The Kaufmann Mercantile Guide - by Sebastian Kaufmann & Alexandra Redgrave (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A trusty companion for the slow and thoughtful home, [this book] allows you to experience the singular satisfaction of doing it yourself. Each project, whether caring for cast iron or planting with the seasons, is supplemented with ... tips to inspire and empower"--

Book Synopsis

An information-packed visual field guide to what we ought to know how to do, and what we'd like to learn how to do, from the legendary craftsmanship-focused Kaufmann Mercantile brand.

From the founders of Kaufmann Mercantile, a bespoke curator of well-designed goods, comes this no-nonsense guidebook to living well. Building from a philosophy of slow living with a focus on functionality and quality, The Kaufmann Mercantile Guide is an accessible reference book for the utilitarian in all of us.

This comprehensive field guide to life shares Kaufmann Mercantile's collective expertise on 48 helpful life skills that range from essential know-how--from frying an egg to tying a tie to brewing coffee perfectly--to aspirational expertise--like splitting wood, building a fire, or shucking an oyster.

Organized into five instructional sections, each prefaced by an expert, this handsome coffee table book includes original artwork that visually walks you through each "how-to" step. Browse these sumptuous pages to explore such topics as:

• Kitchen: How to care for cast-iron pans, preserve fresh herbs, and saber a Champagne bottle
• Outdoors: How to master basic knots, fix a flat bike tire, and forage for wild edibles
• Home: How to make natural cleaning products, stock a toolbox, and frame and hang art
• Gardening: How to grow a tomato, save a seed, and build a birdfeeder
• Grooming: How to sew a button and mend a hem, fold a pocket square, and organize a closet

Supplemental sidebars feature the best tool for the job, whether it's top-quality rawhide-and-ash snowshoes, a dibber for planting, or flammable smoking bags for making authentic BBQ.

Amusing, instructive, and endlessly entertaining, this is a well-considered collection of how-to's, perfect for anyone who wants to live a slow and thoughtful life or a gift for men or women who aspire to do so.

Review Quotes

"Forty-eight how-tos that reflect Kaufmann Mercantile's larger philosophy about life. Included are instructions for starting a campfire, repairing a bicycle tire flat, building a lean-to shelter, sewing a button and sabering a bottle of Champagne, along with suggested tools for the jobs." - the New York Times

"It's not always practical to drop our workaday worries for a trip into the woods, so you might find it worthwhile to bring the "simple pleasures" inside. It's also a lot easier. Fording a stream is dangerous; reading about it from the comfy corner of your three-piece sectional is not. But the Kaufmann Mercantile Guide is not merely an SAS Survival Guide for the craft set: caring for raw denim, soap-making, and gutting fish are just a few of the old-timey skills that'll get you through the artisanal apocalypse."
- Amazon Book Review


"This book will empower anyone to take on a do-it-yourself project, as it includes step-by-step guide on everything from cleaning cast iron pans to brewing the perfect cup of coffee to repairing a flat bicycle tire. There are how-to's for kitchen, outdoor, home, gardening, and grooming projects and tasks, meaning your recipient will feel grateful for your gift the next time a dilemma strikes."
- Sports Illustrated Online

"By the purveyors of the masterfully curated online store with the same name, their first endeavor in print is a huge success." --Real Simple

About the Author

Sebastian Kaufmann is CEO and founder of Kaufmann Mercantile. Originally conceived as a blog, Sebastian's strategic vision led the company's growth to a full-scale e-commerce brand, offering the finest-made products from over 300 of the world's best manufacturers in more than 20 countries. The company's dedication to sourcing and selling ethically made and hand-picked items carries across in its careful consideration and selection criteria, as well as its commitment to telling the stories of those who made them.

Prior to founding Kaufmann Mercantile, Sebastian co-founded music video and commercial film production company Draw Pictures, where he helmed the company as CEO. In addition, he founded feature film development company Six Neighborhood Films in 2003.