Elements of Furniture Design is a comprehensive resource for furniture designers, providing a history of the industry, construction elements, and design steps, with a focus on Thomas Day's work. It offers trade secrets lost to outsourcing and offshore manufacture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 28 May 2024
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

Furniture design is a complex and intricate process that requires a deep understanding of various elements. To help designers and enthusiasts gain a comprehensive knowledge of furniture design, "Elements of Furniture Design" is a valuable resource that offers a wealth of information gathered from 30 years of experience as a professional furniture designer. This comprehensive guide covers a range of topics, including a brief history and quick designer references, illustrating furniture construction, historic ornament used on furniture, and the typical design process with a new client.

One of the key elements of furniture design is the use of woods, veneers, wood joinery, comfort, architectural references, and drawing tools. These materials and techniques play a crucial role in shaping the final product and can have a significant impact on its aesthetics, functionality, and durability. The book provides detailed explanations of each of these elements, including their origins, characteristics, and applications.

Illustrating furniture construction is another important aspect of the book. It includes step-by-step illustrations of various furniture pieces, from simple tables and chairs to complex cabinets and beds. These illustrations help designers visualize the construction process and understand the various techniques used to create each piece.

Historic ornament used on furniture is also explored in the book. From molding and turning to carving and inlay, these decorative elements have been used for centuries to enhance the beauty and value of furniture. The book provides examples of these ornaments and explains their historical significance.

The typical design process with a new client is also covered in the book. It includes initial consultations, site visits, and design proposals. The author provides tips and tricks for working with clients and ensuring that their design goals are met.

One of the highlights of the book is the use of the work of cabinetmaker Thomas Day as a case study. Day was a free man of color in the South in the mid-1800s and was known for his innovative and beautiful furniture designs. The book provides detailed information about Day's life and work, and how his designs have influenced modern furniture design.

In addition to the information provided in the book, "Elements of Furniture Design" also includes a wealth of resources for designers and enthusiasts. It includes a glossary of terms, a bibliography of recommended reading, and a list of suppliers and manufacturers.

Overall, "Elements of Furniture Design" is a must-read for anyone interested in furniture design. It provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the various elements of furniture design, and offers valuable insights and tips for creating new and exciting design concepts. Whether you are a professional designer or an enthusiast, this book will help you achieve your design goals and create beautiful and functional furniture pieces.

Elements of Furniture Design

A comprehensive look at the history, elements of construction, and all the steps in furniture design from an expert in the industry.

Elements of Furniture Design is a resource of information gathered from 30 years of working as a professional furnituredesigner. These elements of design are essential, and there is no other resource where they are available in one place. The reader will gain a comprehensive knowledge of how furniture is designed, and can use this information to create new and exciting design concepts. This knowledge is provided in four sections:

A brief history and quick designer references (woods, veneers, wood joinery, comfort, architectural references, and drawing tools)

The first section of the book provides a brief history of furniture design, including the origins of various styles and the development of modern furniture design. It also includes quick designer references for woods, veneers, wood joinery, comfort, architectural references, and drawing tools. These references are essential for designers to understand the different materials and techniques available to them and to make informed decisions about their designs.

Illustrating furniture construction

The second section of the book provides step-by-step illustrations of various furniture pieces, from simple tables and chairs to complex cabinets and beds. These illustrations help designers visualize the construction process and understand the various techniques used to create each piece. The illustrations are accompanied by detailed explanations of each step, making it easy for designers to follow along and understand the process.

Historic ornament used on furniture

The third section of the book explores the use of historic ornament on furniture. From molding and turning to carving and inlay, these decorative elements have been used for centuries to enhance the beauty and value of furniture. The book provides examples of these ornaments and explains their historical significance.

The typical design process with a new client

The fourth section of the book covers the typical design process with a new client. It includes initial consultations, site visits, and design proposals. The author provides tips and tricks for working with clients and ensuring that their design goals are met. The book also includes a glossary of terms, a bibliography of recommended reading, and a list of suppliers and manufacturers.

The work of cabinetmaker Thomas Day

One of the highlights of the book is the use of the work of cabinetmaker Thomas Day as a case study. Day was a free man of color in the South in the mid-1800s and was known for his innovative and beautiful furniture designs. The book provides detailed information about Day's life and work, and how his designs have influenced modern furniture design.

In addition to the information provided in the book, "Elements of Furniture Design" also includes a wealth of resources for designers and enthusiasts. It includes a glossary of terms, a bibliography of recommended reading, and a list of suppliers and manufacturers. Overall, "Elements of Furniture Design" is a must-read for anyone interested in furniture design. It provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of the various elements of furniture design, and offers valuable insights and tips for creating new and exciting design concepts. Whether you are a professional designer or an enthusiast, this book will help you achieve your design goals and create beautiful and functional furniture pieces.

Weight: 1468g
Dimension: 286 x 223 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764367465