The library got a copy of Todd Oldham’s Handmade Modern (his site has zooms of lots of the projects). I know him from his column in ReadyMade, which is kind of hit or miss, but usually fun to look at. The book is pretty good, although I probably won’t make anything from it. Lots of wood veneer, lots of furniture projects. Some textiles. It’s almost as much a design book as anything. Each project is suggestive of some mid-century modern artist or designer, and there are pages about some of the heavy hitters. Although I don’t need any furniture at the moment, the book made me believe I could build myself some (well, given a pretty extensive toolbox, anyway). And not ugly pine dorm furniture either, but stuff I might actually buy.

Speaking of ReadyMade, they finally put the PDFs of the early issues back up for sale. I really wish more magazines would sell back issues this way.