Furniture Design and Construction for the Interior Designer

C h r i s t o p h e r N a t a l e
Furnituro
Dosign
and

construction
for the
Intorior
Dosignor
Furnituro
Dosign
and

construction
for the
Intorior
Dosignor
Fairchild Books
Ncw York
caatsTorasa NATAts
Tc ArL InsLiLuLc o Phocnix
DirccLor o Salcs and AcquisiLions: Dana MclLzcr-BcrkowiLz
FxccuLivc FdiLor: Olga T. KonLzias
AcquisiLions FdiLor: 1oscph Miranda
Scnior DcvclopmcnL FdiLor: 1cnnicr Cranc
ArL DirccLor: Adam B. Bohannon
AssociaLc ArL DirccLor: Frin FiLzsimmons
ProducLion DirccLor: Cingcr Hillman
Scnior ProducLion FdiLor: FlizabcLh MaroLLa
ProjccL Managcr, DcvclopmcnL: PaLricia Shogrcn, CFX Publishing Scrviccs
ProjccL Managcr: 1c Homan
CopycdiLor: Nina HnaLov
Covcr Dcsign: Mark Suh
Covcr ArL: iSLockPhoLo
TcxL Dcsign and Pagc ComposiLion: Andrcw KaLz
IllusLraLions and phoLographs: ChrisLophcr NaLalc
CopyrighL :oo Fairchild Books, A Division o Condc NasL PublicaLions, Inc.
All righLs rcscrvcd. No parL o Lhis book covcrcd by Lhc copyrighL hcrcon may
bc rcproduccd or uscd in any orm or by any mcansgraphic, clccLronic, or
mcchanical, including phoLocopying, rccording, Laping, or inormaLion sLoragc
and rcLricval sysLcmswiLhouL wriLLcn pcrmission o Lhc publishcr.
Iibrary o Congrcss CaLalog Card Numbcr: :oo8::8
ISBN-: ,8--66,-6-:
CST R oo:
PrinLcd in Lhc UniLcd SLaLcs o Amcrica
TPo
v
FxLcndcd ConLcnLs vii
InLroducLion :
Part I: Tools for Dosigning Furnituro
i SLylcs o FurniLurc j
z Tc Dcsign Proccss :
j MaLcrials: Woods and McLals
q 1oincry ,
j Finishcs j:
Part II: Dosigning Furnituro for Iiving Spacos
6 Dining Room FurniLurc Dcsign :::
y Bcdroom FurniLurc Dcsign :
8 Iiving Room FurniLurc Dcsign :8:
q Homc O cc FurniLurc Dcsign io
io Dcsigning OLhcr Picccs o FurniLurc ii:
Clossary i:
Indcx i6j
AbouL Lhc AuLhor i,
contonts
vii
InLroducLion :
Dcsign Philosophy
Tcaching Philosophy
AcknowlcdgmcnLs
Part I: Tools for Dosigning Furnituro
i SLylcs o FurniLurc j
Major FurniLurc SLylcs TaL Inucnccd Amcrican Dcsign :o
Gothic :o
Elizabethan :o
Renaissance :o
Pilgrim ::
Jacobean ::
Louis XIII ::
Louis XIV ::
Early American ::
William and Mary :i
Queen Anne :i
Louis XV :i
Louis XVI :i
Colonial :
Georgian :
Pennsylvania Dutch :
Bxtondod contonts
viii [ FxLcndcd ConLcnLs
Chippendale :
Adam :
Hepplewhite :
Federal :
Sheraton :
Empire :
Shaker :
Biedermeier :
Victorian :
Arts and Crafts :6
Art Nouveau :6
Art Deco :6
Mid-Century Modern :6
Scandinavian Design :,
Typcs o FurniLurc :8
Chairs :8
Sofas i:
Desks i
Dressers i
Dining Room Cabinetry i
Tables i
Bedroom Furniture i,
ChapLcr ProjccL and Quiz i8
Project i8
Quiz ij
z Tc Dcsign Proccss :
Human Frgonomics i
Programming 6
SchcmaLics: SkcLching ,
FxLcndcd ConLcnLs [ ix
Dcsign DcvclopmcnL o
DraLing o
Drafting in Orthographic Projection i
Isometric Drawing
Perspective Drawing
Creating Shadows in Perspective ,
Marker-Rendering j
ConLracL AdminisLraLion o
FvaluaLion :
ChapLcr : ProjccL and Quiz :
Project :
Quiz
j MaLcrials: Woods and McLals
Hardwoods and SoLwoods 6
Vcnccrs 6i
Plywoods 6
Dimensions of Plywood 6
Fibcrboard 6
Medium-Density Fiberboard 6
High-Density Fiberboard 6
WhcaLboard 6
Bcndcr Board 66
IaminaLc 68
McLal 6j
Ferrous Metals 6j
Nonferrous Metals ,o
ChapLcr ProjccL and Quiz ,:
Project ,:
Quiz ,
x [ FxLcndcd ConLcnLs
q 1oincry ,
Basic Typcs o Wood 1oincry ,6
Butt Joint ,6
Loose-Tongued Joint ,8
Rabbet Joint ,8
Dado Joint ,8
Edge-to-Edge Joint ,j
Tongue-and-Groove Joint 8o
Loose Tongue-and-Groove Joint 8o
Mortise-and-Tenon Joint 8o
Trough Mortise-and-Tenon Joint 8:
Wedged Mortise-and-Tenon Joint 8:
Loose-Wedged Mortise-and-Tenon Joint 8i
Dowel Joint 8i
Biscuit Joint 8i
Finger Joint 8
Dovetail Joint 8
Buttery Joint 8
Bridle Joint 8
Lap Joint 86
ChapLcr ProjccL and Quiz 8,
Project 8,
Quiz 88
j Finishcs j:
Prcpping Lhc Piccc ji
Wood Finishcs j
Pigment Stains j
Glaze j6
Paint j6
FxLcndcd ConLcnLs [ xi
Oil j,
Clear Coats j8
Wax jj
McLal Finishcs :oo
Oxidation Process :oo
Heat Treated :oo
Abrasive Finishes :oo
Powder Coat :o:
Basic FurniLurc Hardwarc :oi
Door and Drawer Pulls :oi
Door Catches :o
Glides :o
Shelf Supports :o6
Casters :o6
ChapLcr ProjccL and Quiz :o,
Project :o,
Quiz :o8
Part II: Dosigning Furnituro for
Iiving Spacos
6 Dining Room FurniLurc Dcsign :::
Dining Tablc ::i
Table Parts ::i
Table Types ::8
Dining Chair :i
Upholstery :i
Chair Back Construction: Zigzag Spring or
Sinuous Wire Spring :i,
BucL :i,
xii [ FxLcndcd ConLcnLs
Door and Cabinet Hardware :o
Custom Design and Modular Design ::
China CabincL :
Wine Rack :8
Pic Sac or Food Cupboard :j
ChapLcr 6 ProjccL and Quiz :o
Project Residential dining table with leaves :o
Project Pedestal dining table ::
Project Dining chairs ::
Quiz :i
Bcdroom FurniLurc Dcsign :
Bcd :,
Headboard and Footboard :o
Platform Bed :
Daybed :
Trundle Bed :
Commercial Headboard :
Antique Beds :6
NighLsLand :,
Drcsscr and ChcsL o Drawcrs :6o
Highboy :6i
Armoirc :6
TV IiL :,i
Standard TV Lift :,i
Flat-Screen Lift :,
ChapLcr , ProjccL and Quiz :,6
Project Modular Design: Bedroom Set :,6
Project TV Lift :,,
Quiz :,,
FxLcndcd ConLcnLs [ xiii
8 Iiving Room FurniLurc Dcsign :8:
Cocc Tablc :8i
Fnd Tablc :8
Soa Tablc :86
FnLcrLainmcnL CcnLcr :88
Armoire-Style Entertainment Center :8j
Wall Unit Entertainment Center :jo
Corner Cabinet Armoire :j:
Bifold Door :j
Giant-Screen TVs :j
Soa and Iovc ScaL :j
Ioungc Chair :j,
Chaisc Ioungc :j8
OLLoman :jj
ChapLcr 8 ProjccL and Quiz ioo
Project Living Room Set ioo
Project Large Furniture Problems ioo
Quiz io:
q Homc O cc FurniLurc Dcsign io
Tc Dcsk io
Kneehole Desk io
Secretary Desk io
Rolltop Desk io
Modular-Style Desk io6
Creating a Dramatic Look with a Simple Design io6
Hotel-Style Desk ioj
O cc Chair i::
Filc CabincL i:i
Bookcasc i:
Bookcase/Curio Cabinet i:
xiv [ FxLcndcd ConLcnLs
ChapLcr ProjccL and Quiz i:6
Project Desk Design i:6
Project Bookcase Design i:,
Quiz i:8
io Dcsigning OLhcr Picccs o FurniLurc ii:
Drop Ica Tablc iii
Gateleg Table ii
Restaurant-Style Drop Leaf Table ii
Camc Tablc ii
Flip-Top Game Table ii,
Fold-Out Table ii,
Hall Chair ii8
Bcnch iij
BarsLool io
PicLurc Framc or Mirror io
FloaLing Shcl ii
RcccpLion Dcsk i
Basic IighLing FixLurc ConguraLion i
RTA FurniLurc i
ChapLcr o ProjccL and Quiz i
Project Drop Leaf Table i
Project Game Table i6
Project Barstool i,
Project Mirror i8
Quiz ij
Clossary i:
Indcx i6j
AbouL Lhc AuLhor i,

caArTsa z
To Dosign
Procoss
1nis cntr1cr wiii show Lhc dcsign proccss as iL rclaLcs
Lo urniLurc dcsign, ollowing Lhc Council or InLcrior Dc-
sign AccrcdiLaLion (CIDA) dcsign proccss guidclincs LhaL
includc Lhc ollowing:
Programming: UndcrsLanding Lhc clicnLs nccds and
problcm idcnLicaLion.
Schomatics: CrcaLing quick skcLchcs and dcvcloping
rough idcas.
Dosign Dovolopmont: DraLing imagcs in scalc,
drawing in pcrspccLivc, and markcr-rcndcring nish
maLcrials.
contract Administration: ConLracL documcnLs and
dcLailing o Lhc urniLurc dcsign
: [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
Bvaluation: UndcrsLanding Lhc uncLion, durabiliLy,
and Lhc cnd uscr.
Tis chapLcr bcgins wiLh a discussion abouL how human
crgonomics dicLaLcs Lhc dimcnsions o dicrcnL picccs o
urniLurc, cxamplcs arc shown. Tcn ollows a sLcp-by-
sLcp proccss or crcaLing simplc skcLchcs, draLs, pcrspcc-
Livc, and nishcd markcr rcndcrings wiLh cxamplc illus-
LraLions o cach sLagc.
Human Brgonomics
Tcrc arc many dicrcnL ways Lo dcsign a piccc o ur-
niLurc. Tis book vicws urniLurc as a piccc o uncLional
sculpLurc. To bc ully uncLional, Lhc piccc musL rclaLc Lo
basic human crgonomics. Frgonomics is Lhc scicncc o dc-
signing objccLs or human usc by maximizing c cicncy
and qualiLy.
For cxamplc, Lhc work suracc hcighL o a dining Lablc
or kiLchcn nook Lablc should bc : Lo o inchcs (scc Fig-
urc :.a). Tis dimcnsion is bascd on Lhc hcighL o a pcr-
son scaLcd in a dining chair. Tc scaL hcighL o Lhc dining
chair is bascd on Lhc popliLcal hcighL, which is Lhc dimcn-
sion rom Lhc oor Lo Lhc hcighL bchind Lhc kncc. TaL
dimcnsion rangcs rom , Lo inchcs or adulLs. Tcsc
Fig. z.ia Tc work suracc hcighL o a dining Lablc or kiLchcn
nook Lablc should bc : Lo o.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
parLicular mcasurcmcnLs arc ncccssary bccausc o human
crgonomics and bccausc o Lhc way onc objccL accLs an-
oLhcr. Tc sizc o Lhc Lablc is bascd on having : inchcs
o minimum spacc or Lhc scaLcd pcrson and 8 inchcs o
spacc on cach sidc, alLhough o inchcs o spacc or Lhc
scaLcd pcrson and : inchcs on cach sidc is prccrrcd
(scc Figurc :.b). Tc : inchcs o minimum spacc or Lhc
scaLcd pcrson and Lhc prccrrcd o inchcs is Lhc samc or
a rccLangular Lablc (scc Figurc :.c). Circular Lablcs havc
dicrcnL issucs whcn iL comcs Lo spacing bccausc a pcrson
scaLcd aL a circular Lablc has a pic-shapcd spacc on Lhc
suracc o Lhc Lablc, Lhus ncccssiLaLing a largcr diamcLcr
Lablc comparcd Lo a squarc or rccLangular Lablc bccausc
Lhc spacc in Lhc ccnLcr o Lhc Lablc is di culL Lo acccss
(scc Figurc :.d).
Fig. z.ic Tc : o minimum spacc or Lhc scaLcd pcrson and a prccrrcd o is Lhc samc or a rccLangular Lablc.
Fig. z.ib Tc sizc o Lhc Lablc is
bascd on having : o minimum
spacc or Lhc scaLcd pcrson and 8
o spacc on cach sidc, buL o and
:, rcspccLivcly, arc prccrrcd.

Fig. z.io A dcsks hcighL is similar Lo LhaL o a Lablc. Fig. z.id Circular Lablc wiLh a pic shapc o spacc on Lhc Lablc suracc
and hard-Lo-acccss spacc in Lhc ccnLcr o Lhc Lablc.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
Similar Lo Lablcs, Lhc hcighL o a dcsk should bc : Lo
o inchcs. Onc main considcraLion whcn dcsigning a dcsk
is Lhc armchair LhaL will bc uscd wiLh iL. Tc hcighL o
Lhc armrcsL nccds Lo bc lowcr Lhan Lhc boLLom o Lhc Lop
drawcr, a basic rulc is Lo havc aL lcasL inch o clcarancc.
Tc plan vicw dimcnsions o a dcsk can vary, Figurc :.c
shows Lwo basic sizcs or a dcsk. (Plan vicws arc discusscd
laLcr in Lhis chapLcr, in Lhc sccLion DraLing in OrLho-
graphic ProjccLion.)
Bcds arc dcsigncd bascd on sLandard maLLrcss sizcs.
Tcsc sizcs rangc rom crib (:8 : ), Lwin ( , ),
ull ( , ), quccn (6o 8o ), king (,6 8o ) up Lo
Lhc largcsL maLLrcss, Lhc Caliornia king (,: 8 ). Tc di-
mcnsions o sLandard maLLrcss sizcs includc lcngLh, which
is bascd on Lhc hcighL o a pcrson, and widLh, which is
dcsigncd or ciLhcr onc or Lwo pcrsons. (Scc Figurc :.:.)
Tc dcpLh dcpcnds on Lhc manuacLurcr, Lypically, a maL-
Lrcss comcs wiLh a box spring LhaL adds Lo Lhc ovcrall
dcpLh. Tc box spring is an upholsLcrcd ramc, on Lop o
which Lhc maLLrcss is posiLioncd and which Ls bcLwccn
Lhc bcds rails, ooLboard, and hcadboard. Tc LoLal hcighL
rom Lhc oor Lo Lhc Lop o Lhc maLLrcss rangcs rom :o
Lo o inchcs.
A common misLakc wiLh sLudcnLs drawings is incor-
rccL proporLions, such as making Lhc LablcLop hcighL Loo
Lall. Onc way Lo sLarL visualizing dimcnsions o an objccLs
work suracc hcighL, or cxamplc, a dining Lablc, is Lo basc
Lhc proporLion on somcLhing you mighL alrcady know
LhaL is sLandardizcd, such as cabincLry. KiLchcn cabincLs
Fig. z.z MaLLrcss sizcs.
6 [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
arc 6 inchcs in hcighL, and baLhroom cabincLs arc Lo
6 inchcs. A dining Lablc hcighL is : Lo o inchcs. Whcn
you sLarL Lo skcLch, visualizing Lhc objccLs spacc will hclp
Lo dcvclop Lhc corrccL proporLions. Tc drawing in Figurc
:. shows Lhc dimcnsions o a kiLchcn cabincL and a baLh-
room vaniLy cabincL.
Programming
Tc dcsign proccss sLarLs wiLh programming, which mcans
undcrsLanding Lhc clicnLs nccds and idcnLiying any pos-
siblc problcms. Tc rsL sLcp is Lo lisLcn Lo clicnLs and dc-
ciphcr Lhcir idcas, wanLs, or nccds. Tis is also Lhc parL
o Lhc proccss during which Lhc dcsigncr can brainsLorm
idcas wiLh Lhc clicnL so LhaL cvcryonc is on Lhc samc pagc
rom Lhc bcginning. SomcLimcs clicnLs may bc vaguc in
whaL Lhcy wanL or Lhcy may havc so many idcas and sLylcs
LhaL Lhc dcsigncr will nccd Lo cdiL Lhc idcas inLo a clcar
vision.
Fig. z.j FlcvaLion vicws o a kiLchcn and baLhroom cabincL.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [ ,
Schomatics: Skotching
Tc schcmaLic parL o Lhc proccss is abouL dcvcloping
rough idcas by crcaLing quick Lhumbnail skcLchcs in ronL
o Lhc clicnL so LhaL Lhc dcsigncr and Lhc clicnL can sLarL
Lo visualizc Lhc idcas. OLhcr skcLching can bc donc Lo dc-
vclop idcas urLhcr by adjusLing Lhc proporLions o clc-
mcnLs and dimcnsions.
SkcLching is a quick way Lo crcaLc and modiy idcas.
Using a pcncil, you can crcaLc lighL lincs showing Lhc ba-
sic shapc o a piccc Lop, lcgs, drawcrs, and so on. Tcn
you can draw on Lop o Lhc skcLch wiLh a darkcr linc whilc
alLcring Lhc proporLions and dimcnsions Lo changc Lhc
look o Lhc piccc. Tcsc iniLial skcLchcs should bc quick
and loosc Lhumbnail gcsLurcs, abouL Lo inchcs Lall and
widc, crcaLcd wiLhouL worry abouL crasing misLakcs. To
changc Lhc dcsign, crcaLc anoLhcr Lhumbnail skcLch. Dc-
signcrs oLcn skcLch bcLwccn :o and o Lhumbnails Lo crc-
aLc a dcsign. Tcsc skcLchcs cach Lakc abouL o scconds Lo
a minuLc. Tc advanLagc o crcaLing mulLiplc Lhumbnails
is LhaL you can oLcn scc parLs in dicrcnL skcLchcs LhaL
you can combinc or Lhc nal Lhumbnail. Tc Lhumbnails
in Figurc :.a show how quickly an idca can dcvclop, sim-
ply by using a sLylc as an inucncc. Tc rsL imagc shows
a gcomcLric basc crcaLcd by drawing Lhrough Lhc objccL Lo
hclp kccp iL round, Lhcn changing how Lhosc parLs arc ar-
rangcd or Lhc oLhcr dcsigns.
Fig. z.qa NighLsLand wiLh an ArL Dcco inucncc.
8 [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
SkcLching Lhc sidc vicw hclps Lo show Lhc propor-
Lions o Lhc objccL. Tc imagc in Figurc :.b was markcr-
rcndcrcd wiLh basic Loncs. Using basic Loncs can bc an im-
porLanL parL o Lhc skcLch whcn conLrasLing maLcrials or
colors nccd Lo bc shown. You do noL nccd Lo show dcLail
Lo gcL your poinL across Lo a clicnL or buildcr. Figurc :.b
Look abouL minuLcs Lo complcLc.
SomcLimcs a clicnL may havc di culLy sccing a Lhrcc-
dimcnsional objccL likc urniLurc as a aL skcLch and will
nccd Lo scc Lhc volumc o Lhc piccc. Tis can bc donc
airly casily by crcaLing Lhc ull volumc o Lhc objccL and
Lhcn subLracLing Lhc spacc. Figurc :. shows a Lhumb-
nail skcLch wiLh a doLLcd squarc around iL. TaL squarc
is Lhc LoLal volumc LhaL Lhc Lhrcc-dimcnsional objccL will
sLarL wiLh. Figurcs :.6a Lo sLarL wiLh a LransparcnL cubc
skcLchcd in :-poinL pcrspccLivc and Lhcn usc Lhc propor-
Lions o Lhc cubc Lo add Lhc dcLail o Lhc objccL. Tc nal
Lhrcc-dimcnsional skcLch is markcr-rcndcrcd wiLh basic
Loncs. IL is sLill a quick drawing Lhis objccL Look abouL
Lo , minuLcs Lo complcLcly rcndcr.
Fig. z.qb Tc ronL and sidc vicws o Lhc nighLsLand.
Fig. z.j Hand skcLch o a nighLsLand in clcvaLion vicw.

Fig. z.6a Tc LoLal volumc skcLchcd as a

LransparcnL cubc.
Fig. z.6d A curvc is crcaLcd by subdividing
Lhc basc in a rccLilincar ashion by bringing Lhc
vcrLical dashcd lincs down rom Lhc sidcs and
across Lhc basc. Tis crcaLcs a sLarL, middlc, and
cnd or Lhc curvc, and iL will givc Lhc curvc Lhc
corrccL proporLions.
Fig. z.6o Tc rcsL o Lhc curvcs arc drawn
bascd o Lhc original curvc Lo show Lhc Lhick-
ncss o Lhosc maLcrials.
Fig. z.6b Tc basic proporLions o Lhc Lop and
basc arc drawn. NoLc Lhc basc is drawn as Lhc
ooLprinL rsL bccausc iLs a smallcr iLcm and
doscs noL cxLcnd Lo Lhc cdgcs.
Fig. z.6c VcrLical dimcnsion is addcd Lo Lhc
ooLprinL.
Fig. z.6f Final Lhrcc-dimcnsional skcLch wiLh
dcLail addcd.
o [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
Dosign Dovolopmont
Oncc Lhc skcLching is donc iL is Limc Lo dcvclop Lhc idca
inLo a mcasurcd drawing, ciLhcr by manually draLing Lhc
imagc or by using Lhc compuLcr. Tis will vcriy Lhc pro-
porLions o Lhc piccc, and by draLing Lhc piccc in scalc iL
will bc possiblc Lo cnsurc LhaL iLcms such as a Lclcvision
will L inLo Lhc piccc. AL Lhis poinL, Lhc dcsigncr can also
rccrcaLc Lhc piccc in a pcrspccLivc in ordcr Lo show iL in
Lhrcc dimcnsions as wcll as crcaLing markcr rcndcrings Lo
show Lhc nish maLcrials and Loncs.
Drafting
DraLing is a grcaL way Lo Lransorm a Lhumbnail skcLch
inLo a mcasurcd working drawing. Tis is whcrc you may
nccd Lo adjusL your proporLions bascd on human crgo-
nomics and how Lhcy may accL Lhc piccc. A basic archi-
LccLural scalc rulcr is all you nccd Lo draw Lhc piccc wiLh
Lhc cxacL proporLions o Lhc piccc LhaL will bc builL.
UndcrsLanding an archiLccLural scalc rulcr is simplc. Tc
rulcr crcaLcs a scalc acLor dcpcnding on which sidc o Lhc
rulcr you usc. Tis givcs you Lhc abiliLy Lo draL an imagc
wiLh cxacL proporLions and dimcnsions. Tc rulcr mcas-
urcs ccL on onc sidc and up Lo : inchcs on Lhc oLhcr.
Tc scalc acLor is givcn by a numbcr in Lhc Lop corncr.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
FurniLurc Lypically is drawn in -inch or -inch scalc. Dc-
Lails can bc crcaLcd in largcr drawings such as in -inch
scalc. (Scc Figurcs :.,a Lhrough c.)
Ovcrscas urniLurc manuacLurcrs usc Lhc mcLric sys-
Lcm. McLric scalc rulcrs arc complcLcly dicrcnL rom
Lhc archiLccLural scalc, which uscs a scalc acLor o inch
cquals ooL, o inchcs and uscs ccL and inchcs as iLs
mcasuring uniL. Tc mcLric scalc uscs a raLio such as ::o,
which mcans LhaL Lhc iLcm bcing drawn is :o Limcs smallcr
Lhan Lhc acLual iLcm. Tc mcLric sysLcm brcaks down Lhc
mcLcr (m) inLo cqual parLs o Lcn, or dccimcLcrs (dm). Tc
dccimcLcr is dividcd inLo cqual parLs o Lcn, or ccnLimcLcrs
(cm). Tc ccnLimcLcr is dividcd inLo cqual parLs o Lcn, or
millimcLcrs (mm). Tc bcsL way or sLudcnLs who arc noL
uscd Lo Lhc mcLric sysLcm Lo undcrsLand Lhis is Lo scc a
mcLcr sLick Lo visualizc LhaL Lhcrc arc oocm or ,ooomm
in a mcLcr.
AuLoCAD (a program LhaL allows compuLcr-aidcd dc-
sign) can spccd up Lhc dcsign proccss. IL is a grcaL Lool
or crcaLing working drawings and making changcs Lo
drawings, buL iL is jusL a Lool, likc a pcncil and rulcr. Trcc
main qucsLions abouL using AuLoCAD whcn dcsigning ur-
niLurc arc:
What scalo to print at? Tc scalc should bc a - Lo
-inch scalc, and dcLails can bc crcaLcd in vicw porLs
aL -inch scalc. Tc imporLanL Lhing is LhaL Lhc scalc
is largc cnough Lo clcarly scc whaL is going on in Lhc
dcLail.
Fig. z.ya SLandard rulcr.
Fig. z.yb = -o scalc rulcr.
Fig. z.yc = -o scalc rulcr.
: [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
How should tho drawing bo formattod? FurniLurc
should bc prinLcd in orLhographic projccLion wiLh Lhc
plan vicw abovc Lhc ronL clcvaLion and Lhc sidc clcva-
Lion Lo Lhc righL o Lhc ronL clcvaLion, Lhc samc way iL
would bc i iL wcrc manually draLcd.
What aro tho corroct lino woights? Typically, a
hcavy linc wcighL (.) is uscd or Lhc ouLsidc cdgcs,
and a Lhinncr linc wcighL (.) is uscd or inLcrior dc-
Lails such as drawcrs and doors. Hiddcn linc wcighLs
should also bc Lhinncr (. or .o).
AuLoCAD also comcs in dicrcnL vcrsions and is up-
daLcd cach ycar. Tc ycar is addcd Lo Lhc namc o Lhc
program, or cxamplc, AuLoCAD:oo8. I you do noL plan
on drawing in Lhrcc dimcnsions, a lighL vcrsion, or IT, is
availablc: AuLoCAD:oo8IT.
Drafting in 0rthographic Projoction
OrLhographic projccLion involvcs draLing a Lhrcc-dimcn-
sional objccL likc urniLurc in aL lcasL Lhrcc aL vicws.
Tcsc vicws arc plan vicw (Lop vicw), ronL clcvaLion (ronL
vicw), and sidc clcvaLion (sidc vicw). Tc basic ormaL or
an orLhographic projccLion is a plan vicw LhaL lincs up
abovc Lhc ronL clcvaLion, and a sidc clcvaLion LhaL lincs
up Lo Lhc sidc o Lhc ronL clcvaLion. (Scc Figurc :.8.)
OLhcr vicws LhaL can bc shown arc dcLail vicws and scc-
Lion vicws. DcLail vicws arc crcaLcd whcn Lhc orLhographic Fig. z.8 Fxamplc o AuLoCAD orLhographic projccLion.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
drawing docs noL show small dcLails likc cdgc or molding.
I nccdcd, a largcr scalcd imagc is crcaLcd Lo show Lhc
Lhickncss o maLcrials or a prolc o an cdgc dcLail, or cx-
amplc. A sccLion vicw is Lhc drawing LhaL rcprcscnLs Lhc
insidc consLrucLion o Lhc piccc. In oLhcr words, Lhc vicw
is as i somconc cuL Lhc piccc in hal, showing Lhc insidc
dcLails. (Scc Figurcs :.a and :.b.)
Onc nal imporLanL noLc abouL draLing is LhaL you
can show Lhc dimcnsions o Lhc piccc o urniLurc and iLs
parLs. Tis can givc a clcar idca o how largc LhaL piccc will
bc and hclps Lo cxplain your dcsign inLcnL and proLccL Lhc
inLcgriLy o Lhc dcsign rom misundcrsLandings during Lhc
Fig. z.qb Fxamplc o a sccLion drawing. Fig. z.qa Fxamplc o an armoirc dcLail.
[ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
abricaLion proccss. From Lhcrc you can crcaLc a parLs lisL
LhaL will spccd up Lhc consLrucLion proccss. Tc dimcn-
sions o urniLurc Lypically arc shown in inchcs (raLhcr
Lhan ccL and inchcs), likc Lhc cxamplc in Figurc :.o
showing Lhc lcg aL o inchcs insLcad o : ccL, 6 inchcs.
Isomotric Drawing
An isomcLric drawing shows an objccL in Lhrcc dimcn-
sions. Tis drawing can bc mcasurcd and drawn rom Lhc
orLhographic projccLion. All Lhc dimcnsions o Lhc piccc
will bc Lhc samc in boLh Lhc orLhographic and isomcL-
ric drawings. Fach sidc o Lhc objccL will bc drawn aL o
dcgrccs, which will show Lhc ronL, sidc, and Lop o Lhc
piccc. Tc vcrLical lincs o Lhc objccL will sLill bc drawn
vcrLically, buL Lhc rcsL will bc drawn aL a o-dcgrcc anglc.
(Scc Figurcs :.a Lhrough c.)
Porspoctivo Drawing
PcrspccLivc displays an objccL as a Lhrcc-dimcnsional
drawing in Lhc samc way Lhc cyc sccs iL in Lhrcc-dimcn-
sional spacc. Tis mcans LhaL Lhc Lhrcc-dimcnsional piccc
will havc a vanishing poinL whcn iL is drawn. Tcrc arc
Lhrcc basic Lypcs o pcrspccLivc drawings: -poinL, :-poinL,
and -poinL pcrspccLivc. Tc Lypc o pcrspccLivc drawing
is bascd on how many vanishing poinLs Lhcrc arc in Lhc
Fig. z.io Fxamplc o dimcnsioning.

Fig. z.iia Fxamplc o a cubc drawn in isomcL-

ric vicw.
Fig. z.iic TaL samc sLool in isomcLric vicw.
Fig. z.iib An orLhographic projccLion o a simplc squarc
sLool.
6 [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
drawing. Tc vanishing poinL is bascd on how Lhc objccL is
posiLioncd. Whcn drawing urniLurc, you should Lypically
usc -poinL or :-poinL pcrspccLivc:
i-Point Porspoctivo: Tis vicw providcs onc vanish-
ing poinL Lo Lhc objccL. Tcrcorc, Lhc ronL o Lhc ob-
jccL will appcar sLraighL-on Lo Lhc vicwcr. (Scc Figurc
:.:.)
z-Point Porspoctivo: Tis vicw providcs Lwo van-
ishing poinLs Lo Lhc objccL bccausc Lhc objccL is now
Lurncd aL an anglc Lo Lhc vicwcr. (Scc Figurc :..)
Fig. z.iz Fxamplc showing solid cubcs abovc, bclow, and on Lhc hori-
zon linc.
Fig. z.ij Fxamplc showing solid cubcs abovc, bclow, and on Lhc hori-
zon linc.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [ ,
Fach pcrspccLivc has basic rulcs, and oncc you undcr-
sLand Lhcsc rulcs you will bc ablc Lo draw anyLhing Lhrcc-
dimcnsionally:
Rulo i: Tc horizon linc rcprcscnLs Lhc vicwcrs cyc
lcvcl.
Rulo z: Tc vanishing poinL or poinLs will bc placcd on
LhaL horizon linc.
Rulo j: Suracc plancs LhaL go rom Lhc ronL o an
objccL Lo Lhc back will bc rcprcscnLcd as a linc in a pcr-
spccLivc LhaL sLarLs aL Lhc ronL and lincs up wiLh Lhc
vanishing poinL.
Fyc lcvcl rccrs Lo how high or low Lhc horizon linc is
placcd on Lhc drawing. Tc highcr Lhc horizon linc, Lhc
highcr Lhc cyc lcvcl o Lhc vicwcr. Tc Lhrcc imagcs in Fig-
urcs :.a Lhrough c show how Lhc objccL changcs whcn
Lhc cyc lcvcl changcs.
croating Shadows in Porspoctivo
Figurc :. shows Lhc sLcp-by-sLcp proccss or crcaLing a
shadow or a cubc in :-poinL pcrspccLivc. Tis is Lhc paral-
lcl mcLhod. SLarLing wiLh a LransparcnL cubc, draw a linc
aL Lhc ronL boLLom corncr, Lhcn rcpcaL Lo Lhc boLLom sidc
and back corncrs drawing parallcl lincs, as shown in sLcp
:. Draw an anglcd linc down rom Lhc ronL Lop corncr
Lo Lhc rsL ground shadow linc. Tis anglc will makc Lhc
Fig. z.iqa Tc horizon linc aL a childs cyc lcvcl.
Fig. z.iqb Tc cyc lcvcl now aL an adulL scaLing lcvcl.
Fig. z.iqc Tc cyc lcvcl now aL adulL sLanding lcvcl.
8
Fig. z.ij Basic cubc wiLh a parallcl shadow.
Fig. z.i6 Basic Lablc wiLh a parallcl shadow.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
shadow shorLcr or longcr dcpcnding on Lhc anglc. RcpcaL
wiLh Lhc oLhcr Lop corncrs crcaLing anglcd lincs parallcl Lo
Lhc rsL anglcd linc, as shown in sLcp . Whcrc Lhcsc lincs
cross, Lhc cnd o Lhc shadow is crcaLcd. Frasc and connccL
Lhc cnd Lo crcaLc Lhc complcLc shadow, as shown in sLcps
and .
CrcaLing a shadow or a piccc o urniLurc looks di -
culL buL is acLually quiLc simplc. (Scc Figurc :.6.) SLcps
Lhrough arc Lhc samc as Lhc cubc. TrcaL Lhc piccc as
a solid objccL wiLhouL dcLail Lo crcaLc Lhc ouLsidc o Lhc
shadow. For dcLail ollow Lhc sLcps shown. SLcp shows
lincs parallcl Lo sLcp :. SLcp 6 is an anglcd linc parallcl Lo
Lhc linc in sLcp . Tcn connccL Lhc lincs as shown in sLcp
,, Lhis is whcrc Lhc cdgcs o Lhc Lop mccL Lhc cnd o Lhc
ccnLcr lcg. Frasc Lhc lincs insidc Lhc shadow ouLlinc, and
Lhc shadow is now complcLc.
Markor-Rondoring
Tc basic rcason Lo usc markcrs is Lo rcplicaLc Lhc nishcd
look o Lhc piccc. Markcrs may Lakc somc Limc Lo gcL uscd
Lo, buL Lhcy arc a asL way Lo show clicnLs whaL Lhcy arc
buying bcorc Lhc consLrucLion sLarLs. WiLh markcrs, Lhc
dcsigncr and clicnL can boLh undcrsLand whaL Lhc piccc
will look likc whcn complcLcd.
TrcaL Lhc rcndcring as a quick skcLch. SLarL wiLh colors
LhaL arc lighLcr Lhan Lhc maLcrial LhaL you arc Lrying Lo
rccrcaLc, as in Figurc :.,. CrcaLing a lighL sourcc will add
Fig. z.iy Fxamplc o a hand skcLch LhaL has bccn rcndcrcd wiLh
Lcchnical pcn, Dark Brown, Frcnch Crcy 6o wiLh Cloud Bluc or Lhc
background.
o [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
Lo Lhc dimcnsion o Lhc piccc. You can do Lhis by using
grcy-Lonc markcrs Lo add shadow cccLs. OLhcr cccLs
can bc crcaLcd wiLh color pcncil, such as adding wood
grain on Lop o Lhc markcr, and highlighLs can bc crcaLcd
wiLh whiLc pcncil or WiLc-OuL.
contract Administration
In Lhis parL o Lhc proccss Lhc dcsigncr documcnLs Lhc
piccc o urniLurc whilc cxplaining Lhc dimcnsions, ma-
Lcrials nish, dcLails o Lhc piccc, and cxpccLcd Limc o
complcLion. Tis documcnLaLion, along wiLh drawings,
is scnL Lo Lhc cusLom buildcr or buildcrs or bids on Lhc
abricaLion o Lhc piccc. TaL cosL o consLrucLion is Lhcn
addcd Lo Lhc documcnLaLion so LhaL iL can bc scnL Lo Lhc
clicnL or approval bcorc Lhc consLrucLion bcgins. Somc
cusLom urniLurc buildcrs will noL dclivcr Lhc piccc Lo Lhc
clicnL, in LhaL casc a dclivcry company nccds Lo bc hircd,
and LhaL cosL musL bc addcd Lo Lhc conLracL.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
Bvaluation
Tc cvaluaLion proccss is Lhc lasL sLagc bcorc Lhc clicnL
Lakcs posscssion o Lhc piccc. Tc dcsigncr should inspccL
Lhc nal piccc Lo makc surc LhaL iL was builL according Lo
Lhc conLracL. Tc dcsigncr also musL cnsurc LhaL iL unc-
Lions Lhc way iL was dcsigncd as wcll as chccking LhaL Lhc
nish maLchcs Lhc samplc. IL is a good idca or Lhc dc-
signcr Lo scc Lhc piccc whcn abricaLion is donc and bc-
orc Lhc nish is applicd. IL is casicr and quickcr Lo x any
problcms and kccp Lhc projccL on schcdulc aL Lhis poinL
raLhcr Lhan waiLing unLil Lhc cnd.
chaptor z Projoct and Quiz
Projoct: To dosign procoss as it rolatos to
furnituro.
rtr1 : sxc1cncs
Directions: Create thumbnail sketches of furniture, using
historic inuences for some of the sketches. Tese thumb-
nail sketches should be in pencil and should t on one or two
sheets of paper. Tey can evolve from one drawing into an-
other and be simple front and side views. Fig. z.i8 Fxamplc o Lhumbnail skcLchcs.
: [ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
rtr1 :: or1nocrtrnic rro+cc1ioN
Directions: Create a drafted orthographic drawing of one
thumbnail idea; make sure it is ergonomically correct and
drawn at scale inch equals foot, inches or inch equals
foot, inches.
rtr1 : rcrsrcc1ivc sxc1cn
Directions: Create a -point perspective sketch of the piece;
add tones with technical pen or markers.
Fig. z.iq Fxamplc o draLcd orLhographic drawing. Fig. z.zo Fxamplc o :-poinL pcrspccLivc skcLch.
Tc Dcsign Proccss [
Quiz
Directions: Circle the best answer choice for each of the
following questions.
:. WhaL is Lhc hcighL o a dining Lablc work suracc`
A. : B. o C. :
i. WhaL is Lhc minimum spacc nccdcd or somconc
scaLcd aL a dining Lablc`
A. 8 B. : C. o
. WhaL is Lhc sizc o a Lwin maLLrcss`
A. o , B. 6 8o C. ,
. WhaL is Lhc sizc o a quccn maLLrcss`
A. , B. 6o , C. 6o 8o
. WhaL is Lhc sizc o a king maLLrcss`
A. ,o 8o B. ,6 8o C. ,: 8
6. WhaL is Lhc sizc o a Caliornia king maLLrcss`
A. ,o 8o B. ,6 8o C. ,: 8
,. WhaL is an orLhographic projccLion drawing`
A. a sidc cuLaway vicw
B. a Lhrcc-dimcnsional drawing
C. a drawing LhaL shows Lop, ronL, and sidc
8. WhaL is an isomcLric drawing`
A. Lhrcc aL imagcs
B. a drawing wiLh a horizon linc
C. a drawing LhaL can bc mcasurcd
[ Tools or Dcsigning FurniLurc
j. Which vicw is Lhc plan vicw o an imagc`
A. ronL B. sidc C. Lop
:o. WhaL docs a sccLion vicw show`
A. cuLaway inLcrior vicw
B. Lop vicw o a piccc
C. sidc vicw o a piccc