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Rating: 
Summary: When Form Follows Function
Review: For some inexplicable reason my mind sees a parallel between Japanese furniture craftsmanship of the past 1000 years or so and the work coming out of the Arts & Crafts Movement the flourished between 1870 and 1920 in Europe and the USA. Despite the fact that I know full well that they differ in many core esthetic principles. Perhaps it is the preference for simple, geometric lines and grace, or the emphasis on workmanship rather than decoration, or the desire to create beauty in the simplest of things. But there is a connection, and as someone who has become focused on redesigning a home, that connection is all that is needed.Paul Kemner and Peggy Zdila have written a book designs to satisfy both those interested in the Movement itself, and those who would just as soon be a-building. The first half of this beautifully made paperback discusses the influences of William Morris and Gustav Stickley, both as philosophers, designers, and craftsmen. Full of photographs of some fine representative pieces and quotes. From that point the discussion shifts to the means - tools, techniques, and materials. Last is some 25 projects, large and small, that are opportunities to discover what it is all about first hand. The writing style is patient and clear. Unfortunately, neither writer is the sort to spellbind a reader. While I found the discussion useful and worthwhile, Kemner and Zdila never quite breathe life into the more esoteric parts of the discussion. As another review has pointed out, the plans are well done, but one must read them thoroughly in order to avoid discovering too late that something got left out of the bill of materials. For the most part, though, all the information needed is present. A designer with a sense of humor once remarked that more people are interesting in movement Arts & Crafts since its revival than ever were during its heyday. I like to think that this has as much to do with the values expressed by the movement as much as it does with the satisfactions of its beauty. Whatever the reason, this is a fine volume to start up a lasting interest.
Rating:
Summary: When Form Follows Function
Review: For some inexplicable reason my mind sees a parallel between Japanese furniture craftsmanship of the past 1000 years or so and the work coming out of the Arts & Crafts Movement the flourished between 1870 and 1920 in Europe and the USA. Despite the fact that I know full well that they differ in many core esthetic principles. Perhaps it is the preference for simple, geometric lines and grace, or the emphasis on workmanship rather than decoration, or the desire to create beauty in the simplest of things. But there is a connection, and as someone who has become focused on redesigning a home, that connection is all that is needed. Paul Kemner and Peggy Zdila have written a book designs to satisfy both those interested in the Movement itself, and those who would just as soon be a-building. The first half of this beautifully made paperback discusses the influences of William Morris and Gustav Stickley, both as philosophers, designers, and craftsmen. Full of photographs of some fine representative pieces and quotes. From that point the discussion shifts to the means - tools, techniques, and materials. Last is some 25 projects, large and small, that are opportunities to discover what it is all about first hand. The writing style is patient and clear. Unfortunately, neither writer is the sort to spellbind a reader. While I found the discussion useful and worthwhile, Kemner and Zdila never quite breathe life into the more esoteric parts of the discussion. As another review has pointed out, the plans are well done, but one must read them thoroughly in order to avoid discovering too late that something got left out of the bill of materials. For the most part, though, all the information needed is present. A designer with a sense of humor once remarked that more people are interesting in movement Arts & Crafts since its revival than ever were during its heyday. I like to think that this has as much to do with the values expressed by the movement as much as it does with the satisfactions of its beauty. Whatever the reason, this is a fine volume to start up a lasting interest.
Rating: 
Summary: Useful but flawed
Review: I am currently working on the bookcase that the previous reviewer had so much trouble with. I couldn't agree more--the "top back" piece is missing entirely from the cut list and the description, with no indication on how it was joined. The drawing is inconsistent with the cut list. Nothing wrong with this, so long as you treat the book as a guide and inspiration rather than a detailed step-by-step manual. Problem is, it pretends to be the latter rather than the former. You wind up having to double-check the author's work and thinking out the design before making any cuts. I've built several other pieces from the book with no trouble--it may be that the defects in this book are limited to the bookcase. It's too bad--the bookcase is the best looking project in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, good plans.
Review: I've finished three projects from this book without buying the additional plans and all have come out well. I have not tried the bookcase that one reviewer had difficulty with. While the plans in the book aren't super detailed, they are sufficient for someone like me (basically a novice) to be able to figure things out as I go. In any event, the plans are more detailed than most other books I've seen on the market. Most importantly, the furniture is well designed and, if you like the style, beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: 25 Plans? Not really!
Review: If you want several nice pictures of some reproductions of Craftsman-style furniture furniture for $20, buy this book. DON'T expect to find good information useful for building your own reproductions! When first reading this book, I started noticing that such things as the sizes and locations of mortises and tenons were missing. then I read on the inside of the back cover that I could contact the author for "detailed plans." In other words, this is really a $20 catalog for purchasing useful plans! Then I decided that I might be able to get useful informatation in spite of the ommisions, and I carefuly analyzed the plans for a double-door bookcase. I found that pieces were missing from the parts list, and that pieces were mis-measured! The plans are a disaster, and don't seem to correspond to either the photo or the parts list. For instance: The parts list lists quantities and measurements for one-piece shelves that are longer than the entire width of the bookcase, while the plans show two-piece shelves with a divider (which is how the authentic Stickley piece was made). The divider is not described in the text or the parts list. The back of the top is not described nor measured. And on, and on, and on. If you really intend to build something, this book will only make you angry. LAST THOUGHT: Mr. Kenmer must know something about woodworking to have constructed these very attractive pieces. Somewhere between his shop and the printing press disaster struck.
Rating:
Summary: how good are you at reading text and plans?
Review: If you're competent to read and follow instructions, I think you'll enjoy using this book! I don't think anyone should be using sharp tools if they can't follow instructions! I have successfully completed several projects in this book and read through the rest of them. On the bookcase plan that the previous reviewer was commenting about, it looks to me like the piece called Top Back got left off of the materials list. But it is clearly shown in the photos, and dimensions are given in the drawings. It is also mentioned in the text directions. I regard a materials list as a "shopping list." It is a guide, not a final check before I cut my wood! Also, I have another comment about a previous review. I know someone with an antique Stickley bookcase just like the one in the plan in this book. It's obvious it never had a partition between the 2 halves. Many woodworking books have errors, even the touted Bavarro and Mossman one has a serious problem with the grandfather clock plan. I like the way this one is written, though, and I'm looking forward to building more projects from Building Arts and Crafts Furniture, including that bookcase.
Rating:
Summary: Nice book, Great Photos
Review: This book was a gift for Christmas...I'd been looking for Morris Chair plans for a while and this one offers four (one base unit and variations on the plans.) The materials list for the Panel Side Morris chair were good, however, on the "leg pieces" I think the dimensions are switched. It states 28" x 1 1/4" x 2 1/4"...I think it should be 28" x 2 1/4" x 1 1/4". Otherwise the directions and dimensions are great. The photos are are really nice and I can't wait to start on the settle piece.
Rating:
Summary: Nice book, Great Photos
Review: This book was a gift for Christmas...I'd been looking for Morris Chair plans for a while and this one offers four (one base unit and variations on the plans.) The materials list for the Panel Side Morris chair were good, however, on the "leg pieces" I think the dimensions are switched. It states 28" x 1 1/4" x 2 1/4"...I think it should be 28" x 2 1/4" x 1 1/4". Otherwise the directions and dimensions are great. The photos are are really nice and I can't wait to start on the settle piece.
Rating:
Summary: great for those that want to DO IT rather than just SEE IT
Review: This is a great book that explains all a woodworker needs to know about constructing art & crafts or mission furniture....the plans included in the book are worth the purchase price as this book will take you through several popular projects....no need to buy others' plans...it's all right here with beautiful color photes and diagrams on construction....this should be the first book in the woodworkers' library for constructing mission furniture....the second being the popular mechanics "how to make mission furniture" (or similar title) so that you can see 100s of mission style examples/pieces....
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