The Impractical Cabinetmaker – James Krenov

The Impractical Cabinetmaker: Krenov on Composing, Making, and Detailing. Author, James Krenov

The Impractical Cabinetmaker , by James Krenov, is an ode to his enduring legacy as an extraordinary craftsman. His work has inspired a generation of woodworkers, and his impassioned insistence that one do his very best work is visible in the details of each of his pieces.

In The Impractical Cabinetmaker , first published in 1979, we take a look inside Krenov’s workshop and learn some of his techniques as well as some of his own thoughts about his work. Special attention is paid to detailing how Krenov composes a cabinet directly in the wood, without dimensioned drawings. Three furniture projects are featured in detail: a curved showcase cabinet, a writing table with drawer, and a chess table.

ISBN 978-0-94193-651-4

Paperback, 160 pages