Arts & Crafts Style The Beauty of Craftsmanship Distinguished by its exquisite woodwork, its linear paneled stained glass and its fanciful tile mosaics, the Arts and Crafts-styled home represents the quintessence of craftsmanship and harmonious design. Originating in the 1880s by William Morris and other architects and designers of that period, the Arts and Crafts philosophy is simple: Have nothing in your house which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
The result is a style we have come to appreciate for its superior use of handworked native materials, p l a y f u l l i n e a r d e s i g n s, a n d s u b d u e d n a t u r a l colors. Focused on praising all things crafted by hand, the Arts and Crafts movement, following in such traditions as the Shaker style and the Southwest Mission style, stands out for its truly practical ideals, creating within its unity a wellcomposed and uniquely time-honored living space. S unlight Fills the Home Open floor plans and an expanse of windows, characteristic of this architectural style, fill interior spaces with an atmosphere of natural comfort. Ambient light fills each room, illuminating the seasonally-inspired hues. Subtle repetition of color and patterns that are evocative of Celtic designs and Asian stylings, are re-interpreted onto stonework, tiles and fixtures bringing a refined yet global perspective to the home. Built-in cabinetry and selectively placed trim at the ceiling, surrounding the windows, and at the base of the wall expand the space and promote its practical feel. Down-to-earth, handcrafted furnishings in rich leathers and stained woods of oak, teak, mahogany, and pine complete the mark and set it apart from other styles. Create an open and relaxing multi-purpose Arts and Crafts space by limiting your furnishings and keeping to a muted, natural palette of colors. Beautiful hardwood floors unify the large space and decor accents coordinated with wall colors complete the room s unity. The Craftsman-quality furnishings, the repeating display of linear elements and the subtle use of colors throughout bring the Arts & Crafts style to life in this living room.
Patterns of simple geometric shapes or floral themes produce calm and serene environments. Horizontal features, such as a long buffet or narrow dining table, extend your living spaces and seemingly make them appear more spacious than they truly are. Add full-length window shutters and spindlelegged tables and chairs to introduce vertical lines that draw your eyes upward and further increase the sense of openness. Interior Accents By decorating with natural colors and functional furniture, rooms become versatile, practical and beautifully cohesive. Hardwood floors and wooden shutters play into the sensible approach of this style. The polished surfaces of the handcrafted cabinetry and shelves highlights of the Arts and Crafts movement serve as perfect backdrops for the period s revival of natural glazes and the rustic beauty of its stoneware. Accent lamps in warm tones and decorated in patterns of stained glass finish off the room and add a touch of its owner s unique personality. The balance of textures is an essential element of the Arts and Crafts style. Geometric patterns stand out best against smooth, deep, dark hues of bark browns, rich bottle greens, or sanguine reds. Accents in complementary textures, such as a soft, wooly throw displayed across a smooth leather chair, exemplify the push and pull of opposing textures and harmony that opposites create.
T he K ey is A rtisanship Beyond its polished woods and innovative design interpretations of natural elements, this style is a showpiece for dark green, blue-green, and earthen-glazed terra cottas and handcrafted tile mosaics. Ceramics and glassware from the 1900s, still available at small-town antique malls, are practical and superb decorative additions to kitchens and dining rooms. Lamps and metal-works, such as the well-known Tiffany and Asian-styled designs, provide the perfect final Arts and Crafts touch. Tiling key architectural elements such as the entryway floor, living room hearth, or the kitchen backsplash will bring these areas increased prominence.
Historically, collections of Arts and Crafts color palettes are comprised of simple but muted earthen colors. Oranges are closely associated with the hue variations of terracotta clays, flora, and fauna. Red tones vary from the soft, rust reds of carnelians to the deep burgundy hues of red wine. Browns serve as base colors to the palette and range from sandy light suedes to deep-tanned hides. Yellows are buttery, cheerful, warm and welcoming. Greens range from the deep cool shades of pine needles to the muted, warm gold-green shades of fall s freshly harvested grains. F rom N ature If your flooring is a warm wood, select a warm earthen color scheme for your walls: a red-orange clay hue as an accent is complemented very nicely by a pale, red-toned neutral on the adjacent wall. Working up and down the scale in one color family, from light to dark, you simplify your task and create a subdued and intimate atmosphere. Add your personal touch with unique, custom-made Arts and Crafts-style fixtures. u Blues call upon the essence of deep lake waters and the light vast sky, and coordinate easily with cast or polished pewter grays. Purples, pale and muted, are drawn from the hues of floral fields, sunsets and shadows. t Create a warm and inviting bedroom by keeping your palette in hues of fall: apply golden yellow tones to your wall surfaces and stain your floors in warm blonde tones. Add accents in deep yellowgreens, caramel browns and rust reds. To select a color palette, first consider the intensity and quality of the light you receive through your windows as well as the material and color of your floor and trim. Remember, the region that you live in and the direction that sunlight enters your home will impact the quality of illumination in your living spaces. Color palettes in a room that receives cool, bright sunlight will be perceived differently than the same color palette in a room that is exposed to warm, glowing sunlight.
Arts and Crafts Is About You In P erfect Harmony However carefully you have decorated and accessorized your home with authentic Arts & Crafts pieces, it s important to include elements that reflect your own personal style and tastes. No matter what your style influences are, whether you are influenced by a Southwestern motif or drawn to the simplicity of Japanese design, the choice is ultimately yours. borrowing from Celtic, Southwestern or Asian patterns, the Arts and Crafts design imparts a timeless and polished charm centered on simplicity and innovation. Arts and Crafts is not just a style; it is a design philosophy that focuses on the beauty and harmony in each element of nature. Because it adheres to key Arts and Crafts principles, it is through this disciplined approach that a reassuring calm not present in other styles is created. The perfection of its polished, glazed, and cast crafts is meant to express the creative potential of human skill. With this in mind, keep your living space open, functional, and beautiful that is the Arts and Crafts philosophy.