A Craftsman-style bungalow.
The Craftsman (or Arts and Crafts) Movement in the late 19th and early 20th century was a direct reaction to the excesses of the Victorian era. It highlighted simplicity in design and décor. Craftsman bungalows were functional and furnished sparingly with plain but well-crafted pieces designed for practicality. Large windows with simple treatments highlighted nature, and focal points were built into the architecture rather than added later. Does this Spark an idea?
Architectural Details
Wood paneling and exposed ceiling beams were hallmarks of Craftsman decor, paying homage to both the beauty of wood over plaster and paint and highlighting the craftsmanship needed to build a functional yet beautiful home. The artisans of the movement felt that the rooms should stand on their own rather than depending on paintings and photographs hung on the wall, which could encourage clutter and detract from the home's craftsmanship.
To evoke this feeling in your own home, start by installing wainscoting. Remove ceiling tile to expose rafters or hang box beams, which are lighter than solid wood but give the same appearance. You also could Install square, wooden columns to delineate rooms, opening the space.
In a Craftsman bungalow, built-in benches, window seats, book cases and cupboards eliminated the need for too much furniture, which could clutter rooms. You can achieve a similar look by adding floor-to-ceiling bookcases and placing simple cupboards and armoires against the walls. If you have a fireplace, buy matching benches to place on either side. Add a long, flat steamer trunk under a window and add cushions on top for a cozy window seat.
Windows in a Craftsman home were large with wide moldings and sills in dark stains. Reflect this look in your home by replacing the trim around your windows with some that is 4 or 5 inches wide and cut square at the edges, rather than mitered. Finish the trim with a dark stain.
The floors in a Craftsman bungalow were wood, generally oak. If your home doesn't already have oak floors, pull up your carpet and install solid-wood floors or manufactured floors, such as Pergo, that have the appearance of wood.
Furniture
Craftsman- or Mission-style furniture had clean lines and was designed to be serviceable rather than stylish. It was well-crafted and sturdy, featuring wooden, slatted frames topped with thick, leather cushions. Any ornamentation was simple rather than ornate. Chests of drawers often featured brass pulls, while end tables and lamps might have copper highlights.
Desk and floor lamps bases were often crafted from wrought iron and featured leaded glass shades.
To furnish your home with Craftsman style, look to home-furnishing companies such as Stickley Furniture, which got its start during the Arts and Crafts Movement and manufactures the same furniture designs today. Also visit flea markets and antique shops with an eye toward finding a Morris chair or Craftsman couch that simply need a little TLC.
Fabrics
Fabrics in a Craftsman-style home were most often woven, natural fibers. Jute, linen and flax were used as simple window treatments. Left untreated, they reflected the beiges and sands found in nature, but they were sometimes dyed in muted greens and yellows. Furniture, when not covered in leather, sported cushions upholstered in canvas.
To evoke this style in your home, mix pieces slip-covered in linens or canvas with some upholstered in leather. Drape a heavy linen throw in a soft green color over a chair back or make your bed with linen sheets and pillow cases. Hang simple, off-white tab curtains on wooden dowels at your windows.
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