Nomadic Furniture

by James Hennessey
Nomadic Furniture cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Technical
  • ID: 5264
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
bookschatter.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
excellent 4.50

Nomadic Furniture is a unique and innovative book that explores the intersection of design and sustainability. The reviewer appreciates the practical and creative solutions offered, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in eco-friendly living.

Nomadic Furniture is a standout book that delves into the world of sustainable design. The reviewer is impressed by the author's ability to present practical and creative solutions for eco-friendly living. The book is not just a collection of ideas but a comprehensive guide that can inspire anyone to make more sustainable choices. The reviewer particularly likes the emphasis on using recycled materials and the detailed instructions provided for various projects. Overall, it's a book that combines creativity with practicality, making it a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable design.

Quick quotes

    The book is a treasure trove of ideas for anyone looking to live more sustainably.

    The author's approach to design is both innovative and practical.

    The detailed instructions make it easy to follow and implement the projects.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
inspiring 4.00

Nomadic Furniture offers creative and practical solutions for inexpensive, eco-friendly home furnishings. The book provides simple instructions for making various pieces using recycled materials, promoting environmental consciousness and creativity.

Nomadic Furniture is a delightful revisit to the mid-1970s vision of Victor Papanek and James Hennessey, who aimed to empower people to create their own affordable and eco-friendly furnishings. The book is filled with practical instructions for making beds, chairs, sofas, stools, and tables using inexpensive and recycled materials. This approach not only saves money but also lightens a household's environmental footprint. The ideas presented are both creative and practical, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to live more sustainably. The book's lighthearted tone and practical advice make it an enjoyable and inspiring read.

Quick quotes

    They offer simple instructions for making beds, chairs, sofas, stools, and tables, using inexpensive and recycled materials.

    Their ideas open up channels for creativity, as well as for saving of money and lightening a household's footprint.

    This practical, lighthearted approach to living is certainly worth a revisit, in a world where environmental consciousness is quickly evolving.

allartburns.org · Unknown · 2007-10-25
mixed 4.00

The reviewer found the book 'Nomadic Furniture' to be a mixed bag, with some creative and practical ideas for lightweight, mobile furniture, but also some impractical and outdated suggestions. They appreciated the book's emphasis on creativity and adaptability, but felt that it could have been more focused on the needs of hobbyist carpenters and nomads.

The reviewer enjoyed the book 'Nomadic Furniture' for its creative and practical ideas, such as using cinder blocks and pine boards to build lightweight and mobile shelves. They found the book to be a valuable resource for hobbyist carpenters and nomads, as it encouraged creativity and adaptability in furniture design. However, they also noted that some of the designs in the book were impractical or outdated, such as couches made entirely out of cardboard or references to 1970s furniture companies. Overall, they felt that the book could have been more focused on the needs of its intended audience, but still found it to be a worthwhile read for those interested in DIY furniture.

Quick quotes

    Cost of 24 linear feet of 1x12 prime cut pine: $41.68

    This set of shelves I built last week: was originally of my own design, but in the course of investigating various options for my design's specifics, I discovered this book: Nomadic Furniture.

    I think this is a little ridiculous. I'm not sure I know anyone over the age of 10 who would actually want a room built up like this.

    I guess in that sense, the authors' admonitions 'Make it Better!' rings true; and the book is worth thumbing through on that principle alone.

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