Interior Design Style – Craftsman

In this part 4 of the series on interior design styles, I will be covering the Craftsman design style. If you have been following the series, then you have already read about the Traditional style, Mid-Century Modern, and the Transitional design style.

The Craftsman style became a popular choice in housing design during the early part of the 20th century. It reached its peak somewhere around the 1920s, and then lost momentum drastically, with many of these homes coming from a Sears catalog. However, this style saw a surge once again during the end of the 20th century, and has maintained a relatively high volume through today.

Craftsman Design Style – Exteriors

(Craftsman Exterior by Charlotte Home Builders stirling group inc)

Once you have been exposed to a Craftman style home, there are certain identifiers that are clear giveaways to the design that cannot be missed or mistaken for any other style. The exteriors of a Craftsman house has several of these identifiers. One of these most commonly seen identifiers is the use of tapered columns, usually resting on a platform of bricks or stone.

(Craftsman Porch by Columbus Architects & Building Designers Andrew Melaragno)

Another beautiful aspect of the Craftsman home is the expansive steps leading to a front porch. Most of the time, these porches are quite large.

(Craftsman Porch by Denver Architects & Building Designers Lawrence and Gomez Architects)

This is a beautiful example of a Craftsman porch. Notice in this example that the columns do not rest on bricks or stone, but instead sit directly on the porch itself.

(Craftsman Porch by Claymont Design-Build Firms WW Builders Design/Build Associates)

Craftman homes commonly have deep eaves and exposed rafters. They also frequently display gabled roofs with knee braces. The knee braces may be functional in nature, providing support for the gabled roof, or they may be purely decorative.

(Craftsman Entry by Palo Alto Architects & Building Designers Tali Hardonag Architect)

A classic styled Craftsman door is a show piece in and of itself. These doors feature a ledge that is usually trimmed out with dentil molding. Above the ledge is a window divided into lites, usually three but sometimes six. Below the ledge, the door boast three panels.

These doors are gorgeous with just a stained finish, but  can create quite a statement when a bright paint color is added.

Craftsman Design Style – Interiors

The interiors of a Craftsman home exudes craftsmanship. With materials that consist of woods and natural stones, these homes shout strength and stability. The attention to detail is shown in the art of the structure. You will not find ornate embellishments here, but embellishments are not needed. The intricate craftsmanship is more than enough to create a show place.

(Craftsman Kitchen by Bend Architects & Building Designers Christian Gladu Design)

The Craftman style brought informality and family togetherness into the kitchen. Gone are the formal kitchens of the Victorian style. In its place is the eat are kitchens that frequently boast a banquette area.

(Craftsman Living Room by Grand Meadow General Contractors Seavey Builders, Inc.)

Materials in a Craftman consists of wood, stone, and tiles. The wood is generally Oak; however, a few other types of wood are acceptable, as well. This wood is used throughout the home – covering walls in board and batten, providing flooring and trim, and constructing the cabinetry.

(Craftsman Dining Room by Pasadena Home Builders HartmanBaldwin Design/Build)

Leaded glass and stained glass windows are common place. These features are also carried into the rooms of the house by way of glass door bookcases and built ins.

(Craftsman Kitchen by Edina Design-Build Firms w.b. builders)

Almost all Craftmans will have a built in book case of some sort. Generally, they will reside next to the fireplace. Othertimes, they will serve as room dividers resting beneath the same type of  tapered columns that can be found on the exterior.

(Craftsman Living Room by New York Architects & Building Designers Katie Leede & Company Studio)

Although, a traditional Craftman shows off its abundance of oak wood, finished out in just stain only, today’s Craftmans have begun to incorporate painted woods into the mix. Here, someone has updated the oak with a dark shade of paint.

(Craftsman Dining Room by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman)

But, today’s Craftman more often have a lighter painted finish throughout. This allows a wood other than oak to be used during construction.

(Craftsman Dining Room by Seattle Architects & Building Designers Tim Andersen Architect)

Here, while the trim and molding of the house have been painted in a bright white, the oak element has still been incorporated into the design by using oak furniture and flooring.

Final Thoughts

The Craftman home is a popular choice for DIYers who wish to purchase a fixer upper. It also is much loved by many seeking new construction. To have an authentic Craftsman, stick to these feature details, and you will be happy. However, a unique personal touch can be added quite easily  with  finishing and decor.

So, what do you think? Love it or hate, is this style for you?