Craftsman bungalows are attractive and popular.
The Craftsman Bungalow is a simple style of house that originated in the early 1900s and was an outgrowth of the Arts and Crafts movement which emphasized simple style and function with stylized detail. The Craftsman style emphasized a connection with nature and an appreciation of the work of the common man. Craftsman colors include earth tones for painted surfaces and simple stains for unpainted wood. Does this Spark an idea?
Exterior Colors
In keeping with the natural theme of the Craftsman style, exterior colors were inspired by the colors of the world around. Houses were constructed in brick or stone or had clapboard siding that was painted or stained. The roof was often slate in color or actual slate in much of the country with terracotta tiles in the West and Southwest. Sunrise and sunset hues were common but in muted shades that blended with natural surroundings. Muted greens, browns, grays and slates were used on the exterior along with the natural colors of the brick and wood. There was gentle contrast between painted siding or bare brick and the gutter, window and porch railing. Paints were often in the same hue (color) but a shade or two lighter on the trim. Shutters were often painted a third gentle color to give a bit of interest.
Interior Colors
The natural theme continued inside the home. The colors of the vegetable garden were a common inspiration. Muted green, beige, blue and purple appeared on walls with a great deal of wood trim. The most favored wood was oak, often with warm reddish stains, which was especially true in California where red oak dominated as part of the Mission style. In the Prairie segment of the Craftsman style, darker stains prevailed.
Upholstery, Curtains and Rugs
During the Arts and Crafts era, many fabrics had intricate multi-colored patterns. Craftsman textiles tended to simplify the design with stylized, almost cartoon-like patterns. Textiles were of warm, subtle colors. Heavy, formal drapery fabrics were abandoned in favor of simple curtains of cotton in gentle colors. Upholstery fabrics carried on the muted color theme. Rugs were favored over wall-to-wall carpeting, and rugs often carried stylized patterns that tied the colors of the room together. Throw pillows and lap rugs provided welcome spots of deeper color with highlights of antique gold, dark blue, russet or rose.
Furniture Colors
Furniture was stained wood, often oak, with matte or semi-gloss finishes. The stains were transparent and medium to dark, bringing out the natural grain of the wood. There was an absence of intricate carving or turning. Furniture was sparsely upholstered, allowing the natural wood to show as much as possible. There was moderate padding under the upholstery. Leather upholstery stained in mid to dark reddish hues was common on chair seats and backs. The leather had a matte finish and was almost never black. Sofas or "settles" were also often upholstered in leather, but with wood still showing.
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