Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Feb 01, 2005 01:44am | #1

   I suspect, but I don't know, that much of the appeal of Shaker and A&C to a magazine lies in their simplicity which makes for reasonably sized articles about furniture that most readers would feel capable of doing.

   John W. 

2. 
   Rich14 | Feb 01, 2005 01:52am | #2

   Bob,

   The fascination with "Arts & Crafts" design completely mystifies me. I think it is one of the ugliest examples of our craft. Ponderous, brooding, without any attempt at grace or charm. I dislike it big time.

   Shaker design is quite the opposite. It is not as evolved as many similar pieces of Scandinavian design, but it is graceful and adheres to a form follows function philosophy while not ignoring esthetic concerns and sound construction techniques.

   I find it amazing that such a small group, over such a short time in history had such design influence.

   Rich

1. 
   AlbionWood | Feb 01, 2005 02:44am | #3

   's funny... I don't get the fascination with Shaker style at all. I mean, I admire the quality and certain aspects of design, but it is so spare and uncompromisingly functional that it looks boring and industrial to me. I can't see much joy in it.I do have to take some exception to the dismissal of A&C as "without any attempt at grace or charm." That's not a bad description of Mission style, but there were other A&C styles with more grace and charm (Greene & Greene?); although ponderous and brooding might still be applicable. As to the original question: Yes, I think a lot of people are tired of the repetition of articles on Shaker or A&C furniture. But there's a lot of articles on contemporary furniture as well. What particular era would you like to see more articles on?"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

1. 
   Rich14 | Feb 01, 2005 03:22am | #4

   Albion,

   "Shaker style . . . I mean, I admire the quality and certain aspects of design, but it is so spare and uncompromisingly functional that it looks boring and industrial to me. I can't see much joy in it."

   Yeah, frivolity was not a part of the lifestyle, was it? They didn't waste material, though. Just enough to accomplish the function of the piece and not a bit more. I kind of like that philosophy, but, yes, the stuff can be described as sterile.

   There's nothing as comfortable as a big, overstuffed chair at the end of the day.

   Rich

1. 
   AlbionWood | Feb 01, 2005 05:18am | #6

   I really just can't get very excited about a style developed by a people who eschewed sex. There's just something fundamentally wrong there."Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

1. 
   Rich14 | Feb 01, 2005 06:27am | #7

   Albion,Man, am I with you on that. That chewed sex, or whatever, just don't sit right with me at all. If you can't do it the right way, well use a heifer or a lamb. But that chewed stuff. Ugh.Kinda makes ya glad they didn't truck much with movies or TV. If they had influenced those, well no tellin' what we'd be seeing now.Rich

3. 
   Michmesquite | Feb 01, 2005 03:44am | #5

   Bob

   I am going to make a wild guess here, but I would bet you a good lunch somewhere that Stickly is just as happy as can be with the current surge in the need to have A&C furniture. http://www.stickley.com/

   It is my style and even my wife and her friends like the style.

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell