The era of Sheraton, Chippendale and the great American cabinetmakers was the golden age of furniture. The elegant, refined forms of the period remain unmatched. Collected from the pages of Fine Woodworking, the examples in this book show the work of some of the most talented practionioners of period furniture making. In the 18th Century Style includes instructions for 10 projects including a Sheraton bed, a highboy, and a drop-leaf breakfast table. In addition, there are 13 examples of superb craftsmanship in a variety of styles from Queen Anne to Pembroke. This is an essential reference for anyone who appreciates period furniture.

Includes:

• Complete instructions for making ogee bracket feet, veneering an ellipse, inlaying a Federal style oval, building a Pembroke Table
• In-depth discussion of the materials of period furniture, including hardware and lumber
• Finely crafted examples of 18th-century reproductions and furniture inspired by the classic tradition

Introduction

PART ONE: Style & Design
Federal Furniture Was Revolutionary by Jennifer A. Perry
Queen Anne by Emyl Jenkins
Choosing Brass Hardware for Period Furniture by Walter Raynes
The Chippendale Style by Emyl Jenkins
The Age of Mahogany by Les Cizek and Norma Watkins

PART TWO: Projects & Techniques
Making Ogee Bracket Feet by Sam Fletcher
Drop-Leaf Breakfast Table by Robert Treanor
Making a Sheraton Bed by Philip C. Lowe
Veneering an Ellipse by John M. Van Buren
Oval Chippendale Stool by Randall O'Donnell
Pembroke Table by Jefferson Kolle
Federal-Style Oval Inlays by Steve Latta
Curly Cherry Highboy (Part 1) by Randall O'Donnell
Curly Cherry Highboy (Part II) by Randall O'Donnell
Curly Cherry Highboy (Part III) by Randall O'Donnell

PART THREE: Inspiration
Salem Secretary in Figured Mahogany by Doug Mooberry and Kevin Arnold
18th-Century Card Table by Walter Raynes and Carl Clinton
A Desk with Distinguished Ancestry by Jeffrey P. Greene
Chippendale Dining Chairs by Rob Wiggenhorn
Curly Maple Secretary by Paul Zenaty
Philadelphia Highboy by Chris Arato and Robert McCullough
Sheraton Field Bed by G.R. Clidence
Mahogany Federal Sideboard by Lance Patterson
Queen Anne Hall Table by E. Jeff Justis, Jr.
Sheraton Armchair by Peter Van Beckum
Townsend Kneehole Desk by William E. Locke
Maple Tavern Table by Andrew McInnes
Reproduction Bomb Desk by Jonathan McLean

Contributors

Credits

Index

Why do the world's woodworkers return again and again to the classic furniture styles of the 18th century? Time is typically not kind to decorative styles, especially 300 years of changing fad and fashion. However, furniture from the Colonial period remains classic because it exhibits exquisite proportion, unforgettable form, and beautiful detail. The period actually covers several distinct styles but it represents probably the most extraordinary 100 years of furniture design.

In this most incredible century, we awoke from the raw utility of pilgrim plank furniture and did not tire creatively until we had produced shapely and eloquent styles remembered now as William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Sheraton, Federal, and Hepplewhite. The furniture was delicate, graceful, and light on its feet. The styles all found new ways to mimic classic sensuous forms such as that of the vase, the S-shaped cyma curve, and the slipper foot. It flowed from top to bottom and back up in a way that wood had never been manipulated. It represented an entire world discovering other parts of itself: from Chinese-influenced ball-and-claw feet to the use of the great mahogany trees from the Caribbean.

The period's cabinetmakers worked with relatively simple tools that still represent purity to a large and dedicated group of today's woodworkers. The drawknives, chisels, saws, and marking tools used today differ little from those used by 18th-century workers who had no electricity.

But the attraction of this classic furniture is its timeless beauty. An 18th-century highboy or secretary still represents the highest form of woodworking achievement to most of us who practice the craft. It often represents the visible proof that one has mastered most facets of woodworking: joinery, carving, turning, inlay, marquetry, and finishing.

The Taunton Press editors of this book looked to the pages of Fine Woodworking and Home Furniture magazines to share with you the period's luxurious beauty. Part One of the book covers the historical background of the century's styles; Part Two contains techniques and projects to help you make this wonderful furniture yourself; Part Three includes inspiring examples made by today's best woodworking artisans. Together the sections represent a unique guide to the world's most classic furniture.

-- Tim Schreiner, publisher of Fine Woodworking and former editor of Home Furniture