes, Material is a rich celebration of what it means to imagine and create, which in the end is the essence of being human, and native to a place. As Kary puts it, “Wood and words, trees and people, material and ethereal – it is here I love increasingly to dwell.” Perfect for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees or Norwegian Wood, Material is a rich, inspiring read for woodworkers, potters, craftspeople, bibliophiles and anyone who enjoys working with their hands.

Woodworkers use these books as a source of inspiration and project ideas. Interior designers and architects use them as a means to keep up with the latest trends in furniture design. The series has been published since 1977, to date, seven Design Books have been published, the last in 1996. The series is being expanded in response to reader requests. Past design books were basically a catalogue of woodworking projects selected by a panel of experts. "Design Book Eight" will depart from that tradition by featuring fewer examples, but offering design talk about each piece as well as detail shots. The book is organized by class of furniture: Tables, Chairs, Desks, Cabinets, Book cases, Home Entertainment Furniture, Beds and Bureaus.

In this indispensable new guide to the basic principles of furniture making David Charlesworth reinforces his status as a dedicated commentator and teacher of the craft. This book is an ideal workshop accessory, with easy to follow instruction on the use of hand tools and how to build confidence and creativity with new, or maybe just rusty, techniques. Designed to encourage the complete beginner and challenge the student or keen amateur, all woodworkers will glean inspiration from the sound knowledge and advice within these pages. The book is suitable for all levels and abilities and includes tips & techniques on how to get the best from hand tools.