The old saying, "Everything old is new again," certainly applies to the Craftsman ethic. Originally a "revival" of pre-industrial production methods, the concept periodically enjoys renewed interest and fashion. Does this Spark an idea?
History
The Arts and Crafts movement began at the end of the 19th century as a reaction against ornate Victorian style and its heavily machined detail and mass-produced furniture. Like the agriculturalists, the Arts and Crafts movement advocated a return to a simpler time.
Identification
The Adirondack chair was invented near Stickley's New York workshops.
Wisconsin-born Gustav Stickley gave the style its name with his magazine "The Craftsman" and his designs for buildings and furnishings. The Craftsman style is characterized by hand-hewn woodwork, built-in cabinetry and natural themes.
Features
Handmade and printed fabrics, plain furniture in quarter-sawn oak or cherry and subtle, "natural" colors typify the Craftsman home. Nature themes often prevail in art and decoration; the pine cone is a common motif.
Considerations
Although Arts and Crafts is a recognizable style, it mixes well with any style that features handcrafting, natural materials or functionality. Contemporary styles like Art Nouveau, Mission and Prairie also fit in Craftsman interiors.
More Ideas
The American movement was contemporary to the European "Glasgow school." Rennie Mackintosh- and early Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired furnishings fit nicely into Craftsman style homes.
Tags: Arts Crafts, Arts Crafts movement, Crafts movement, Craftsman style