Room stenciling is more popular today than ever before. This book illustrates 140 historic ornaments spanning the past century. Examples of colorfully decorated spaces provide additional inspiration, with floral and geometric, light and bright motifs. Detailed directions make the techniques a pleasure to use. With inexpensive tools and materials, this is a reasonably priced hobby that you can discover anew here!

Outdoor Wood Works is a collection of ideas for improving the environment around our houses. From the fences that frame our homes to the walkways that lead to our front doors, this book explores ways in which wood can improve our little stake in the great outdoors. Hundreds of ideas are presented in full-color photographs. Permanent outdoor fixtures like benches and gazebos make the outdoors more comfortable while flower boxes, retaining walls, and other accents add beauty. There's something for everyone in this book, from play sets for the children to bird and doghouses. Ten complete project...

Over 770 images and meticulous research are uniquely combined here to bring to light Art Nouveau decorated porcelain table, tea, and decorative wares produced by the Prussian Reinhold Schlegelmilch Porcelain Factory. The beautiful early twentieth century wares displayed (also including children's sets, dresser sets, and vases) were originally exported to America during the first decade of the twentieth century. Tableware products are presented in chronological order by mold patterns. When they are available, original catalog copy accompanies items displayed. Decorative techniques used by the...

More than 300 historic fabric samples from the mid-1920s and 1930s provide a visual textbook of design ideas prevalent during the Art Deco era. These were the everyday fabrics used for housedresses and curtains, adorned with the era's predominate geometric creations and spiced with the exotic inspirations that spurred one of the most popular artistic movements of all times. This book is an invaluable reference guide for costume historians and a treasure trove of inspiration for designers.

One Hundred Years of Valentines is a photographic essay. This book, a must for the collector or dealer, showcases over 450 valentine's cards from the late 1800s up until 1998. This comprehensive book includes: the Depression, dimensional, Art Deco, transportation, artist signed, honey comb paper puff, novelty, etc., along with an extensive glossary of valentine terms, the "Second Top 10 Most Asked Questions," and a Usage Guide. Valuable information helps collectors/dealers identify and evaluate their cards.

In Pocket Guide to Occupied Japan, authors Monica Lynn Clements and Patricia Rosser Clements showcase the wide array of products made in Japan during the American Occupation (1945-1952). Once sold in department stores or dime stores, these items are now much sought after by collectors. With a brief history and over 250 color photographs, this handheld guide features figurines, planters, vases, salt and pepper shakers, animals, toys, dishes, mugs, wall plaques, metal objects, and other interesting items made in Occupied Japan. It is a welcomed addition to anyone's personal reference library.

A sweeping survey of the early world of plastics is presented here in text and over 500 color photographs of celluloid toys, ornaments, jewelry, greeting cards, dolls, and much more. Advertisements from early twentieth century catalog pages futher chronicle the artifacts made with this enchanting early plastic. Celluloid objects of many forms and functions are included, ranging from holiday items and novelties to children's play things and utilitarian objects--all of which would have been found scattered throughout homes during the early decades of the twentieth century. Additionally, a...

Here are 72 all-new scrollsaw projects, featuring original patterns and designs ranging in difficulty from simple to quite challenging. These unique stand-up puzzles, irresistible holiday decorations, and imaginative project designs are perfect for all skill levels. Creating these clever crafts is fun, relatively inexpensive, and requires only a few basic tools, making them perfect for craft shows and gift-giving The author presents each project, including a pattern, supply list, detailed instructions, and a color photograph of the finished craft. Her helpful introduction covers scrollsaw...

After many requests for a book about clothing labels we decided to put one together featuring a wonderful gallery of labels for artists, textile manufacturers, graphic designers, and just plan old ordinary people to enjoy. This book includes a little bit of history and technical information as well as a diverse selection of lovely labels to look at and be inspired by. There are labels dating back to the turn of the century, as well as a current roster of famous names and contemporary designs. A wonderful introduction gives a comprehensive overview of the history of garment labels and...

For those who own or dream of building a log structure, this treasure trove of images will be a welcome delight to pour over. More than thirty homes are pictured, with floor plans plus interior and exterior shots. A gold mine of visual ideas for designing and decorating log homes, it has more than 300 dazzling images to inspire your dreams. Study and compare house profiles and room layouts, gather ideas for furnishing your great room, bedrooms, or home office, and select cabinetry styles for your kitchen. This enchanting resource showcases log home living and the distinctive decorating styles...