Crafting a Story on a Man’s Art

BOOKS

As seen by its champion, Gustav Stickley, the Arts and Crafts style was almost a way of life. Here’s its manifesto, as proclaimed loudly in Stickley’s then-influential magazine, Craftsman, which spread the movement beginning in 1901:

“We have set before ourselves the ideals of honesty of materials, solidity of construction, utility, adaptability to place and aesthetic effect.”

That movement is the focus of David Cathers and Alexander Vertikoff’s “Stickley Style: Arts and Crafts Homes in the Craftsman Tradition” ($40, Simon & Shuster, 1999), a comprehensive study of Stickley and the furniture and other design elements epitomizing the Arts and Crafts look. The authors point out from the start that Stickley and his followers were out to demolish the fancy, often unapproachable Victorian ideal popular at the time, replacing it with simple all-American lines, almost always done in regional woods.

There’s quite a bit on Stickley’s history, with details on his lesser-known brothers who also had influence in creating the family business and philosophy. But the book always returns to the furniture, which may seem austere to some but represents understated class and workmanship to its admirers.

Book Goes to Seed

Most gardeners reach for containers of flowers or vegetable plants when they visit the nursery to create a garden. Those tiny seed packets? Forget it. Too much work.

But Linda D. Harris says otherwise. Her book “Growing Seeds! Starting from Scratch” ($13, Fulcrum Publishing, 1999) concedes that beginning with seeds takes some effort, but the experience is worth it.

The 87-page book gives details on all the steps to go from small, boring seed to beautiful flowers in a vase or nutritious vegetables on the plate.

THE WEB

Take the Sting Out of Spring Spring is here and that means more time in the yard and (if you’re lucky) around the pool. If you have babies or toddlers, it’s also time to take precautions. The nonprofit Health-Center.com (https://site.health-center.com) is a valuable resource for safety essentials.

Once at the home page, click the family link, then the one for toddlers. Sections include baby-proofing your yard for pool, pet, plant, sun, insect and other hazards. For instance, the site notes that not only paved or inflatable pools but almost anything holding water can be life-threatening. Buckets, tubs and old tires should be emptied because babies can drown in small amounts of water.

When it comes to most insect stings, apply calamine lotion. But with bees and wasps, place an ice cube inside a damp cloth to the injury. Also, keep your toddlers’ fingernails short so they can’t scratch bites. Finally, know if your youngster is allergic to any stings.

As for the sun, reduce exposure. But if your baby does get burned, apply cool washcloths to the area or give a cool bath. Child-strength acetaminophen can relieve pain. And, of course, call your doctor.

* To have a book or Web site considered for this column, send information to: Home Design, The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Mark Chalon Smith can also be reached by e-mail at mark.smith@latimes.com.