Craftsmen Architecture and Interior Design

One of the most beloved styles of American homes grew out of what's known as the Arts and Craft Movement of the early 20th century. Lasting from 1905-1930, the roots of the movement stretch back to England with a slight detour towards Japan and then a gradual flowering in California as seen in the explosion of homes that fall into the category called "bungalows."

The movement was seen as a rejection of the machine age and pointed towards a desire for a return to hand-made buildings and objects. Natural materials were employed with a strong dose of aesthetics. The movement wielded a strong influence over architecture, furnishings, and the fine arts that can still be felt today. Frank Lloyd Wright, generally regarded as our most visionary architect was deeply affected by Arts and Craft.

The international flavor can also be tasted in the word "bungalow" itself which originated in India. A "bangla" defined a low slung, thatch-roofed house house surrounded by porches. Kipling commented on bungalow's calling them "about as handsome as a stack of hay." Despite Mr. Kipling's misgivings, songs were written about the bungalow as the basic design mutated into a distinctly American house style that are mostly reflected as humble cottages.

The credit for the eventual proliferation of the bungalow is generally given to two brothers, Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene who combined American natural resources, in this case wood, with English cottages and a nod towards Japanese architecture.

Chances are the brothers saw Asian building techniques at an international exhibits like the World's Colombian Exposition. This one was held held in Chicago in 1893 and included this Japanese "hooden." From the late 1800's until now the arts and crafts movement remains one of our favorite influences on architecture, interior design and our point of view. For a look at how the interior of a Craftsmen architecture style home can be opened up and modernized, scroll down to the bottom of the article.