Grand Rapids Furniture: The Story of America's Furniture City is the first major history to be published about the place that once crowned itself "The Paris of Furniture Design." Over 200 photos illustrate the lively text by Christian G. Carron, curator of one of the nation's largest furniture collections. The story begins in the 1830's with the region's first cabinetmakers, and covers designs from Victorian and Modern through Reform and Revival to the high-tech office furniture of the late twentieth century.
Delving deeper than forms and ornamentation, this volume includes anecdotes and insights from four of the most knowledgeable experts on the Grand Rapids furniture industry.
The detailed manufactures directory lists more than 800 West Michigan furniture makers past and present, including company names, locations, designers, and product descriptions. Never-before-published hints for identifying Grand Rapids furniture complement more than 400 maker's marks and labels, to make this an important resource for every reference shelf.
Reader Reviews
This was not what we thought it would be, but it had other attributes that make it a good book. I was looking for more photos, more splash -- and was inititally disappointed. Then as I explored it (there are great photos) and realized the last half of the book gives the maker's marks and a history, even if brief, of SO MANY small and large companies -- we realized it is a find we will use again and again. A good reference book for dealers and designers; not a coffee table book
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