Arts and Crafts Style

A friend of mine, visiting our neighborhood for the first time, commented how wonderful it was to see such diverse architecture in our homes.  Truly, one of the best parts of living in Rosslyn Farms is that each home has its unique characteristics.

Many of our homes display more than one style, but Arts and Crafts is prevalent in both pre-war and even later built homes in the Farms.  The style actually started in Victorian England in about 1860 when two men - John Ruskin, an art critic and the artist William Morris – founded the British Arts and Crafts movement.  Both men disliked Victorian decoration and they advocated simplicity in color, pattern and design.  Their ideal was a rustic cottage in a natural setting.  They also disliked the rise of the factory and machine made items and encouraged artisans who made objects by hand.

In the 1890’s, the style crossed the pond and American architects, artists and designers began to take up the style.  Some of the earlier interpreters of the style are very recognizable names.  Gustav Stickley, who founded the Stickley Brothers furniture company, edited Craftsman magazine and published house plans and interior designs for this ideal house, the bungalow.  Elbert Hubbard, founder of Roycroft Studio, was best known for hammered copperware.

Architects carried the style to the Midwest where they called it “Prairie School” and on the West Coast, “Mission.”  One of the most famous Prairie School architects was Frank Lloyd Wright.  Just visit Fallingwater and you will see these influences.  In California, Charles and Henry Greene added inspiration derived from Spanish missions.

The key element of Arts and Crafts design was simplicity.  Furniture was stripped down to plain, square lines showcasing the beauty of the wood.  Construction details – tenons, hinges and upholstery studs – were the decorative elements.  The same was true of other decorative items, especially pottery.  Grueby in Boston and Rookwood, made in Cincinnati helped to popularize the style as did tile makers such as Moravian Tileworks in Pennsylvania. (Note: The Cincinnati Art Museum has an outstanding collection of Rookwood.)    The designers drew inspiration in color and motif from nature – landscapes, mountains, pinecones, animals, flowers and leaves.  The colors were mainly earth tones – muted shades of green, brown, yellow, blue and deep reds.  By 1910, Arts and Crafts was the preeminent style in the United States and it continued to be strong until about 1930.  Those dates seem to coincide with many of Rosslyn Farm’s homes built in this style.

Then the style disappeared for a while until – according to some research – Princeton University held a large exhibit of Arts and Crafts design.  A new generation of collectors and designers emerged.  Also, the preservation and restoration movement spiked an interest in the bungalow home.

Fortunately, many companies reintroduced or adapted patterns of the decorative arts.  Some still had the original molds and screens for textiles and wallpapers.  If you are searching for the proper designs to complement your Arts and Crafts style home, there are many companies to recommend.  Some of my favorites for wall coverings and fabrics are Schumacher, Bradbury and Bradbury’s border stencils and Sanderson’s William Morris collection; Rejuvenation, for lighting, hardware and kitchen and bath fittings; and Stickley for some of the finest collections of furniture. 

Many of our neighborhood homes feature fireplaces and mantels in this style. The hearth was more than just an interesting feature in the room.  It was integral to the Arts and Crafts philosophy of home. Tile is one of the most beautiful examples of Arts and Crafts design.  Ceramiche Tile in the West End carries Motawi, who produces true handcrafted tile in rich glazes and matte finishes.

For those of you who are lucky to live in Arts and Crafts home, or for those who are passing by one of them, I hope you have a new appreciation of the warmth and coziness of this important American decorative style.