Many of the reviews here are too generous. There's little to nothing in this book that would be better than someone photographing some actual pieces with a ruler held nearby. For example, while it claims to be "Shop Drawings & Techniques", the side table on page 74 is supposed to have a hollowed surface. How deeply hollowed? How is it hollowed out? Should I do this with a gouge? Am I supposed to design and build a curved router jig that I repeatedly rotate across the surface? Another example: one of the projects is a mirror. Lazy, but fine, lets go with it. Look at the cut list: four pieces of wood. How deep the groove for the mirror? What size mirror glass given those dimensions? How to attach the mirror to the back?
If everything in the book was executed at the level of detail as the two step by step projects, it would be a good book. As it is, it looks like an author who promised some number of projects and a publisher who doesn't care about quality.
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.
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.
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?
Good, but not perfect. This book has a great overview of mid-century modern furniture pieces starting from around the Bauhaus time. The furniture diagrammed in this book ranges from the medium hard difficult.
I will probably build a few of the projects but some were just not what I was looking for and the diagrams for building are a little sketchy.
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.
If you build furniture and like MCM, get this book! Very well done and very useful.
Easy to read and follow book to build a classic mid century furniture piece.
Great book
For beginner, could be more push on the ratio, angle
Nice historical context section for each piece and excellent technical drawings
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.