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 THE
CRAFTSMAN HOUSE
Solid & Secure - Warm & Inviting
Such are the words that
describe-what has become the "comfort food" of American
residential architecture - the Craftsman home.
Beginning in the 1920's, the look of
America's homes took a turn from the ornate
elegance of high Victorian design to a simpler,
understated style known as Arts and Crafts
or Craftsman. These homes were characterized
by stalwart proportions that accentuated
a certain earthiness in their character,
both outside and in.
The
Craftsman's sturdy appearance was typically wrought by wide, overhanging
eaves with exposed rafters or decorative brackets, deep porches
with block tapered pillars and a variety of materials including
split wood shingles, shake siding, brick. stone, slate, stucco
and clapboard. Double hung windows were the norm. often with
a multi-light upper window over a single pane. Stained and leaded
glass were also used, but with less extravagance than in Victorian
predecessors.
Interiors were more open
and flexible than the Victorians' segregated rooms-with clean-lined
design, thickly fashioned trim and built-in cabinets, nooks, window
seats and inglenooks.
Today, with many buyers choosing homes
with less square footage and more
character, it's
not surprising that the Craftsman style is enjoying a tremendous
resurgence in popularity. A Craftsman home's unique details appeal
to our desire to express ourselves in an individual way. Quality
materials provide a feeling of stability and permanence. And in
a fast-paced and sometimes stress-filled world, these quaint. historic-looking
homes beckon us with their sense of tranquility and security.
Ironically, while the style
originated in protest against mass-produced. factory made homes
and furnishings, today's modern technology makes executing the
style more economical. Cultured stone creates a dynamic textural
base at a fraction of the cost of natural stone. New steel and
concrete products mimic traditional wood shake shingles, Several
major manufacturers now offer Craftsman style windows, doors and
lighting fixtures.
With their simple, classic
lines and rich details, today's Craftsman style homes offer a timeless
appeal that will always be in good taste.
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