Arts and Crafts is more than a style of architecture. It is an enduring furniture style that honors the tradition of fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. This book takes a fresh look at the history and influences that resulted in beautiful, functional pieces designed to enhance the interiors of classic Arts and Crafts homes. From William Morris and the roots of the movement, through Gustav Stickley, the Prairie School, and including contemporary pieces, this book celebrates the classic furniture — and the master craftsmen who made it. Arts and Crafts Furniture gives a comprehensive look at the design and construction of this furniture, with nearly 500 color photos illustrating examples of the style. An extensive list of resources and full bibliography is included.

Books such as these make reviewing a true pleasure. The book by Cathers (Stickley Style), a lavish, comprehensive monograph on the life and, in particular, the work of an originator of the Arts & Crafts furniture design movement in the United States, is a fine, deep, and impressive exploration. Gustav Stickley had wide-ranging influence as a designer, particularly through the periodical The Craftsman. He worked with simple lines, virtually shorn of ornamentation, and the materials and craft of construction took center stage in his furniture and, later, architectural designs (most often conceived and implemented by others). Produced on heavy, glossy paper stock, with several hundred illustrations, both color and black-and-white photography, and line drawings, this work meticulously highlights Stickley's enormous contribution to design. The bibliography and index make this volume particularly useful. Arts & Crafts Furniture provides a broader context for the design movement of Stickley's time, helping readers understand fully the revolution he engendered. The volume shines in its careful delineation and exploration of the differences among designers and the different styles of the time, facilitated by textual discussions, drawings, and photographs. The definitions are clear, and examples bring many stylistic distinctions into sharper focus. Though distinctly different in focus, both volumes are celebrations of the art and work particularly well in tandem.-Alex Hartmann, INFOPHILE, Williamsport, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

ISBN 1-56158-359-6

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