Now compare with "measured drawings" of colonial furniture, and you'll find out why you don't want to copy them.
I think the "standard" for bathroom fixtures and kitchen counters is due for an upward revision. Or perhaps it's my aging back.
>
> >I recently obtained a copy of _Working Wood: A Complete Bench-Top
> >Reference_ by Jim Tolpin (ISBN0-87192-301-7)
> >
> >There is an interesting section on "standard" dimensions for a large
> >number of furniture objects, including cabinets (casework), 20 types of
> >tables, 16 types of chairs and sofas, and 24 types of desks and office > >furniture.
> >
> >There are also tables of dimensions for averge men and average women,
> >when standing, such as eye level, elbow height, countertop height and
> >dimensions when sitting. I many cases he gives the dimensions for people
> >in wheelchairs too.
> >
> >For diningroom tables, he gives the space needed per place setting, the
> >general proportion (width = 5/8 of lenght), distance from bottom of
> >apron to floor, etc.
> >
> >There is lots of good information here for designing or for changing a > >design. > >
> As there is in the AWI and AIA specs that he took them from.
>
> Architectural and Graphic Standards is a weighty and costly book but
> is a great resource for a maker of fittings and furniture.
>
> Older copies, which contain most of the useful data concerning
> ergonomics and standardization, can be had for a few dollars.
>