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Out of a breezy beach cottage on Martha’s Vineyard to most beautiful farmhouse in Mississippiwe are big fans of casual living spaces here at Country life. And if there ever was a type of housing that dispenses with formality, then it is Craftsman style houses.
“The style was a reaction to the extravagance of the fancy Queen Anne-style homes that were popular in the late 20th century, when things were mass-produced and maximalism was all the rage,” explains the preservationist and co-host of the HGTV show Who’s afraid of a cheap old house? Elisabeth Finkelstein. “Designers of Craftsman-style homes took the opposite approach. Everything should appear intentional and handmade – even if it really wasn’t – and be in harmony with nature.”
Read on to learn more about Craftsman homes, including their history and key design features.
The history of Craftsman-style houses
As turn-of-the-century creatives became increasingly frustrated with the inferior quality of the factory-made pieces of the Industrial Revolution, as well as the cluttered style of the Victorian and Art Nouveau aesthetics, a new school of design thought emerged, the Arts & Crafts movement. The Arts & Crafts aesthetic represented a return to older ideals, favoring clean lines, natural materials, and handcrafting.
Although the name Craftsman is generally attributed to Wisconsin-born furniture designer Gustav Stickley, who promoted the movement in the United States with his magazine The craftsmanThe residential architecture style first emerged on the West Coast. As architectural historian Virginia Savage McAlester writes in A field guide to American housesThe American Craftsman-style houses were “primarily inspired by the work of two Californian brothers – Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene – who worked together in Pasadena from 1893 to 1914.”
Built in 1908, its now iconic Casino is one of the grandest examples of this style, but it was the brothers’ more modest single-family bungalows that inspired the Craftsman-style house plans that spread across the country in the 1920s. (In fact, many such plans were included in Stickley’s magazine, and some historians believe that only these examples can be called true Craftsman plans.)
Key Design Features of Craftsman Homes
In contrast to vertically oriented Victorian and overly accentuated The TudorsCraftsman-style homes are typically horizontal dwellings with flat gable roofs and minimal ornamentation. Their most defining feature, however, is probably the porch. “Nothing beats the strength and grandeur of a Craftsman porch!” says Elizabeth. “They are always so deep and magical, like worlds of their own, and the porch columns are always so heavy and stable.”
Other important external characteristics often include:
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Overhanging eaves, underlined by deliberately exposed consoles or rafter ends
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As mentioned above, spacious front Verandas supported by thick beams that taper towards the top. The beams often, but not always, stand on brick or stone pillars that reach down to the house foundation.
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Earth tones Paints for exterior painting (think of sage Greensdusty Shades of brownand golden Yellow)
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Large bay or panoramic windows
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A modest 1- to 1 ½-story frame, although there are certainly larger Craftsman models
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A clapboard, stucco or shingle facade, although brick craftsmen are often used in the Midwest
Craftsman interior design
If you ready to say goodbye to the open floor plan and want to be in tune with the world around you, the cozy spaces of a Craftsman home are just the thing. “The interior design of Craftsman-style homes had the goal of bringing nature indoors,” says Elizabeth. “Nature was a big influence here, which means the wood was always natural (unpainted) and the shapes were simple and streamlined.”
In a Craftsman you will often find:
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Separate rooms for separate functions, often separated by sliding doors
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Lower coffered ceilings
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Thick wooden paneling around door frames and windows
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Built-in elements such as cabinets, BookshelvesAnd Window seats
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A focal point Chimney They are usually found in the living room or dining room and, if you’re lucky, are surrounded by eye-catching ornamentation. “The huge decorative clay tiles from this period are one of my favorite details on old houses,” says Elizabeth.
Craftsman vs. Bungalow
Although the terms may be used interchangeably, they really shouldn’t be. Craftsman refers to a style of architecture, while a bungalow is a type of small house. So there can be a Craftsman bungalow, but a Craftsman can also be a more grand residence. (Doesn’t a Craftsman farmhouse sound absolutely gorgeous?) Likewise, there are bungalows that aren’t in the Craftsman style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I capitalize Craftsman?
Yes. If you refer to Craftsman as an architectural style, the term is capitalized. If you use the word as a general description, it is not capitalized.
Why is it called a Craftsman house?
As already mentioned, the name is derived from Gustav Stickley’s magazine of the same name. The term is intended to honor the handiwork of the carpenters – true craftsmen of their trade.
What makes a house a Craftsman home?
The quickest way to spot a Craftsman from the street is by its overhanging eaves supported by brackets and a wide porch supported by thick beams.
Where are Craftsman homes most commonly found?
Southern California and the Midwest.
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