The Healthy Woman

The Rodale organization here gives us a new series of woodworking projects that will occupy the home carpenter/craftsperson for many weekends. The editors have assembled six groups of American colonial-style furnishings projects that aren't as quick or as easy to complete as our projected fantasies of fast-forward lifestyle promises--but fulfillment seems more likely with the simple and direct designs provided by this book. Some of the original elegance of colonial design, granted, has fallen by the wayside, but changes have generally been made for good reasons. Adjustments to available lumber sizes and the use of modern materials such as routers and electric tools are all dealt with in a realistic fashion. There's even a recipe for milk paint that's reasonably practicable. Modern mail-order sources can bring us most of the materials needed for practicing this craft. Of the 40 craft items featured, some have lost their original function, such as pie safes and cobbler's benches, but can fill in as coffee tables and storage cabinets. If you find such countrification too affected, you may still take interest in the many furniture designs, children's toys and down-to-earth chests. Clear directions take the craftsperson from birdhouses to bigger challenges. (Mar.)