Furniture

by Judith H. Miller

A glorious encyclopedia from expert Judith Miller, showcasing more than 3,000 years of design. From primitive pieces to elegant modernity, this definitive guide illustrates every style and form, with tips on how to recognise the key elements of each period. Featuring lavish, full-colour photographs throughout. Foreword by furniture designer and manufacturer David Linley. Judith is the ideal expert to guide both amateur and experienced collectors ...' Homes and Interiors

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Interior Design, History, Art History

560 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2005

About the author

Judith Henderson Miller began collecting in the 1960s while a student at Edinburgh University in Scotland. She had since extended and reinforced her knowledge through international research, becoming one of the world’s leading experts in the field. In 1979 she co-founded the best-selling Miller’s Antiques Price Guide and has since written more than 100 books, covering antiques, collectibles, architecture and interior design.

Judith was an expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, and had also appeared on The Martha Stewart Show and CNN. She was a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, including Financial Times, The Telegraph, BBC Homes & Antiques and House & Garden. She lectured extensively, including at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Smithsonian in Washington.
She died in April 2023

Reviews

[Erin Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, holy furniture. This book is packed with all kinds of information about every type of furniture you can imagine, from ancient egypt to modern day. There is no way I could actually read this book; the typeface is about 7 pt and there is a lot of it. That being said, there are aso hundreds of beautiful, full-color images of different types of furniture, so just browsing the book and enjoying the pictures was pretty interesting. For my purposes, it covered way more about furniture in general than I needed and less about antique furniture, but it was an interesting start into understanding what my tastes are.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a DK book where you can learn about furniture art and history.

Beautifully carved furniture from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and ancient Rome has also been preserved in good condition. The 6,000-year-old ancient furniture is a must-see.

Most of the items featured in this book were owned by royalty and aristocrats, so they are highly artistic, and the materials, designs, and carvings are all of high quality and breathtakingly luxurious.

This book makes you feel like you're browsing in a museum.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a woodworker, this is a great reference of design ideas for what's come before. Good sections on Arts & Crafts and mission style, though loads more on all the earlier styles from the 1700s thru modern day.

[Sagaomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

TheClassyHome photos. Great reference book for Furniture.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I would love some of this furniture. Or, more exactly, I would love to use some of these as inspiration to get some pieces built to my own designs. Maybe in another world :) The book offers an overview and some historical and cultural context, but obviously (even for a substantial sized book like this) there is a lot to cover, and one would go to more specific titles for more in-depth treatments of various styles and periods.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in furniture design and history, you'll love it. This is a great book to sit down and pour through it in an evening. It gives a tour of furniture through the ages from ancient Greece to modern day, as well as country by country- very interesting...if you like that sort of thing!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go-to furniture book of knowledge. As with all DK books it is thorough and eye friendly. Wish I had this book when I took "History of Furniture" in college - it is more thorough than the textbook was.

It has only one drawback - it's huge and doesn't fit on the shelf well - but it's never there so it doesn't matter.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb photos. Great reference book.

[Ofismobilyalari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend furniture book. Nice content. Best office furniture product.