Frederick Litchfield created an enduring classic study of functional art with his Illustrated History of Furniture. This reprinting is presented out of a deep appreciation for the excellent scholarship and many illuminating insights that he so generously shared. The first chapter, which refers to Ancient Furniture and covers a period of several centuries, is introductory to those that follow, rather than a serious attempt to examine the history of the furniture during that space of time. The fourth chapter, which deals with a period of some hundred and fifty years, from the time of King James the First until that of Chippendale and his contemporaries, and the last three chapters, are more fully descriptive than some others, partly because trustworthy information to these times was more accessible, and partly because it is probable that English readers will feel greater interest in the furniture of which they are the subject. The French meubles de luxe, from the latter half of the seventeenth century until the Revolution, are also treated more fully than the furniture of other periods and countries, on account of the interest which has been manifested in this description of the cabinet maker's and metal mounter's work. Evidence of this appreciation may be found in the enormous prices realized at notable auction sales, when such furniture has been offered for competition to wealthy connoisseurs. Such furniture cannot be cheap certainly, but the real cost is sometimes borne by the artist who produces, rather than by the man who may happen to buy it. It is often forgotten that the price paid is that of the lives and sustenance of the workers and their families.

Olivier Gagnere appeared on the French design scene in the 1980s. Through his contact with the Memphis group of Ettore Sottsass in Milan, he developed his spirit of fantasy, great formal liberty, all with a touch of humour. In Japan, on the island of Kyushu, he immersed himself in the ancestral craftsmanship of the porcelain makers in the studios of Arita. He designed his earliest pieces of furniture for Artelano and Pierre Staudenmeyer's Galerie Neotu. He went on to collaborate with the Galerie Maeght to create works in Murano glass and with the Galerie Edition Limitee for works in earthenware. In 1994, his designs for the interior of the cafe Marly, in the Louvre, brought him great renown and have led to many collaborations with crystal works Saint-Louis, porcelain manufacturer Bernardaud, En attendant les Barbares... With Olivier Gagnere's artful mastery of every material, he is just as at ease working with porcelain as with iron, crystal, wood, leather or bronze. He blends simple and timeless forms with carefully sized volumes, in a range of bright contrasting colours. Steeped in the most classical traditions, he marks every one of his creations with a gesture, a demeanor that is a signature of his times. Text in English and French.

Brings together a superb collection of over 650 detailed examples English furniture and needlework from 1600 to 1760 These volumes are dedicated to one of the finest collections of early English furniture and needlework, formed by Percival D. Griffiths (1861-1937). Together with the noted authority, Robert W. Symonds, Griffiths assembled a pioneering collection of early English decorative arts: furniture, domestic needlework and related objects all dating to the seventeenth and first half of the eighteenth centuries. The book illustrates nearly 700 pieces owned by Griffiths and includes images of his interiors, and biographical data on Griffiths. Catalogue entries provide color images, exhibition histories, references, and provenance. These volumes present a wealth of new information that will aid both the amateur and connoisseur alike.

In Personalities, people open doors into their very personal immediate surroundings: their homes and spaces of creative work. As different as they are, what connects them is something very special: the USM modular furniture system.We set out on a journey into their lifeworlds and let them tell the stories behind the pieces of furniture-each one as individual as their owners. While the stories constitute the heart of Personalities, well-known specialist authors supplement the subject of "personality" with a psychological and sociological perspective.We take a trip into personality psychology, cast a glance in the direction of popular culture, and ultimately take a look at personality in the field of tension between having and being, between material culture and lifestyle.The diversity of those portrayed is reflected in the variety of the accompanying essays, which call attention to the facets around the concept of personality in an entertaining and unexpected way.

What makes a classic piece of furniture? Which living design is timelessly popular and always contemporary - and why? Aesthetic quality as a function of clarity of design, rigorous color and styling are just as important as the durability of high quality materials and perfect workmanship. And of course, if not more important - is the functionality of this furniture that is right from every standpoint. Masters & their Pieces - best of furniture design presents the milestones of style of furnishings and their creators: the bold design of the 1920s, the upswing of the economic miracle in the 1950s, the colorful trendy creations from the 1970s or the restrained designs of the new classics of today and beyond. The most important European furniture designers of the 20th and 21th centuries and their most significant works are prominently displayed.

In this unique 2-volume, 800-page book with more than 2,500 images, Marilyn Neuhart tells the story, to paraphrase Charles Eames himself, of how Eames furniture got to be the way it is.

Die sehr reich bebilderte Publikation zur Sammlung des Broehan-Museums, das 1973 von dem Sammler und Unternehmer Karl H. Broehan (1921-2000) gegrundet wurde, gibt einen UEberblick uber die wichtigsten designhistorischen Stroemungen zwischen 1890 und 1940. Vom franzoesischen Art Nouveau und dem englischen Arts and Crafts Movement uber den Jugendstil und die deutsche Werkstattenbewegung, die Wiener Moderne und den internationalen Art Deco bis zur funktionalistischen Gestaltung der 1930er-Jahre wird anhand von 100 Objekten oder Objektpaaren lebendige Kunst- und Sammlungsgeschichte vermittelt. Ein eigener Abschnitt ist den Kunstlerinnen und Kunstlern der Berliner Secession gewidmet. Ein Muss fur Fans von Jugendstil, Art Deco und funktionalistischem Design!

In 1986, Pierre Mazairac and Karel Boonzaaijer design 'Vision', starting from the philosophy of creating a cabinet as an element of architectural composition. Due to its incredible flexibility, versatility and very modest design, 'Vision' has been very successful for the Dutch manufacturer Pastoe. Twenty-five years later, its compositional scope is still limitless; from a three-dimensional relief design to a graphical lattice of lines and surfaces, from a series of sideboards to an architectural landscape of volumes. The book 'Vision: Space for Imagination' tells the story of this young classic.

The five countries known collectively as Scandinavia were the source of some of the most important furniture designs of the twentieth century and the influential concept of "Scandinavian modern." Today, a new generation of designers continues the tradition, creating pieces that are functional, comfortable, and appealing to look at. This book-the first American summary of modern design in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden in more than two decades-updates the history of design in the Nordic nations and illustrates in full color more than five hundred of the best current furniture from over seventy producers. The Sourcebook also includes detailed product specifications and sources, biographies of important Nordic designers, and a helpful bibliography. It is an invaluable reference for everyone who loves modern furniture, and is an essential tool for interior designers, architects, collectors, and students with a special interest in Scandinavian design. CD-ROM included: easy-to-use screen resolution files of all the illustrations for use on Mac or PC.

For many centuries, chests were the only items of storage furniture to be found in the Greek home. Highly valued as a functional item, their connection with a wide range of everyday events and the most important stations in a person's life (birth, marriage and death) gave the chest, from a very early date, a profound, symbolic meaning in the imagination of the Greek people. The important functional role of the chest is apparent in its decoration, which generally reflects beliefs and faith. These beliefs differ from place to place, and this can be seen in the different manner of decoration, which may also depend on general historic and social circumstances and events, as well as the artistic tradition of the region. Drawing on rich seams of Greek folklore and the fruits of many years of field research in every corner of Greece, the book offers an in-depth interpretation of the wealth of decoration found on chests. Preface by Angelos Delivorrias, Director of the Benaki Museum; Foreword by Ioanna Papantoniou, President of the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation. Over 500 colour illustrations.

The comprehensive guide to furniture design-- expanded and updated

Furniture designers draw on a range of knowledge and disciplines to create their work. From history to theory to technology, "Furniture Design" offers a comprehensive survey of the essential craft- and practice-related aspects of furniture design.

Generously illustrated with photographs and drawings--including a new color section--this "Second Edition" features updated coverage of material specifications, green design, digital design, and fabrication technologies. It also features twenty-five case studies of furniture design that represent a broad selection of works, designers, and techniques, including recent designs produced within the last decade.

The book explores: Furniture function and social useForm, spatial organization, and typological ordersStructural integrity and compositionAccessibility, universal design, human factors, and ergonomicsThe design process, from schematics through fabricationMaterials, processes, and methods of fabricationProfessional practice and marketingThe history of furniture design, from prehistory to the digital age

Complete with a glossary of terms and a comprehensive bibliography, "Furniture Design, Second Edition" is a one-stop resource that furniture designers will turn to regularly for the advice, guidance, and information needed to perform their craft.

Learn to sew your own stunning lampshades using this comprehensive step-by-step guide from the founder of the Traditional Upholstery School, Joanna Heptinstall. The book contains 18 fully illustrated step-by-step projects, featuring tailored, pleated, faux-pleated and loose-cover designs. Each technique is covered in detail, from measuring your fabric, choosing a frame shape, calculating your seams, creating a shade, adding trims and choosing a stand. The projects require few specialist tools, can be easily customised to suit your home decor, and cover a range of styles, sizes and fabrics. The book is bursting with inspirational images, along with tips and tricks of the trade that Joanna has acquired over her successful career in upholstery.

In Furniture with Soul, author David Savage explores the philosophies, careers, and pivotal moments of struggle and inspiration for today's most talented and influential woodworkers. He traveled throughout the U.S. and Britain to interview these renowned artists, including John Makepeace, John Cederquist, Jack Larimore, Judy Kensley McKie, Michael Hurwitz, Tom Hucker, Rupert Williamson, Gary Knox Bennett, and Peter Danko. With a telling eye and refreshing intimacy, he reveals their thinking, creative processes, and rise to prominence. He takes the reader into their workshops and their hearts. Savage seeks to illuminate the soul of the artists' work, and the influences and experiences that shaped them.

Over 200 photos plus insightful essays from a variety of perspectives celebrate the chair-the centerpiece of furniture arts over the course of American furniture making-in this inspiring showcase of 45 works from 39 artists. These chairs, benches, and stools are sculptural, conceptual, functional (and occasionally dysfunctional) seating, reflecting the dramatic latest evolution since the storied history of chairmaking in Philadelphia. Statements by each of the artists offer their sources of inspiration and creativity. The chairs, set against the backdrop of the world's mass-production and petroleum-based materials, stand as a beacon to the vitality and critical importance of independent artisans and designers in raising the bar of excellence in the built world. A one-of-a-kind history of Philadelphia chair design, with full-page images of 40 historic chairs, is also featured. Compiled by Joshua Lane, the Lois F. and Henry S. McNeil Curator of Furniture, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, it details their evolution and makers, and their significance in furniture history.