The book starts with a table of contents and a good introduction of tools and materials along with photos. The introduction also includes practical advice for avoiding some of the limitations and undesirable aspects of some of the materials (for example how to avoid rust when using iron pipe and pipe fittings).
The projects chapters are separated into 4 basic categories: Gadgets, Lighting, Furniture and Outdoors. Each of the projects include a supplies list, tools list, and a photo tutorial. The photographs are well done and easy to follow.
We all know that there's a very fine line for design and fashion between cutting edge awesome and 'WTF'? I really believe that many of these designs (a strong majority) are well on the 'that is so cool!' side of the line. There's also a fair bit of zaniness (foam 'nerf' launcher, super powered squirt gun, etc) which is always fun. I'm spending the weekend with my daughter making a canopy bed out of pipe, and it looks awesome and is very solid.
Several of the projects remind me a lot of the philosophy and design of the Bauhaus movement, and besides being practical and do-able for the average DIYer, have some serious design chops. I can absolutely see the following table candelabra (included in the book), in a trendy design studio being sold for a gazillion dollars. Belongs in a repurposed industrial residential loft in Manhattan, yes?
Nicely designed, stable, well made projects with well photographed and illustrated tutorials.
144 pages, softbound, due out 1 Dec, 2017.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
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