Book Description
Make authentic reproductions of handsome, functional, durable furniture: tables, chairs, wall cabinets, desks, hall tree, more. Construction plans with drawings, schematics, dimensions, and lumber specs reprinted from 1900s The Craftsman magazine.
Customer Reviews:
making authentic craftsman furniture.......2007-05-07
interesting reading but it wasn't what i was looking for. nobody's fault im still keeping the book because i may just get an idea from that book later on
Easy woodworking patterns........2005-09-06
This book turned out to be even better than I'd hoped. I can't wait to get started building some of the pieces. Easy to read and understand the diagrams. Condition of the book was great, and I've read it over and over as I plan the remodeling of my "new" old house.
Great shop guide and overview.......2005-08-04
This is a great book for someone with shop skills and tools. The book shows a good variety of furniture most likely to be of interest to a person building furniture for their own home (or perhaps a gift!).
Great Book of Plans.......2003-08-05
This book is a great "helper" for those who make Stickley inspired furniture. It has nominal dimensions for most pieces, which is a plus in helping with getting the proportions correct as well as milling lists for the projects. If you are looking for a "how-to" or complete plans you are in the wrong place. The illustrations in the book are straight from the original "The Craftsman" series.
Save your money.......2003-02-03
The 62 proects are only a small picture of each final project with couple of drafted views of how the piece of furniture looks from different views. There is a parts list of materials needed, but no help in how to construct the furniture whatsoever. Any magazine or anything else out there has to be better than this. Everyone else has far over rated the book. Instead, subscribe to a good magazine like Popular Woodworking or something like that.
Book Description
Gustav Stickley's own compilation of the best of his designs.
Customer Reviews:
Original Work.......2007-07-29
Please understand that the author of this book, Gustav Stickley, is founder of the original Arts and Crafts movement which evolved to American Crafstman in the United States in the early part of the 20th century. This book is in fact the original work from that time period, so is dated in its composition, but, of course, an historically significant piece of literature.
An OK Read.......2007-04-10
This book has very poor sructural building plans. It informs of the classic arts and craftsman period and how it effected design. It did not inspire nor reveal any proceedure's on how certain designs were accomplished.
There are better Craftsman Books.......2007-01-16
I was dissappointed in the poor illustrations and lack of depth on the topic.
Beautiful houses, great interior ideas.......2001-03-28
This is a reprint of a house plan catalog from 1909. These books are actually exact reprints of original plan books from the turn of the century (1880-1925, roughly). Dover adds little or no modern explanations, just presenting the catalog as it was. So when one looks to review these books, one isn't really judging the modern-day publisher, or editing, or writing. The only modern element is the accuracy of reproduction- in some cases, if pages in the originals that Dover found are damaged or torn, that page is reproduced in the original with the tear, smudge, blot, or hole showing. So to judge the books, one has to compare each one to others of its kind, and then to decide whether the material in it is thorough and complete according to the standards of its time. Since there are several dozen of these catalogs published by Dover, we have the basis for such a comparison.
Stickley and the Craftsman school of design are well known. Many people own bungalows, or admire them even if they don't own them. What getting a book such as this does, is give a person insight into the details of the lifestyle of the time, of the philosophy of the architects/designers, and so on.
This particular book is one of my favorites. As with other Stickley catalogs, it includes several essays. The first one is "The Simplification of Life: A Chapter from Edward Carpenter's book called 'England's Ideal'". This essay resonates today, with people who are looking to get away from some of the modern excesses of possessions and displays of wealth, to a simpler life. There is also a review of another book, with quotes from it: "The Art of Building a Home" by Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin.
One of the features of this catalog is that along with the exterior view and floor plan of every house, there is an extensive written description. For many of the houses there are drawings of the interior, with suggestions for furnishings. There are also examples of what types of light fixtures one might use. The written descriptions, in some cases, even include alternate ways to finish the house to save money or to adapt it to a particular type of location. Most of the illustrations are drawings/paintings; there are a few photographs, but not many. The drawings of the interiors include wallpapers and curtains. One illustration even shows a Craftsman piano! There are some concrete/cement houses, including ones mixing concrete with wood construction.
There are a few houses in the book without indoor bathrooms, which is not unusual for the period, but most have a full bath, and some have two bathrooms. Almost all have extensive built-ins: sideboards, bookcases, benches and settles, shelves. There are illustrations of the kitchens; while built-in kitchen cabinets as we know them now were not common at the time, these illustrations show kitchens furnished with the cabinets and tables that were common, and show the placement of stoves, water heaters, etc. There are also some wonderful examples of inlaid decorative wood flooring, and large sections on Craftsman furniture, metal work, and fabrics and needlework.
One of my favorite things in the whole book is "Two Inexpensive but Charming Cottages for Women Who Want Their Own Homes." It's difficult for us to imagine now, how radical an idea that was - that women might want to own their own homes without necessarily getting married. Recognizing that even if she works, a woman's income at that time would be significantly less than a man's, Stickley designs these homes to be economically built. He describes how two or three single women might manage to share such a home, making it more affordable. Very forward-thinking for the time!
In sum: this is more than just a plan book; the only bad point is that if this is your first exposure to plan books, then the subsequent ones you read will seem plain and lacking by comparison. Definitely should be in the collection of anyone interested in turn-of-the-century architecture or restoring houses.
Another good reference..........2000-04-11
This book assisted us in the redesign of our home in the craftsman tradition. A good reference for us to formulate our ideas, and for our architects to see what we liked. Worth the price
Book Description
594 illustrations, including 277 photos, of authentic, prized, Craftsman furniture as shown in two catalogs — circa 1910 — by foremost manufacturers. Numerous settles, rockers, armchairs, bookcases, plus many other kinds of pieces. Captions.
Customer Reviews:
An interesting pictorial with useful text.......1999-01-05
This fine book, actually a union of two sources, Gustav Stickley's catalog and the Stickley brothers' undated catalogue, also contains some interesting text from both sources.
The pictures, although small, are faithfully reproduced from the original catalogues, and can be used to more fully understand the general concepts of the Arts and Crafts style of furniture. Enough items are represented to be able to design similar items on your own.
Book Description
Best and most attractive designs from Arts and Crafts Movement publication — 1903–1916 — includes sketches, photographs of homes, floor plans, descriptive text.
Customer Reviews:
Enlightening and enjoyable!.......2001-09-05
This book, aside from the introduction, is comprised of reprints of articles, with photos and blueprints, on bungalows originally featured in the magazine "The Craftsman" from 1903 through 1916. Although only a couple of the homes described therein were actually designed by Stickley, the whole book was a delight. In their day, the cost to build these homes ranged from $2000 to a whopping $4000! The homes are from a simpler time, when closets were tiny and bathrooms were few, but the woodwork and stonework are inspiring. Important features of these homes include use of materials indigenous to the area so the home harmonizes with its surroundings, living porches, sleeping porches, fireplaces, and open floorplans. Not only is this book a delightful trip through the history of this style of home, it is also quite educational and contains many timeless ideas which would could be incorporated beautifully into today's homes as well.
Craftsman Bungalows : 59 Homes from the Craftsman by Gustav.......2001-06-14
As a Professional Interior Designer enamoured with Craftsman style homes I use this book as a resource almost daily. It provides inspiration for details that give period charm yet are very practical in todays interiors. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to organize and unclutter their home and add charm and create value while doing so. Craftsman details have roots in Asian and Shaker periods when life was less cluttered. The built-in millwork allows us to conceal the electronics required in this day and age and provide us with a more peaceful view of life.
Good Reference.........2000-04-11
This was a good reference for those looking to restore their Arts & Crafts, or Craftsman style home. We utilized this book to assist our architect in the design and final detailed drawings. It was worth the price.
Great reference for preservationists.......1997-06-12
This is a great reference for preservationists attempting to restore or furnish a home in the bungalow style. Architects may also find it to be an interesting reference. The volume includes original floor plans and photos of homes designed in the workshop of Stickley and included in his Craftsman magazine. The original commentary on the houses is quite interesting -- if not amusing -- providing information on the social context of the houses design. The various photos and descriptions of houses from the era are excellent resources for anyone furnishing a Craftsman home or bungalow
Book Description
Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) founded his own design company, Craftsman Workshops, with his brother in upstate New York in 1898. The company was highly successful through the 1920s and eventually became a national enterprise with retail stores in New York, Boston, and Washington, DC. Although influenced by the British Arts and Crafts movement and Continental Art Nouveau, Stickley advocated the creation of a distinctive American style that would integrate furnishings, architecture, handicrafts, and principles of harmonious living; he believed that well-designed furnishings could help "make life better and truer by its perfect simplicity." This book is a critical study of Stickley's life and enterprise. It focuses on his furniture making, drawing from primary research, interviews, and correspondence to describe both how Stickley approached his craft throughout the arc of his career, and what makes the individual pieces distinguished and valuable. Separate chapters are included on Stickley's most important collaborator, Harvey Ellis; on his business venture in New York City; and on his utopian family homestead in rural New Jersey, Craftsman Farm. Rare archival photographs, advertisements and pages from early catalogues and "The Craftsman" magazine, family snapshots, and extensive archival and new photographs of Stickley furniture, metalwork, and decorative objects provide a rich visual context. At the pinnacle of his career, Stickley was a nationally known maker of furniture, metalwork, and textiles; he was also a successful retailer, the publisher of an influential monthly journal called "The Craftsman", and an advocate for affordable, bungalow-style "Craftsman" houses who sold house plans through his magazine and store. Many of his furniture designs became icons of American decorative arts; among the classic pieces illustrated with specially commissioned colour photographs in this book are his Morris chair, fall-front desks, various settles, leaded-glass lanterns, 510 bookcase, and 967 sideboard. Such pieces are now coveted by collectors, and Stickley's successor firm, the Stickley Furniture Company, is producing reissues of his designs. As revealed in this book, Stickley was not a solitary purveyor of the American Arts and Crafts aesthetic but more broadly a representative figure in American business history, an early proponent of what we now call branding and lifestyle. "The Craftsman" magazine (published from 1903 to 1918) and the numerous furniture catalogues he issued on a regular basis functioned as effective advertising, helping not only to establish the company's name but also to shape public opinion about the value of design. Stickley's business ventures dovetailed well with the revival of traditional handicrafts that was gaining momentum in the United States and Britain around the turn of the century. One of the central aims of this book is to identify the creative individuals - artists, craftsmen, architects, writers, editors, and illustrators - who worked with Stickley and to give them the recognition they deserve; biographies of 17 collaborators are collected in an appendix. The book also includes a chronology of Stickley's life and career, a visual chronology of the evolution of the fall-front desk, and a complete bibliography.
Customer Reviews:
A must have for any Gustav Stickley collector.......2004-04-13
I am usually the kind of buyer that likes a lot of illustrations in a book to keep my interest. While the author includes many quality photos in this book his detailed knowledge of Gustav Stickley was more than enough to keep me interested. David Cathers has done his research well and gives a very detailed history of this great American craftsman. Even readers not familiar with this Gustav Stickley or the Arts & Crafts movement will find this book easy to read and understand. Overall a must have companion to David Cathers earlier "Stickley Style" which happens to be loaded with beautiful illustrations.
Book Description
Stickley pioneered an architecture based on beauty, simplicity, utility, and organic harmony. His approach came to be known as the Mission style. Complete plans for 78 authentic Mission-style dwellings are reprinted here from an original 1912 publication with over 300 black-and-white illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
beautiful plans, lots of detail.......2001-03-28
This is a reprint of a house plan catalog from 1912. These books are actually exact reprints of original plan books from the turn of the century (1880-1925, roughly). Dover adds little or no modern explanations, just presenting the catalog as it was. So when one looks to review these books, one isn't really judging the modern-day publisher, or editing, or writing. The only modern element is the accuracy of reproduction- in some cases, if pages in the originals that Dover found are damaged or torn, that page is reproduced in the original with the tear, smudge, blot, or hole showing. So to judge the books, one has to compare each one to others of its kind, and then to decide whether the material in it is thorough and complete according to the standards of its time. Since there are several dozen of these catalogs published by Dover, we have the basis for such a comparison.
Stickley and the Craftsman school of design are well known. Many people own bungalows, or admire them even if they don't own them. What getting a book such as this does, is give a person insight into the details of the lifestyle of the time, of the philosophy of the architects/designers, and so on.
This particular plan book is one of my favorites. It includes an introductory essay by Stickley, an essay on "The Relation of Craftsman Architecture to Country Living," and several other pieces. "The House of the Democrat" by William L. Price is also included, a thoughtful essay which would give anyone pause when looking at today's McMansions. Price says that a house should not embarrass one's friends; it should be ample enough to contain them, simple enough to leave them unoppressed, and with enough artistry to please and lead them, if they wish, to build one likewise. This essay is worth the price of the book!
One of the features of this catalog is that along with the exterior view and floor plan of every house, there is an extensive written description. For many of the houses there are drawings of the interior, with suggestions for furnishings. There are also examples of what types of light fixtures one might use. There are several cement houses, a fad of the time which should have caught on more than it did, as it is an economical and sturdy material for building a house. The written descriptions, in some cases, even include alternate ways to finish the house to save money or to adapt it to a particular type of location. Most of the illustrations are drawings/paintings; there are a few photographs, but not many. The drawings of the interiors include wallpapers and curtains.
There are a few houses in the book without indoor bathrooms, which is not unusual for the period, but most have a full bath, and some have two bathrooms. Almost all have extensive built-ins: sideboards, bookcases, benches and settles, shelves.
There are a few plans for log houses, for summer camp houses, and even for rural schoolhouses. There's also a section on gardening and landscaping; one on pergolas, one on the details of concrete house construction, and one on how fireplaces work for heating and ventilation.
In sum: this is more than just a plan book; the only bad point is that if this is your first exposure to plan books, then the subsequent ones you read will seem plain and lacking by comparison. Definitely should be in the collection of anyone interested in turn-of-the-century architecture, restoring houses, or adm
Average customer rating:
- Much needed for research, etc.
- A Complex Fate
- Behind the Craftsman: Stickley the man
- Poor craftsmanship
|
A Complex Fate: Gustav Stickley and the Craftsman Movement
Barry Sanders
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Furniture Design
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Artists, Architects & Photographers
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
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ASIN: 0471143928 |
Book Description
The full-length biography of the outspoken leader of the Arts and Crafts Movement
During an intense period of technological innovation early in this century, a movement dedicated to simple living began to take shape. An unknown cabinetmaker, Gustav Stickley, became the most vocal spokesperson in America for this quirky revolution in aesthetics known as the Arts and Crafts Movement. This book traces Stickley's wide-ranging artistic career that sought to integrate social theory, political commitment, and aesthetic design. Stickley believed utility, simplicity, and beauty—exemplified in high quality craftsmanship—were the keys to an ideal life, and thousands of Americans bought both the product and the notion. Stickley's is a story of a movement that exerted tremendous influence on furniture, pottery, metalwork, jewelry, bookbinding, leatherwork, and architecture. But his story is also one of classic collision, when the ideals of a simple life clash with those of a complex fate.
- Includes rare photographs of Stickley's works
- Features Stickley's own renderings for his early designs
BARRY SANDERS (HOMETOWN?) is Professor of English and the History of Ideas at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. He is the author of A is for Ox and co-author of ABC: The Alphabetization of the Popular Mind and The Sacred Paw: The Bear in Nature, Myth, and Literature.
Customer Reviews:
Much needed for research, etc........2003-06-12
If you collect items or information on Stickley, buy this book. It has extensive end notes and a fine bibliography, which makes it an outstanding piece of reference material. I'm an information junkie, and in my opinion, A COMPLEX FATE is worth owning if only for the doors it will open to additional information -- an outstanding resource.
A Complex Fate.......1999-12-04
This is a bad book. Not because it's written badly - it's not. It's really a good read. But you cannot tell fact from fiction. Barry Sanders was an early Stickley collector and I think this book was written in the 1970s but found no publisher. Now with the craze on all things Stickley it surfaces. His research is dated and in many cases supplanted by much newer information. The footnotes indicate he has read Mary Ann Smith's groundbreaking book Gustav Stickley: The Craftsman and yet he states as fact many things that are the opposite of what Smith writes, and footnotes, in her book. Sanders' research is poor and he does not separate fact from his own speculation in the text. Readers should refer to Smith (though dated) and to Marilyn Fish's continuing series of books for the latest accurate information. Please see my review in the Winter 1999 issue of Style 1900 magazine for more details on Sanders and Fish books.
Behind the Craftsman: Stickley the man.......1999-06-14
I have spent the last year reading much of what is available about the life of Gustav Stickley and the Arts and Crafts Movement in America. Unfortunately, there are precious few volumes that attack the subject with any hard investigation. Mr. Sanders' book is easily a step in the right direction. I was very pleased to discover a host of information that was hitherto completely ignored or missed by other authors. It is not a book about his furniture, it is a book about the man. There are too many books available that stress the former to ignore the latter. Further, Sanders does not treat his subject with the typical sentimentality of other biographers. In fact, in sometimes Sanders goes too far in pointing out Stickley's contradictions (at one one point making the tenuous comparison between Stickley and men such as Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken). Stickley is never painted in a completely pleasing light. This is a far cry from the Stickley rhetoric so often repeated by those in his new following which is always very positive. At times there are gaping holes in Sanders' research, but I would like to point out that the author's honesty at not claiming to be able to completely pin down his subject is somewhat refreashing. After all it can be very disconcerting realizing an author is leaving out all mention of certain facts and connections to save face rather than owning up to some small defeats. Sometimes what an author doesn't say speaks volumes. It must be remembered that Stickley was not a Statesman or President, he was a furniture manufacturer, publisher and businessman. Therefore, there is not a enormous treasure trove of information just waiting to dissected and interpreted by latter-day scholars. Sanders does the right thing by taking Stickley's own words (printed in his catalogs and his Craftsman magazine) to help desribe his philosophy and interests. His other research is rather exhaustive and his references wide-ranging. The book is also well footnoted. Most importantly, it is well written. It covers many years and a lot of dates and factoids but it remains very readable to the end. It should not be considered the last word on Stickley but it does fill in where others have left off. Bankrupt by 1916, Stickley's own empire crumbled and he went on to live in relative obscurity. Today, everything he created is seen as among the very best in early Modernism and his design influence can be seen in a myriad of disciplines. His furniture comands astronomical prices at auction and homes reflecting his Cratsman ideal ( "Craftsman" has even become a catchall word to desribe almost any small bunglow built during the time) are sought after in nearly every major American city. He has converted a huge new following of devotees nearly a century after his first furniture was produced. Furniture manufactures rake in huge profits by copying his older designs (just as they did in the first part of the century) and Mission furniture is again very much in vogue. All this from a poor, second generation German immigrant from Wisconsin. A "Complex Fate"? Without a doubt.
Poor craftsmanship.......1999-01-21
Gustav Stickley, secular saint of simplicity and the prophet of an eerily durable decorative arts movement, remains just as mysterious to the reader who finishes this book as he was before. It is absolutely devoid of the kind of deep research and broad context the subject requires. To give only a few examples: The author has no idea what Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright thought of each other, or whether they ever met. He doesn't know why Stickley went bankrupt (the theories he offers are the same speculations that would occur to anybody). He doesn't mention World War I and its world-shattering impact; he doesn't even notice Stickley's downfall beginning around ... 1914. He doesn't tell what Stickley's ethic replaced -- what WERE those Edwardian homes like? How did people live? How did they build and finance homes? If I'm not mistaken, the word "Victorian" doesn't even appear in the book. He doesn't know why Stickley abandoned Craftsman Farms, so he glibly chalks it up to a short attention span. He doesn't explore the social/ethnic implications of Stickley's wanting to hook up poor children with the manual arts. He doesn't address the factual basis of any of Stickley's odd theories: is sleeping in the open air REALLY more healthful? Do rugs harbor harmful germs? And on the other hand -- is it possible Stickley really was brilliant in emphasizing a soothing palette and natural materials? The book tells us that Craftsman designs were widely built .. but where? Which cities, which neighborhoods? The photos are random shots of furniture that never correspond to the text on their pages. There are few actual reproductions of art from "The Craftsman" and none of text. There are no graphics explaining furniture styles, no floor plans showing homes. And last, there is at least one fact in the book that fairly screams irony, but goes unaddressed: Stickley, he of the humane furniture and cozy firesides, appears to have designed one of the country's first ELECTRIC CHAIRS at a New York prison. How this could have gone thud in a book that purports to show "a complex fate" is a mystery deeper than Gus's predilection for rock-hard sofas.
Book Description
This guide to adding graceful inlays and sturdy, functional hinges to wood furniture draws on the popular designs of Gustav Stickley and the Arts and Crafts movement, providing all the information necessary to add a decorative flourish to any piece of furniture. Featuring designs that are presented here for the first time, this primer provides an introduction to Stickley's work, as well indispensable techniques for reproducing many of Stickley's signature motifs. A list of important materials and detailed shop drawings for inlays and hardware is included.
Customer Reviews:
A great resource for Craftsman enthusiasts!.......2005-02-12
This book is a great resource for those of us who wish to see in great detail various inlay patterns in Craftsman furniture. Most photo-oriented books really do not take the time to focus-in on the inlay, leaving the details a blurry mystery. The author has taken the time to reproduce authentic inlays using Autocad line drawings. This is a highly specialized kind of book and I was elated to find it! Leave it to Robert Lang to give us the expert's details.
The book could be greatly improved by the addition of close-up color photos of the inlays the designs were taken from.
A great addition to the Craftsman movement! A 5-star effort!
Book Description
With over 200 detailed illustrations and descriptions, these two catalogs are essential reading and reference materials and identification guides for Stickley furniture. Among the items depicted and described are chairs, rockers, stools, settles, desks, library tables, music cabinets, drop-leaf tables, nests of tables, chests of drawers, sideboards, china cabinets and dressing tables.
Customer Reviews:
Launching Pad for Craftstman-style Interior Design.......2002-06-05
The best candidates for this book are those who have purchased or are planning to purchase a Craftsman-style home; however, that should not exclude those who just want to replicate the style in their decor. Although there are many style characteristics of the Arts & Crafts era that are easily identified, this book sheds light on a wide spectrum of pieces with literal authenticity.
While not a complete collection (items such as light switch coverplates and heating register covers are not included) these reproductions of Stickley's catalogs are the perfect foundation for those looking to purchase Craftsman-style interior accents.
If you desire to maintain as much as possible the look of the Arts & Crafts movement in your interior design, this book should definitely be a staple in your library.
Excellent Value.......2000-06-27
The photography is the old original work, and while it's not up to today's standards it is nice. There are prices for each piece, which is amusing, seeing a $12 price for a table.
There are measurements for most of the pieces, which is not surprising as the furniture was sold via catalog. There are no plans, this is from a catalog to sell furniture, not plans. But, between the pictures and the measurements you can develop your own plans.
There is also some history and text pages from Stickley's catalog/magazine.
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