52 boxes in 52 weeks

Accomplished woodworker Matt Kenney set himself the challenge of designing and building one box a week for one solid year. Along the way he created a wonderful collection of simple wooden boxes, refining his unique design aesthetic and developing smart techniques for making gracefully elegant boxes that woodworkers of all levels will be eager to build. Readers will first learn some fundamental box-making techniques that are applicable to almost every box in the book: matching grain at the corners; cutting mitres; making tops and bottoms; and finishing a box (with shellac, sometimes highlighted with milk paint). In a second general chapter, Kenney reveals some universal design principles that can be used as guidance as you develop your own design aesthetic. The heart of the book is the 52 featured boxes, each of which is presented with full-colour photos and details as well as relevant construction techniques. Unlike most other books on box making, the focus isn't just on building the box but also on design. You'll learn that design and construction go hand in hand as you choose construction techniques that complement your design aesthetic so that you build a box that harmonizes with its design.