A magazine I'd LIKE to see... but doesn't exist

[Frank Trinkle]

I have subscriptions to a number of woodworking and DIY magazines, and other than workshop items, virtually all the plans, discussion, and tips in these magazines are for styles of Shaker, Colonial, Early American, or other antiquated designs.

What I'd REALLY like to see is a magazine that focuses exclusively on contemporary and modern furniture and other wood products. Frankly, I'm not a fan of olden designs, though they certainly have a following. I'd really like to see more concentration on modern styles (like Danish designs for example) that better reflect my family's tastes... and do it in a magazine that provides that exclusively, rather than the odd piece.

[Roy Bennett]

I too would like something different in my magazine project selection. However, unlike the OP who wants 'modern' styling, I want Queen Anne and Empire!

I'm sick and tired of the 'Mission' and 'Arts and Crafts' simplistic designs which have dominated the Woodworking press the last several years.

[Kelly C. Hanna]

I have let ALL my mags expire because I never see anything that I like in them anymore.

[Prashun Patel]

I'd like to see more organic designs like Nakashima, Malouf, or Esherick.

But, come on, I'm not anywhere NEAR a skilled woodworker, and already I find it to be much like cooking: You follow a recipe or plan at the beginning to hone your skills. But once you get some confidence, you vary from the plans considerably, until you basically just look at finished pictures and then figure out how to do it your own way.

So, more than PLANS, I'd like to see more pictures. I really like the FWW online gallery. If that were better organized, and there were more pix from different perspectives, and details about the materials and finishing regimen, I'd be happy.

[John Schreiber]

. . .So, more than PLANS, I'd like to see more pictures. . . .

Yes! I can figure out how most classic furniture is made - or I've got books with similar examples.

I'd like to see pictures and discussion of design - without getting all fru-fru. Actually, that's the problem with discussion of design for modern furniture. I learn more about the designer's childhood than I do about proportion and historical reference and practical usage of the piece.

There's also a place for discussion of creative problem solving in wood. That is a discussion of joinery methods rather than straight up plans.

[Julian Nicks]

Magazines lack in quality info for me also, so I peruse three different woodworking forums to get what I want. There's more knowledge here than in most mags, and in forums I can generally get the help needed to research or build a piece.

[Cory Hoehn]

I couldn't agree more! I love the clean lines and joinery of modern furniture. I wish they would mix it up a bit.

[Jamie Cowan]

Antique and antiquated are really two different things. Antiquated generally means to be outdated, and designs such as Shaker are really considered timeless because of years of proven design simplicity and functionality. And broad popularity. I think if you were to really grill the editors of the magazines, you'd find several reasons why they do what they do. First off, they cater to a broader audience than you'd think. They have a lot of readers that don't actually make anything, but would like to one day. My uncle has tons of issues of FWW, but with a business and a family, he has very little free time to pursue woodworking. And I read a whole lot of magazines before I really got going. Shaker, mission and A&C offer lots of skill building opportunities that really apply to all styles of furniture. Also, a mag can give you plans for a lot of these styles because they aren't copyrighted or trademarked designs. Want to make an Eames chair? You're on your own. That design is owned by Herman Miller, and a magazine probably can't publish plans to make one. Sam Maloof may have passed on, but his legal rights to his rockers haven't.

I have noticed a ton of G&G furniture in the mags in the past year or so, and it really doesn't do anything for me. However, I don't mind learning about it. I might incorporate something from their style one day.

Do a google image search for Shaker furniture. You'll see things pop up that are clearly contemporary, but have a vague Shaker lineage. Thomas Moser's work comes to mind. Then search Shaker table or Shaker chair, and see what comes up. Lots of Shaker crossed with Asian design, etc. You can apply what you learn from traditional furniture design to just about anything. And the magazines always cover lots of techniques for dovetails, steam bending, veneering, yadda yadda yadda.

I recently joined the Guild of NH Woodworkers, and they have a magazine that seems to feature a broader range of styles than the big publications. Maybe there's a similar guild in your area.

That said, I'd like to see if a mag with a different design approach would find room to exist out there. Maybe.

[Martin Shupe]

Well, you like Danish modern, but if you didn't already know it, Danish modern traces it lineage to Shaker. Another name for Danish modern could be modern Shaker.

I like Shaker, because I grew up in a house filled with Danish modern furniture.

Shaker is timeless, modern furniture is not always.

Dig up some old books of projects from the late 60's or 70's. You can find them in old woodworking textbooks, or old woodworking magazines. You will be amazed at how "dated" the furniture looks.

For me, I'll stick to Shaker, I've got enough Shaker projects to last me the rest of my life. Hopefully, my kids won't throw it out with the trash.

[David Keller NC]

I have subscriptions to a number of woodworking and DIY magazines, and other than workshop items, virtually all the plans, discussion, and tips in these magazines are for styles of Shaker, Colonial, Early American, or other antiquated designs.

What I'd REALLY like to see is a magazine that focuses exclusively on contemporary and modern furniture and other wood products. Frankly, I'm not a fan of olden designs, though they certainly have a following. I'd really like to see more concentration on modern styles (like Danish designs for example) that better reflect my family's tastes... and do it in a magazine that provides that exclusively, rather than the odd piece.

Actually, there is such a magazine - Woodwork. It used to be published monthly, but the publisher decided to sell out and it's now published quarterly by the same folks that do American Woodworker. The mag definitely focused on "studio" or "modern" furniture and woodworking art objects. That wasn't to my taste, but I subscribed anyway because you would never find a tool review or a gratuitous "ultimate jig" article. One of the best parts about the mag is that every month there was an extensive article about a professional woodworker that's been successful at it.

There's no telling what the publishers of American Woodworker might do to it, but perhaps there's hope - American Woodworker devolved into a "throw away" newstand mag filled with tool tips, techniques, 80 billion shop-made router table designs, and the like. Perhaps the publishers recognized that they needed a higher-end mag to add to their stable and will leave it alone.

[Jeffrey Makiel]

I'd like to see more contemporary and/or unique designs. There doesn't seem to be as much diversity in style anymore.

The Tauton Press (publisher of Fine Woodworking) published a series of magazine-type books 20 years ago that focused on modern furniture and art. I also have two other books that focus on contemporary design that included construction info. That's about it. Today, they are all out of production, but are still interesting to look at.

-Jeff

[Paul Johnstone]

I think most magazines are targeted more towards the beginner.

I'd like to see some more "advanced" projects. Maybe not in every issue, but on occasion.

Often times, it seems like the same guy is designing every project. The bookcase looks just like the chest of drawers in the previous issue (same technique, sides constructed the same way, etc).

I'd also like some explanation on why they do certain things. Why did they make that side 17 3/8" wide, instead of 16"?

It would be interesting to see a project that required more than a tablesaw, drill press, and router. Even if I didn't have the tools, it would be interesting to read about.

[Bruce Gray]

Actually, there is such a magazine - Woodwork. It used to be published monthly, but the publisher decided to sell out and it's now published quarterly by the same folks that do American Woodworker. The mag definitely focused on "studio" or "modern" furniture and woodworking art objects. That wasn't to my taste, but I subscribed anyway because you would never find a tool review or a gratuitous "ultimate jig" article. One of the best parts about the mag is that every month there was an extensive article about a professional woodworker that's been successful at it.

There's no telling what the publishers of American Woodworker might do to it, but perhaps there's hope - American Woodworker devolved into a "throw away" newstand mag filled with tool tips, techniques, 80 billion shop-made router table designs, and the like. Perhaps the publishers recognized that they needed a higher-end mag to add to their stable and will leave it alone.

I received a letter last week from New Track Media, telling me that Woodwork had been discontinued and that they will substitute American Woodworker for the remaining issues of my Woodwork subscription. That's some offer: providing one of the worst woodworking magazines in lieu of the best !

Bruce

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Buy a dedicated book on what designs you like?

IMO magazines are paid for by ads. The people who put the ads in are influential towards what articles are in there. So the "writers" cater towards whats "popular". I'd say that using a mag for getting designs are hit or miss, most times missing what you may personally like. And even then, only 1 article will be written. Next month will be something different. And most likely something you don't like, if you're looking for a particular style. I'm not saying mags are junk, I'm just saying if you like a particular style, try Amazon and look for a book "antiquated Shaker style cabinets". There may be one!

[Bill Houghton]

So, more than PLANS, I'd like to see more pictures.

Taunton Press, to its credit, tried a magazine some years back, called "Home Furniture," that was exclusively pictures of furniture with short discussions by the makers of their design ideas, how they got there - it varied, but the focus was always design, NOT construction.

Lasted about two years. I don't know why Taunton dropped it, but my strong impression at the time was that they weren't reaching the break-even point of subscribers.

I'd rather see that magazine than the current FWW, which I finished reading the other day in about two or two and a half hours, waiting for my son at a medical appointment.