Is it possible for newcomers to furniture making to create original, extraordinary projects—beautiful yet practical, from the plans of leading designers? Yes, it is—with this treasury of 25 pieces, inspired by classical, Arts & Crafts, traditional, and contemporary styles. Each project comes with detailed instructions, close-ups of each step, and elegant photographs. A special feature: exploded drawings of cross-sections that peer into places photos can't see. Some projects are small and quick, such as the rocking chair, cherry table, and retro cabinet. Others use the same techniques to create magnificent works of art: a breakfront bookcase, Shaker writing desk, and Victorian pivot table. Special tips help woodworkers to adapt the techniques to their own personal projects.

You'll see how to make the distinctive, sturdy, and visible joinery that defines the Arts & Crafts look; select the right brackets, hardware, and accents; make a quartersawn figure stand out; add the perfect finish; and choose appropriate upholstery.

A must-read for anyone buying furniture, this guide is filled with marvelous tips from a home furnishing expert, who offers advice on how to begin, what to buy and not to buy, where to shop, and who to avoid.

Discover how to update and repurpose homeware and furniture for an effortlessly chic home. Nowadays, it is easy to find affordable furniture for your home from chain stores, but those pieces can lack character. This is where furniture hacking comes in—updating, repurposing, and personalizing to create stylish, unique masterpieces. Here, Hester van Overbeek shows you 35 ways to update your home accessories, soft furnishings, and even wooden furniture, all with step-by-step photos to guide you along the way. Projects range from simpler ideas, such as a table made from stacked old magazines or a patchwork rug, created by sewing small inexpensive mats together, to ways to create larger pieces for a fraction of the price it would cost to buy them new. Discover how to make your own four-poster bed by combining a budget bed base and pieces of reclaimed wood, or convert a bookcase into a sideboard. There are five chapters—Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Room, Bedroom, Home Office, and Outdoor Space—and each one includes an “instant update” idea for beginner upcyclers, too. Why not paint cutlery handles with nail polish to update them, or make your own bedside light simply using a shelf support? Hester’s philosophy is that you don’t need much money or many DIY skills to make your house into a cozy, stylish home. With the right inspiration, you can create something beautiful.