Books

Greenwood DIY Books:

Ruoff, Abby (1997) Making Twig Garden Furniture, Hartley & Marks, ISBN0-88179-144-X

American publication includes 51 projects for all skill levels. Shows how to find wood and basic techniques for working with twigs and vines. All of the classic projects are here: birdhouses and feeders, furniture, fences and drying racks.  Review: Fun, suitable for anyone.

Abbott, Mike (1989) Green Woodwork: Working with wood the natural way, Guild of Master Craftsmen Publications, ISBN 0-946819-18-1

“Green woodwork is healthy, creative, inexpensive and simple to learn. The beauty of working green – or unseasoned- wood is that using traditional skills and a few simple tools you can make anything from a tent peg to a Windsor chair” Explains in simple terms what wood is and the advantages of using it unseasoned, the characteristics of different British woods and how to obtain them. Step by step instructions on constructing and using a pole-lathe to make a range of traditional chairs and gives basic information on making gate hurdles, rakes and besom brooms. Review: Comprehensive introduction to green woodworking for the serious wood worker.

Alexander, John D. (1994) Make a chair from a tree: An introduction to working green wood, The Astragal Press, ISBN 1-879335-54-9

American Publication that introduces how to make a chair using traditional techniques of splitting and shaping wood. Describes how to fell a tree, split suitable pieces from it and shape those pieces into parts of a chair, how to finish it and how to weave a bark seat. Review: Excellent background details on the principles and properties of working green wood otherwise a book for the serious wood worker. 

Mack, Daniel, (1992) Making Rustic Furniture, Sterling/Lark Book, ISBN 0-8069-8264-0

American publication giving an overview of the range of contemporary and traditional rustic furniture styles. Provides simple information on making rustic furniture along with a few basic projects, most helpfully the construction of a bentwood armchair. Review: A good introduction that shows the breadth of rustic possibilities as well as helping the novice get started. The folding chair measurements are wrong.

Stephenson, Sue Honaker, (1979) Rustic Furniture, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, ISBN0-442-27974-4

Comprehensive history of rustic furniture making in America and its European origins. Equally comprehensive description of the techniques used in making rustic furniture, including bending twigs and a helpful chapter on building rustic pergolas and summerhouses. Review: A comprehensive all you need to know book that gives history as well as projects to do. Currently out of print but available from library.

 Langsner, Drew, (1995) Green Woodworking: A Hands-on Approach, Lark Books, ISBN 0-937274-82-8

A comprehensive overview on the principles and practice of working wood green or unseasoned. Includes details on a number of projects including rake making, gate hurdles and simple chair making including bark seat weaving. Review: Comprehensive easy to understand technical manual that will be essential reference material for anyone with more than a passing interest in green woodworking.

Cameron, Brenda and Brian, (1998) Making Bent Willow Furniture, Story Books, ISBN 1-58017-048-X

Step-by-step instructions on creating rustic willow furniture for the home, porch and garden. Introductory chapters cover tools and techniques an collecting willows followed by a range of increasingly difficult projects including rustic chairs and loungers, planters, hanging baskets and plant stands. Review: Full introduction to the techniques of using twigs to make a whole range of attractive items for the garden. The book to buy if you want to try your hand at a range of twig projects.

Hunt, W.Ben, (1974) How to build and furnish a log cabin: The easy, natural way using only hand tools and the woods around you., Macmillan USA, ISBN 0-02-001670-0

Reproduction of two early books Building a log Cabin (1947) and Rustic Construction (1939). Provides complete details on building three sizes of log cabin and associated rustic furnishings for indoors and out including, gates, arbours, birdhouses and fences. Review: A good range of ‘chunky’ wood projects and source of dreams if only planning laws were not so strict.

Ruoff, Abby (1991), Making Twig Furniture and Household things, Hartley & Marks, ISBN 0-88179-029-X

Described as a practical, comprehensive guide for both novice and experienced do-it-your-selfer. Many of the 35 pieces of furniture and other household things are based on well loved, rustic North American designs. Projects include rustic chairs, folding chairs, loungers and planters. Review: Fun suitable for anyone although the measurements are wrong for the folding Twig Chair and the plate stand going by my experience stood up long enough for the photo only!

   Conran, Terence (2000) Terence Conran’s Garden DIY, Conran Octopus, ISBN 1-85029-723-1

An all-embracing manual of garden style which combines good design with practical advice. 75 projects including several interesting rustic projects: A robust beanpole fence panel and rustic hexagonal arbour. Review: Clever ideas and good practical advice only wish the garden was big enough.

Burns, Hilary (1998) Cane, Rush and Willow: Weaving with Natural Materials, Apple, ISBN 1-85076-866-8

A clear and comprehensive guide to using tools and collecting, sorting and preparing materials, Concise sections on techniques, covering, platting, wrapping and binding, split materials making frames, borders and finishing. Over 20 projects including for the gardens, conical plant supports, garden lights, willow figures, hurdles and arbours and even a coracle. Review: Wide range of attractive projects for both in and outside the house. The coracle works well.

Franks, Beth (1990) Wicker, Cane and Willow, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, ISBN 0-297-79705-0

Guides you through the buying and care of wicker with tips on evaluating antique and modern pieces, where to find antique wicker, how to restore and refurbish it.  Presents seven projects including twig table and planters. Review: A comprehensive ‘style’ book with historical background and a couple of useful twig projects to try.

Long, Jim (1998) Making Bentwood Trellises, Arbors, Gates and Fences, Storey Books, ISBN 1-58017-051-X

Simple step-by-step instructions in making dozens of rustic garden plant supports as the title describes.  Review: A book for the gardener to buy it has good practical advice and ideas and the projects are all pretty simple and easy to do.

Bird, Richard (1998) Creating Boundaries and Screens, Ryland, Peters and Small, ISBN 1-900518-51-1

Inspiring ideas for creating practical and decorative boundaries and screens in and around the Garden. 20 illustrated project using a range of material several of which use rustic timber, Picket fence, Rustic Trellis, Wattle panels, Sweet Pea divider and miniature gate hurdles. Review: Good ideas book with interesting practical projects using on rustic timber and other materials.

Kylloe, Ralph (1993) Rustic Traditions, Gibbs Smith, ISBN 0-87905-670-3

A concise well illustrated history of the rustic tradition and introduces the artisans who popularised it. Covers all around the house- living rooms, eating areas and outdoors. Review: Inspiring stuff. A style book with lots of ideas covering a breadth of styles and traditions no practical advice.

Gilborn, Craig (1987) Adirondack Furniture and the rustic tradition., Harry N Adams, ISBN 0-8109-1844-7

A detailed history of the Adirondack Rustic tradition from its European origins to contemporary practioners. Review: A detailed source book for the those wanting to explore the traditions more. 

Mack, Daniel (1996) The Rustic Furniture Companion: traditions, techniques and inspirations, Lark Books, ISBN0-937274-97-6

Provides and overview of the rustic tradition in America with many excellent and inspiring pictures. Also describes a number of rustic projects suitable for the garden including chairs and tables. Review: Great for ideas but does not want to give much away on the projects so little use as a practical introductions.

Linoff, Victor M. (editor) (1991) Porch, Lawn and Cottage Furniture: Two complete catalogs, Ca 1904 and 1926, Dover, ISBN 0-486-26531-5

Reproduction of two catalogues from the Rustic Hickory Furniture Company. Lots of illustrations of chairs, benches loungers etc. Review: A source book for ideas.

Agate, Elizabeth (1986) Fencing: a practical conservation handbook, BTCV ISBN 0-946752-04-4 

One of a serious of very helpful conservation handbooks by BTCV. As the blurb says this book is probably the most comprehensive book available on the subject.  Includes details on erecting a variety of garden fences. Review: Very helpful, easy to follow.

Lambert, F. (1957) Tools and devices for coppice crafts, Young Farmer’s Club Booklet No. 31,

Provides detailed descriptions on the tools and techniques required to produce may traditional coppice products including for the gardener, Besom Brooms, hay rakes, trugs, wattle and gate hurdles.

Tabor, Raymond (1984) Traditional Woodland Crafts, B.T. Batsford, ISBN 0-7134-7500-5

A practical guide to green woodwork and the coppice crafts, showing how to use traditional tools and techniques to make traditional products from small round wood. For the gardener provides detailed descriptions on making: Besom Brooms, Gate and Wattle hurdles. Review: Essential reading for anyone wanting to use locally grown wood in the gardens, clear and well illustrated instructions.

Stiles, David and Jeanie (1999) Garden Retreats: A build it yourself guide, Storey Books, ISBN 1-58017-149-4

Step by step illustrated instructions on the construction of 22 garden structures including: Rose arbour, pergola, sheds, Table and Bench, Gazebos. One of a pair of books by the same authors, the other being Rustic Retreats. Review: Fully illustrated practical book based largely on using sawn timber. I am adapting the Shed or "Gardeners Retreat" design for my own garden and have found it very helpful. Many 'construction' type projects not commonly found elsewhere.

Stiles, David and Jeanie (1998) Rustic Retreats: A build it yourself guide, Storey Books, ISBN 1-58017-035-8

Step by step illustrated instructions on the construction of 20 low-cost, sturdy, outdoor 'retreats' or sheds. Wide variety of structures described including Yurts, Tipis, Benders, log cabins, arbours and even structures recognisable as a shed! One of a pair of books by the same authors, the other being Garden Retreats. Review: Fully illustrated practical book based largely on round or natural timber and different folk building traditions. Provides inspiration, practical guidance but not the time or the large garden to build them all in. The ideal starter book for someone looking for ideas on different rustic structures and how to build them.

Mack, Daniel (1999) Simple Rustic Furniture: A weekend workshop, Lark Books, ISBN 1-57990-086-0

"No woodworking experience is required in order to make simple, attractive, and fuctional rustic furniture - in a weekend.!" A number of rustic garden projects are described in detailed including rustic arbour, tables, and bentwood armchair. As in previous books by the author lots of photos of rustic work by different makers with many different styles, including one, Nick Parker, from England. General information on techniques, tools and materials. Review: Third time lucky I guess for the author. The book repeats much of his previous two but gives a bit more information on how to make various items. The most useful of his three books.

Star, Blue Evening, (1995) Building Tipis and Yurts: Authentic Designs for circular shelters, Lark Books, ISBN 1-887374-69-8

" I choose to live in circular spaces because they bring me peace and serenity" Clearly the author is not from Scotland. The book provides clear instructions and easy-to-follow diagrams describing how to construct a tipi and a yurt using materials easily sourced from DIY stores. There is a final chapter on 'Living with a circular shelter' that covers aspects such as heating and ventilation. Review: I must say they are pretty hefty structures and the nomads must have been of the stature of Charles Atlas. Anyway, if like me you think the housing boom of the SE of England is an environmental abomination and is more about making developers rich than 'homes' for humans, this book gives you a glimpse of a better world and the information on how to get at least some of the way there.