Craftsman house is characterized by large porch and columns and simple design.
A craftsman style home is a reflection of your own personality and style and is characterized by uniqueness, refinement of design and high quality finishes. Inspired by the 'Arts and Crafts Movement' and popularized by Gustav Stickley, a pioneer of the movement, a lot of passion goes into building a craftsman style home. Curator for Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Ray Stubblebine, states that the craftsman style home offers a simple, durable, natural and functional style. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Research & Planning
1. Research the Internet for various craftsman style home plans, pricing and architectural services. Most Internet sites have an option for customizing your own craftsman style home. Ask your friends and family members for recommendations in finding an architect and interview at least three architects that were either highly recommended or found on the Internet.
2. Select an architect with the highest recommendations, number of years of successful building experience and with a personality to match yours. You will be working closely with the architect for several months and it is important to find one that you trust and enjoy working with.
3. Collaborate with the architect to determine the correct square footage that suits your needs, the number and location of rooms in relation to function, the number of windows, doors. Finalize other architectural details that go with a craftsman style house, such as, enclosed entry porch with large linear columns, overhanging eves, exposed rafter ends and clipped gable type roof.
Building
4. Review and discuss architectural plans, such as, the site plan, elevation plan, roof plan, electrical plan, plumbing plan and floor plan with your architect. Study the plans carefully because changes to the plans mean additional expense, time and effort to finish your house. A craftsman style house is built to take advantage of its site or location and uses organic and natural materials in the area. Roof, electrical and plumbing plans use simple design that makes craftsman houses easy to maintain and durable.
5. Select highly recommended and licensed general contractors and subcontractors. If possible, use contractors that your architect might have successfully worked with in prior projects. Your architect can supervise the work and progress of the contractors.
6. Check out local city and county government offices for building permits and requirements. Your architect and contractor will be able to help facilitate this process or obtain the permits for you. Once permits are obtained, construction of your craftsman style house can begin.
7. Once your craftsman house is built, select an interior designer with experience in arts and crafts style. Cabinetry in warm finish, simple light fixtures and hardware invoking the arts and crafts period increase the authenticity of craftsman style. A craftsman house uses space conservatively and creatively with design elements such as built-in bookcases, shelves, window seats, fireside nooks.
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