Build-It-Better-Yourself Country Furniture

Culled from the pages of Family Handyman, the more than 80 furniture and accessory projects included in this guide are primarily intended for the serious, experienced woodworker. The projects are divided into four categories: tables and desks (including a Shaker trestle dining table, an interesting wagon seat table and a variety of desk designs); chairs, benches and beds (including cradles and a four-poster bed); cabinets and storage units (with several dry sink designs, a vegetable bin and an ambitious oak icebox among them); and accessory pieces (which are mostly smaller and less involved projects that may interest less experienced readers). Each project is well illustrated with both photographs and exploded drawings, with accompanying cutting and materials lists. However, almost all of the designs demand a knowledge of the vocabulary (a glossary is lacking) and basics of joinery as the actual building instructions are rather skimpy and assume an advanced familiarity with carpentry techniques. (October 3)