Mid-Century Modern Furniture: Shop Drawings & Techniques for Making 29 Projects
Product ID: 14688115
Minimalist design--maximum style! In the middle of the last century, a new generation of designers sought to render furniture to its most essential forms. In doing so, they created timeless designs that defined Mid-Century Modern Style. From the sleek geometric lines of Bauhaus-inspired design to the sculptural shapes of Danish masters, this furniture captured the imagination of the era and enjoys growing popularity today. Now for the first time, author Michael Crow has carefully detailed 29 seminal works by the era's foremost designers, including Hans Wenger, Finn Juhl and George Nelson. At their best, these spare, often sculptural designs transcend their period and are at home in a variety of settings. Each piece has been selected carefully so it can be built in an average workshop. Inside this book you'll find: More than 100 drawings with exploded views, elevations and details for projects to fit every room in your house. Practical advice on wood selection, hardware sources and contruction and finishing techniques. Two step-by-step project builds. A richly illustrated historical overview tracing the evolution of the style and exploring the designers and makers who shaped it. Review: Love the designs - The designs in this book are very good, and there are a lot of ways to take off from them and customize. The construction of the furniture is complicated enough to stretch my skills, but not so difficult as to be overwhelming. A very good book if your taste in furniture veers away from traditionalist. Review: Well Designed DIY Modern Furniture Collection - This is a very well thought-out treatise on recreating Mid-Century Modern furniture - it's a bit light on certain details but would make a good starting point for those with the desire to make their own recreations of some classics in modern design. I liked the introduction and historical points detailed in for each item, featured in its own chapter. I also liked the illustrations and general assembly techniques provided in the first couple of chapters which will transition the reader into using more modern joinery techniques using a router. There are a few points of accuracy that worry me a bit but they are mostly a quibble (the George Nelson Platform Bench has fasteners at the ends of each slat that are missing from the diagram and parts list, for instance) but the use of modern glues will probably overcome that detail for most practical purposes. As a suggestion, most if not all of these designs are available in various 3D files - if you have the time you can download them into SketchUp or similar (I like Fusion 360) where you can dissemble the parts, manipulate them (for instance if you want to make design mods or rescale) and then produce a cutlist using one of the freely available extensions. You can also apply various finishes to "test" the look before committing in stain or expensive lumber. Back to the book though - personally I think it's too advanced for a beginner and only offers the beginnings of what an intermediate woodworker would need to be successful. I think the order-of-assembly details are sparse, frankly, to most who haven't had experience in making furniture. But don't let that stop you from acquiring this book - it still is a good read and worth owning and for those who collect or own Mid Century Modern furniture it's a useful resource.
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,141,663 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #137 in Hand Tools (Books) #961 in Woodworking Projects (Books) #1,270 in Crafts & Hobbies Reference |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 131 Reviews |
C**1
Love the designs
The designs in this book are very good, and there are a lot of ways to take off from them and customize. The construction of the furniture is complicated enough to stretch my skills, but not so difficult as to be overwhelming. A very good book if your taste in furniture veers away from traditionalist.
J**N
Well Designed DIY Modern Furniture Collection
This is a very well thought-out treatise on recreating Mid-Century Modern furniture - it's a bit light on certain details but would make a good starting point for those with the desire to make their own recreations of some classics in modern design. I liked the introduction and historical points detailed in for each item, featured in its own chapter. I also liked the illustrations and general assembly techniques provided in the first couple of chapters which will transition the reader into using more modern joinery techniques using a router. There are a few points of accuracy that worry me a bit but they are mostly a quibble (the George Nelson Platform Bench has fasteners at the ends of each slat that are missing from the diagram and parts list, for instance) but the use of modern glues will probably overcome that detail for most practical purposes. As a suggestion, most if not all of these designs are available in various 3D files - if you have the time you can download them into SketchUp or similar (I like Fusion 360) where you can dissemble the parts, manipulate them (for instance if you want to make design mods or rescale) and then produce a cutlist using one of the freely available extensions. You can also apply various finishes to "test" the look before committing in stain or expensive lumber. Back to the book though - personally I think it's too advanced for a beginner and only offers the beginnings of what an intermediate woodworker would need to be successful. I think the order-of-assembly details are sparse, frankly, to most who haven't had experience in making furniture. But don't let that stop you from acquiring this book - it still is a good read and worth owning and for those who collect or own Mid Century Modern furniture it's a useful resource.
A**Y
Seriously well researched
In-depth, clear and extensive, with both historical overview and upwards of a dozen extremely followable plans. For $6 I would have been happy with a light brochure, but this is an honest to goodness reference book I'll reach for time and again. Easily worth $20-30. Off to buy the author's other books now.
A**6
There's way more interesting MC out there that is more complex and better looking and it'd be great to have a book ...
This is a well put together book but it's real value is for beginner woodworkers.I think for someone getting into woodworking and modern style, the detailed drawings and measurements are going to let you build the projects. For anyone that's already done a lot of furniture, I think you'll find the designs lacking. There's way more interesting MC out there that is more complex and better looking and it'd be great to have a book that covers that. I would give this book 4 stars if it included the word "introduction" in the title. But kudos to the author for taking the time to produce it.
N**T
Five Stars
Good background info and some interesting projects.
K**R
Lots of cool good looking projects
Lots of cool good looking projects, but as others have said, lacking in detail. I can't for the life of me see how the pulls on the bedroom dresser are supposed to work. Anyone have any idea?
M**N
fun projects and we'll written
Meet my expectations, fun projects and we'll written.
P**N
There appears tp be a typo on Page56, Cut ...
There appears tp be a typo on Page56, Cut list for Nelson Bench. The dimemsions for the sides for the frame base do not agree with the dimensions for the top and bottom.
H**R
Tolles Zeitdokument
Mögen Sie Möbel aus den 1950'er ? Dann sind sie hier richtig. Ein paar klassiker werden vorgestellt, inklusive Designer. zudem werden Pläne gezeigt mit denen man als versierter Holzwerker so manchen klassiker nachbauen kann. Achtung: Es sind pläne drin, kein "How-To" Mann muss also wissen wie man den Zapfen aussägt,fräst, oder mit den Stechbeitel bearbeitet. Es ist mehr ein DesignBuch als ein DIY Buch. Ich mochte es.
A**R
Helpful resource
Nice historical context section for each piece and excellent technical drawings
B**M
Some nice projects
I love this style of furniture and my husband loves woodworking so I'm hoping he's going to make some of the projects for the house. He seems pleased with the book.
K**E
Great
Great book
P**L
Detailed information for furniture makers.
Easy to read and follow book to build a classic mid century furniture piece.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
1 month ago