Creating a Theme Environment

Arts and Crafts (Prairie Style, Bungalow Style)- 1880-1930

The history of Arts & Crafts is grounded in craftsmen in both England and North America incensed by the lack of quality found in early machine-made furnishings. As the Industrial Revolution caused families to leave their rural settings and move to the cities, living accommodations were difficult and lives harsh. Decorative articles mass-produced for emerging working class were shoddy and poorly made. The Arts & Crafts followers believed that by returning to an appreciation for finely crafted  objects, a return to rural values would be possible. The simplicity and craftsmanship of the Shaker Style and re-industrial Japanese art were prized and collected The Swedish Country style has many parallels to the Arts & Crafts movement as well. The underlying emphasis is simplicity of line, geometric ornamentation and handcrafted elegance.

Emerging out of the Arts & Crafts styling, yet retaining its basic tenets, is what is known as "The Prairie School of Design" founded by a group of Chicago area artists who based their ideas and principals on early 1889-1910 work of Frank Lloyd Wright.

As an outgrowth of the Craftsman Era, Wright created homes that integrated the surrounding landscape, creating some of the most famous residences in North America. His strong Midwestern roots led to Prairie homes appropriate for cold winters with low roofs, long overhangs and intricate, hand-made, leaded-glass windows used in place of drapes. In contrast, California bungalow homes were (the exception is the architecture of Green and Green in Pasadena, California) catalog-ordered homes. These houses demonstrated an appreciation for the millwork and architectural detailing of the Midwestern masters by creating smaller scale and simplified molding details.

Cabinetry/Millwork was plain, solid-wood furniture arranged in a functional manner. The furniture is large in scale, simple in design, and constructed of oak. Great care was taken to showcase the grain of the wood, the methods of joinery and hardware. Arts & Crafts designs often use cherry in place of oak today.

Hardware: Almost any brushed finish or metal, other than brass work well. Intricately patterned metal work provides an authentic accent.

Countertops: Materials and other surface areas emphasize the inherent natural qualities, i.e.m, the strength of natural stone, the depth of highly glazed, multi-colored porcelain pottery, and the matte finish of rough earthenware-type materials.

Colors: Warm colors, golden yellow, soft green. Colors based on natural dyes, such as earth tones drawn from Indigo blue. Greens from every hue drawn from nature.

Surfaces:

• Floors: Plain or geometric patterns used in slate, tile or wood would be appropriate. Consider introducing American Indian patterns or other handcrafted items. In this style, true linoleum or vinyl in vintage patterns in matte finishes would be very authentic as well.
• Walls: Typical fabrics and wall coverings are leather, wood and linen in solid colors and block printed cotton with stylized floral patterns and strong geometric repeats.
• Ceilings: Decorative light fixtures, stained glass shaded from the Tiffany era, simple glass Mission pieces or decorative Art Nouveau pieces all blend beautifully.
• Accents: Adjacent furniture pieces are always welcome in an Arts & Crafts room. Shaker baskets and Japanese ceramic and metal crafts would certainly be appropriate.