Wood® Magazine: Arts and Crafts Furniture

It was actually my adult daughter who bought this magazine for her father for his birthday. She mentioned that she loved it very much and that she saw many projects she would like to undertake with her father. He is supposed to receive the magazine today for his birthday, so we'll see how he is looking at it. Sorry, I can't add any link to this review, as my husband doens't have his present yet, nor has he had a chance to make a project. Though we are convinced, that he too will enjoy it very much. Anyway, my daughter and I found it to be quite educational, well presented, and are looking forward to seeing some created results. The descriptions on how to make the furniture is so clear that anybody could follow them. Great job in putting this magazine together. Thanks!

Although many of the plans in this book are largely derived from Wood Magazine articles (I compared the Morris chair plans), I really appreciate two things they've done to enhance the original articles: 1. The book includes jigs such as a table saw tenon jig that makes it much easier to make Arts and Crafts furniture (with so many mortise and tenon joints). I built this jig before starting the Morris chair and it works well. 2. The combination of the multi-issue plans such as the Morris chair and its companion ottoman and coffee table. While the words are the same, they've reformatted them along with the pictures so it looks like a book rather than a reprint of old articles. My only quibble is that they didn't use a lay-flat binding, so I have to put something on top of the open page or use a book holder to keep it open. With lay-flat bindings being readily available (e.g., O'Reilly books are a good example), I don't see why they don't use them for project books like this one.

I have a collection of Arts and Craft furniture books. Most of them good and some not. This one belongs to the latter category. Good. The plans are straightforward, there is no BS or waste of time /'filler' pages. I specially liked the cutting tables which are precise and very time saving. So far I have build the lantern and the clock. The projects were challenging because you have to cut some pieces to quarter of an inch. The tenoning jig mentioned in this chapter is detailed and cumbersome. I decided not to build it.I find that a simple router tenoning jig does a better job. This should be a must have book in your collection. MK

I have built several pieces of furniture using the plans and descriptions in this book. Not only good plans but useful tips in each chapter. The interpretation of the Arts and Crafts style fits in well with the purchased pieces we outfitted our mountain cabin with.

if you are into furniture very informative, nice reference

I'm very pleased with this book. The projects look good: challenging but not impossible. Illustrations are plentiful and appropriate. Finally, the book is well assembled with high quality paper. It should hold up well to the possible abuses it will encounter in the shop.

I have trusted Wood magazine in the past to teach me lots about woodworking so I find writing this review disparaging. While all the plans are beautiful and well laid out there is one glaring omission. Most of the plans call for 1 1/16" stock which, to my knowledge, is not produced. I can't even find anything referencing it on the internet. Yes I could glue up 3/4 stock, resaw it, and sand it to thickness but that is too time consuming and wasteful. Most likely I will adapt these plans to use 4/4 and 3/4 stock as best I can. That being said. the designs are still representative of the arts and crafts movement and well worth a read for inspiration if nothing else.

My son-in-law was very excited to receive this book as a Christmas gift. He had previously checked it out from the library several times so he could complete a project that he was making. He was very happy that he now owned the book. The rocking chair came out very well and he can't wait to work on other projects from this book.

Nice book very informative. Really quick delivery excellent service. Recommended

This is a typical WOOD magazine product - well done, with great photos, step-by-step how-to instructions, and detailed plans for every step. It begins with a discussion/history of the Arts and Crafts style, then deals with the how-to of joinery for Arts and Crafts furniture, including the making of useful jigs, how to make snug mortise and tenon joints, and the use of chisels. Then it moves into finishing the furniture, including how to make the grain "pop", the how-to of dyes and hard finishes,, and making hardware. The rest of the chapters are organized for each room in the home, with plans and detailed instructions for a variety of furniture: chairs, coffee tables, sofas, rockers; dining tables and chairs; and beds and night-stands. The last chapters discuss "accessories" for the home, like lamps, coat trees, nesting tables, clock and sconces;. Finally, there is a chapter on "making over" your home into the Arts and Crafts style. This is a good book, and it arrived quickly with no fuss. Plans are complete and easy to follow, with all dimensions and step-by-step instructions clearly laid out. A good purchase for the amateur furniture maker. I would have liked to see a bit more variety in some of the major picees: ie - 2-3 different beds, or a couple of other living-dining room pieces, like sideboards or dry sinks , maybe a desk or two, etc. But, it's still a good book to have.

Great insight into the arts & crafts movement