Craftsman style elements are distinctive.
Craftsman style is a type of residential architecture found extensively in California. Featuring distinctive interior and exterior style elements, craftsman homes are highly sought after and often duplicated. Elegant yet understated, craftsman style incorporates handmade features and an eclectic mix of natural materials. Original or traditional craftsman style abhors duplication, so you won't find two authentic homes that are exactly alike. Does this Spark an idea?
Background
The term "craftsman" refers to the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. An answer to Victorian style, which had dominated for decades, craftsman architecture favored a simultaneously simple and intricate design. The first craftsman homes appeared in California in the early 1900s, designed by architects and visionaries including Greene & Greene, Gustav Stickley and Harvey Ellis, though examples can be found all around the United States.
Exterior Characteristics
Craftsman homes are usually bungalows. They are low-to-the-ground, single-story buildings with low, gabled roofs and a large, partially-enclosed porch. Some feature a partial upper story or full second floor. Wood exterior details often include exposed beams, decorative rafters and rustic siding. Traditional craftsman homes include a porch with a brick, stucco or sided base and tapered posts. Archways and decorative foundations are common elements. Earth tones are popular choices, as craftsman style includes a lot of natural elements such as wood, stone and brick.
Interior Characteristics
Built-in cabinetry, bookcases and wood floors are common interior craftsman style elements. Small kitchen and bath spaces reflect the simplicity of the early 20th century. Wide door and window trim, often stained rather than painted, creates a custom, earthy feel. Decorative beams, wainscoting and other wood elements along walls and around fireplaces, shelving and archways exemplify the level of detail given to even the most mundane interior features. A traditional craftsman color scheme includes muted shades of green, orange, brown and white.
Windows and Doors
Intricate windows and doors decorate the exterior of craftsman homes. Multi-pane, stacked windows are common, some divided by trim in various thicknesses. One large window is often surrounded by several smaller, latticed windows that may include one or more stained-glass panes. Dormers add variation to shingled roofing, providing spaces for window seats or attic storage. Exterior doors are seldom seen without some adornment; they are usually paneled with elaborate trim and are often flanked by decorative windows.
Tags: craftsman homes, style elements, 20th century, craftsman style, early 20th, early 20th century