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The Editors Mailbox

UPDATE: Book Giveaway: 500 Chairs and 500 Tables

Betsy Engel, contributor

1 user recommends

Courtesy of Lark Books

Courtesy of Lark Books

Photo: Courtesy of Lark Books

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500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs (500 Series) and 500 Tables: Inspiring Interpretations of Function and Style (500 Series) edited by Ray Hemachandra
Lark Books, 2008 and 2009.
$24.95 each; Chairs 408 pp; Tables 420 pp.

Here’s a book set we recently received from editor Ray Hemachandra and we're giving you an opportunity to win both books. Leave a comment here for your chance to win.

These books are inspirational. They are loaded with photos of Chairs or Tables from the likes of Sam Maloof, Garry Knox Bennett, Kristina Madsen, and Alfred Sharp. The pieces range from the unusual to traditional. For example, in 500 Chairs you’ll find the “New Ladderback” by Garry Knox Bennett (a chair w/ a step ladder for the back) and more traditional Windsor Chairs by Curtis Buchanan. 500 Tables includes coffee tables, chess tables, dining tables and all sorts of other “tables”.

Lucky ClifP is the winner. His comment was chosen at random. After he has had a chance to review the books, check back here for his comments.

And check out the current giveaway, Zany Wooden Toys that Whiz, Spin, Pop and Fly.

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A table you can drop a bowling ball on

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Congrats to Mark Laub, Winner of our Cabinet Contest

Comments (56)

TedFurlong writes: My wife and I recently entered into a discussion about "high" art vs "craft" art, and why there are so many art museums, but so relatively few crafts museums. . We had visited a contemporary gallery here in Denver and noted that for us, some hint of the artist's intent vis-a-vis materials selection, craftsmanship, and functional purpose really made the difference between a piece speaking to us or not. I have always been interested in the tensions inherent in the division of furniture design and construction into the "art" or "studio" furniture approach, in which the maker looks to address form from a perspective in which functionality is less a concern, and more traditional, craft-driven approaches, where function and aesthetic demands are equally balanced. I am looking forward to delving into this set, as it follows a FWW tradition in exploring and illustrating these tensions.

(T)Ed Furlong

Posted: 10:20 pm on November 16th

Evan12 writes: I would love to read these books.
Posted: 7:42 am on November 15th

SSaul writes: These books showcase the ART in woodcraft. Thank you for featuring them.
Posted: 9:48 am on November 14th

bakbook writes: I consider chair making the ultimate chalange of woodworking. the book will add another layer of knowlege to my ability to design chairs. Thanks.
Posted: 1:50 am on November 14th

chairmannz writes: As a chair maker i like to see new shapes.
Posted: 12:10 am on November 14th

franco88 writes: For anything creative to emerge from the mind, something imaginative must precede it. Beautiful books feed my imagination. They are tangible.

Similarly, woodworking is made meaningful to me almost entirely because of its three dimensional nature. Holding in the hand or looking directly at an object, while in the process of creation, is to exercise the power of the creator. Meaningful work indeed.
Posted: 3:50 pm on November 13th

Gonzo writes: I love to study beautiful items made by others, it helps inspire me to improve my skills. I recently moved to a new (112 year old) home so I would have room for a dedicated shop, and am just completing it - so this would be a perfect time for me to win and get to see and be inspired by more chairs than I would ever get the opportunity to see in person.
Posted: 10:51 am on November 13th

ekrafsur writes: I've built tables, but never chairs. Perhaps its time to correct this oversight!
Posted: 10:36 am on November 13th

yohann writes: that would add great value to my collection
Posted: 10:59 pm on November 12th

Du77y writes: I enjoy different constructions. I'm sure these books will deliver some different perspectives from a art standpoint.
Posted: 9:39 pm on November 12th

scullin writes: Admire the chairs for their comfortable bottoms and sensuous legs and prepare the tables to be used as dancefloors! Yea, inspire this :-O
Posted: 8:44 pm on November 12th

dustee writes: count me in and a suggestion mic the interviewee.
Posted: 1:34 pm on November 12th

Red_F writes: Chairs Chairs Chairs...

Why do I keep making new ones when they can be such a pain to get right?
Posted: 9:39 pm on November 11th

applekor writes: I have probably built more than 500 chairs in my 25+yr career, but not as many tables. I would love to have these books for inspiration.
Posted: 11:08 am on November 11th

eoinsgaff writes: Hey there,

Count me in please

Eoin
Posted: 4:13 am on November 11th

hardatit writes: I can just see the joy on my wife's face when I tell her I did'nt deplete the check book buying woodworking books again! Please.... help me put joy on my wife's face.
Posted: 7:10 pm on November 10th

mvflaim writes: Boom Boom
Posted: 11:09 am on November 10th

Soul_Surfer writes: Wow! What an awesome chair on the cover of that book!
Posted: 1:42 am on November 10th

Triumph1 writes: It would go great with my "400 Wooden Boxes" book!
Posted: 9:57 pm on November 9th

ClifP writes: These look great! I'm trying to picture the perfect chairs and table for my house, it would be great to look at all these examples. Count me in!
Posted: 9:32 pm on November 9th

krenovian writes: I would love to add to my library!
Posted: 6:22 pm on November 9th

sk2tobin writes: what a great addition to my library!
Posted: 6:12 pm on November 9th

oldewood writes: Two good books means twice the fun!
Posted: 5:18 pm on November 9th

tmetcalf writes: looks interesting
Posted: 1:31 pm on November 9th

Woodsmithy writes: I've always wanted a set of these books. Count me in too.
Posted: 12:27 pm on November 9th

ikmattias writes: I love making furniture!
I love woodworking books!
Posted: 12:19 pm on November 9th

RalphBarker writes: The only thing better than a good book is a free good book. ;-)

Posted: 11:55 am on November 9th

KLaz writes: Looking forward to receiving this one.
Posted: 11:39 am on November 9th

Buche writes: My wife and I don't even have a coffee table, so any inspiration for a new one would be appreciated.

Many thanks!
Posted: 11:37 am on November 9th

Kaleo writes: always looking for a good design book
Posted: 11:35 am on November 9th

mrfixitnow writes: Very interesting cover!
Posted: 10:50 am on November 9th

benjk writes: free books - for the WIN!
Posted: 10:29 am on November 9th

Tyblack writes: Looks like a great place for ideas
Posted: 9:06 am on November 9th

keithver writes: Wow! More inspiration. I can do with as much as I can get. The covers already have my brain in overdrive. What will the insides do?
Posted: 9:06 am on November 9th

MarkMazzo writes: Count me in on this one!
Posted: 8:51 am on November 9th

pcoleman writes: Count me in.
Posted: 8:15 am on November 9th

w1z3r writes: pull up a chair and dance on the tables
Posted: 6:17 am on November 9th

DaveHarrison writes: Count me in!
Posted: 4:14 am on November 9th

JeremyMillar writes: Sign me up.
Posted: 3:15 am on November 9th

Smith5963 writes: in....
Posted: 12:35 am on November 9th

fitzdr writes: Thanks
Posted: 9:59 pm on November 8th

johnrezz writes: can never have enough books, or is that clamps????
Posted: 9:35 pm on November 8th

baudi writes: Yes, please.
Posted: 9:24 pm on November 8th

patwreck writes: This will be very usefull
Posted: 8:48 pm on November 8th

captlen writes: Planning an end table. I would love some inspiration.
Posted: 8:35 pm on November 8th

pbibbo writes: Pick me, pick me
Posted: 8:32 pm on November 8th

JLYoung writes: Sign me up please
Posted: 8:21 pm on November 8th

Pathrat06 writes: Sounds like something I could use!
Posted: 7:54 pm on November 8th

highpro writes: Count me in!
Posted: 7:26 pm on November 8th

nznix writes: These would look great lying around the house on chairs and tables.
Posted: 7:05 pm on November 8th

slydogx writes: In.
Posted: 5:14 pm on November 8th

APO writes: Sign me up...I love chairs
Posted: 4:37 pm on November 8th

Larrythewoodguy writes: Oh, these two books would fit so well in my collection.
Posted: 3:26 pm on November 8th

JamesMichaelFurniture writes: I will be deployed when this contest is over, blessing to the one who wins.
Posted: 2:25 pm on November 8th

jacko9 writes: Hello,

I have most issues of Fine Woodworking from issue 1 on along with fine furniture and a shelf full of woodworking books. While I am a fair woodworker, my design skills lack any imagination what-so-ever.

I am about to embark on a project to build my wife a dining room table out of some wood I purchased 30 years ago, Brazilian Rosewood and I would love to come across an inspiring leg and apron table design before I commit my most prized wood to the shop.

I have been searching for over two years for just the right design and I would appreciate the table and chair book to assist me in this endeavor.

Thanks for this web site and your fine contributions to the art of woodworking.

Jack


Posted: 2:18 pm on November 8th

jhonbaker writes: I just built a coffee table that this would look perfect on.
Posted: 1:09 pm on November 8th

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