Craftsman Aesthetic Exploration

The aesthetic I have chosen to discuss is Craftsmen houses and how they are being restored today. I chose to discuss this aesthetic because growing up a big influence in my design tastes was from hearing my mom talk about Craftsmen houses and the type of intricate workmanship that goes into them. Now, owning a house that shows many of the same characteristics exploring this will further help me decide how I would like to add my own spin to it.

Craftsman house in Los Altos, CA by John Malick & Asso. architect firm.- photography by Carter Seddar and Marina Pinsky [1]

Craftsman houses developed back in the early 1900sin a large part because of the American Arts and Crafts movement [2]. This movement originated in Britain and was largely due to the degraded quality seen during the Industrial Revolution. This house is a recognition in the ability to create high quality handmade products that was not seen during the Industrial Revolution. I would argue that Craftsmen houses allowed for people to have a bigger sense of creative shine through in the houses that were built therefore making people want to put their best craftsmen ship into it.

1911 Craftsman house in Portland, Oregon. -photograph by William Wright [3]

Craftsman houses emphasize the handwork of people over mass production that was seen in the time. These houses are characterized by porches that have thick columns with stone supports in the front and usually have low roofs with triangular brackets and exposed beams. Other common architectural features include shingle roofs, siding, and hand-crafted wood and stonework. This is seen by the close inspection of the photo and the attention to detail in the staircase in both pattern and design as well as the jointed walls.

Craftsman house in Los Altos, CA decorated by KGB Associates as the interior designer. – photography by Carter Seddar and Marina Pinsky [1]

There has been a large effort to restore the original beauty in craftsmen houses while also keeping to the styles of the time. This includes updating kitchens to make the house more open concept as well as knocking down walls. Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry and companies like them have helped people restore their craftsman homes while also allowing for more modern amenities.

Woodwork and artistic details in kitchen by Wood-Mode Cabinetry in their showroom [4]

Although I do love the style of Craftsman, I personally do not enjoy how dark some spaces can seem. As a personal choice, I think that interior wood looks nicer painted if there is a lot of it in one room. Even when beautifully crafted, when wood accents over power a room I think it makes the space too dark and old if it is in certain spaces. I think this is a common recurring feeling seen in some of the younger people beginning to buy older homes. Many people are starting to bring in more color by painting the wood and adding colorful patterned wallpaper. That being said, I think that painting the wood does not detract from the craftsmanship that went into it.

Interior wall by  Vibeke Svenningsen an interior stylist. – photograph by Vibeke Svenningsen [5]

That being said, many people have started to incorporate things seen in craftsmen homes to more modern homes as well. This includes the popularity of having exposed beams in the interior and stonework fireplaces in houses. As well as the popularity of built-ins for storage and keeping spaces clean. Not only are these homes being modeled in newer styles they are also being revamped in new building plans and modular homes that all refer to Craftsman in their names.

links:

[1] https://seddoncc.com/portfolio/craftsman.html

 

[2] https://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7002085714

 

[3] https://www.oldhouseonline.com/.amp/house-tours/inside-a-craftsman-foursquare

 

[4]https://www.wood-mode.com/gallery-by-room/kitchens/craftsman-kitchen

 

[5] https://vibekedesign.blogspot.com/