The Timeless Appeal of Craftsman Design and How It Complements Every Style

This article explores the timeless appeal of Craftsman home design elements and how you can seamlessly incorporate them into any style.

The Craftsman design, originally known as the “Arts and Crafts Movement,” was a social movement in the 1800s that emerged as a response to a highly industrialized society. The movement valued the craft and its maker over mass-produced, machine-made designs. Stylistically, the movement grew in stark contrast to the ornate, highly decorated Victorian designs, offering instead pared-down, honest creations that were in harmony with nature and celebrated for their quality and craftsmanship. In a typical Craftsman home, you won’t find unnecessary or superfluous details; instead, the focus is on function over form, often using locally sourced materials. Today, Craftsman-style homes are cherished for the meticulous workmanship that defines them.

It is also important to note the intersection between boho and craftsman designs. The connection between Craftsman design and modern boho design lies in their shared emphasis on authenticity and a deep appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship. While traditional boho design is more eclectic and embraces a mix of cultures, colors, and textures, it similarly values handmade, one-of-a-kind items that tell the story of its maker. Both styles reject the impersonal, mass-produced aesthetic, and instead favor a more personalized design that feels more in tune to nature. Modern boho and Craftsman designs also prioritize streamlined designs and embrace clean lines, minimal details, and the blend of form and function. Therefore the two styles can be effortlessly blended, and paired together for a look that feels both homey and artful.

Whether you have a Craftsman-style home and are seeking inspiration on how to style it, or you’re someone inspired by Arts and Crafts designs and looking to incorporate Craftsman elements into your bohemian eclectic space, you’re in the right place. Read on for tips on how to blend the best of Craftsman home design into your unique style.

Ways to Incorporate Craftsman Design into Your Home 

Spacious Front Porch

Spacious front porches are an important aspect of Craftsman-style homes. Covered front porches with large overhangs and room for a bench or porch swing are quite commonplace for this type of home. Covered and spacious front porches are a beautiful entry to your home and also act as another living space depending on the size. Style your front porch with elements of your own style, as well as benches, plants, and flush mounts for a welcoming space. 

Large Leaded Windows

Large leaded windows are another element of Craftsman home design that feels pertinent to the home style. These windows with geometric designs add just the right amount of detail. Unlike designs from the previous Victorian era, Craftsman windows favored simpler designs that were simple and not too ornate. The tiny geometric details and just the right amount of stained glass to feel classic and traditional, without being too loud. 

Cedar Shake 

Cedar shake roofing or cedar shake shingles are a timeless, classic choice for a Craftsman house. If you are remodeling an Arts and Crafts home, consider adding cedar shake panels. Cedar Shake shingles are chosen by homeowners for their striking beauty, natural patina, and durability. Followers of Craftsman architecture and design idealize nature and elements that come from nature. While they last 30-50 years, cedar shake panels can withstand many climates, even coastal ones. This option is sustainable, beautiful, and ideal for many climates. If you have the opportunity to add cedar shake to your home, it’s a natural choice for a Craftsman home.

River Rock

Another material that fits well with a Craftsman-style home is natural  river rock. Adding river rock to your home exterior is a wonderful nod to nature and the surrounding environment. Like cedar shake, it’s a nod to nature and the craftsman design ideals that prioritize designing with nature. Especially if you live in a woodsy area, locally-sourced river rock is a great element to add either internally or to the exterior of your home. 

Built-In Wooden Cabinetry

Built-in wooden cabinetry is an important feature in craftsman homes. Craftsman design idealizes workmanship and homes that prioritize function, and as a result, many craftsman homes have built-in furniture like cabinetry and bookcases that are perfect for storing items. These wooden, built-in fixtures are also a great place to decorate and style personal items and knick-knacks. Luckily, built-in shelving or bookcases are an easy DIY that is guaranteed to add value to your home.

Wooden Wainscoting and Wood Trim

Quality woodworking is a craft that was heavily prioritized in craftsman home design, and therefore wooden trim and details like wainscotting or other molding are highly appreciated. Traditional Craftsman homes have plenty of wooden details that feel high quality and share an attention to detail. Wooden wainscotting and crown molding were laborious yet beautiful details that added value and craftsmanship to a space. Consider adding extra wooden molding details to your home to add extra character.

Earthy Paint Colors

Unlike Victorian homes, craftsman homes feel more plain and modest in contrast to Victorian’s ostentatious colors. Craftsman home paint colors favor more earthy colors such as dark greens, navy, browns, and beiges. As craftsman designs are inspired by nature, colors that blend more seamlessly in the nearby environment are preferred. In addition, as Craftsman homes typically have a lot of wood, earthy neutrals pair well with brown wood finishes. Earthy colors like these pair very nicely with other design styles like bohemian design or modern minimalism. 

Tiles

Ceramic tiles in earthy colors are a major marker of Craftsman home design. Tiles were also made by master tradesmen and were revered as they projected a sign of quality. Matte tiles in dark colors like green and brown can be used in a myriad of areas in the home. Ceramic tiles can be utilized around fireplaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. Ceramic tiles are favored due to their beauty and durability. Adding ceramic tiles to areas of your home will make your space feel richer and of high quality. 

Brick

Although brick can be expensive, it’s an excellent choice for Craftsman homes. As a traditional material, brick is valued for its durability, low maintenance, and environmental benefits compared to other options. In the Craftsman design realm, brick is especially revered because its installation requires the skill of experienced masons. Beyond the exterior, brick can also be used inside the home, particularly around fireplaces, built-in ledges, and other architectural features, adding character and craftsmanship to the space

Fireplace Mantles

Fireplaces are a hallmark of Craftsman homes, often serving as the central gathering spot for entertaining and family time. They can be crafted from brick, ceramic tiles, or stone, blending form and function seamlessly. The fireplace mantle not only provides warmth but also offers a beautiful space to display vases, books, candlesticks, and other personalized decor. If your fireplace mantle could use a remodel, consider adding dark green ceramic tiles like the above home for a unique Arts and Crafts touch.

Tiffany Lamps

Tiffany lamps are a quintessential marker of the Arts and Crafts style. These lamps, with a dome or pyramid shade, and colorful, stained glass are widely beloved for their colorful shades, and for their decorated history. Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany Studios produced the first line of Tiffany lamps in the early 1890s before the World Fair in Chicago.

After gaining widespread acclaim for their stunning leaded stained glass, these lamps were mass-produced, introducing some of the first electric lamps to the world. Inspired by world-renowned artists like Monet, these lamps were true works of art, drawing inspiration from natural elements like flowers, plants, and trees. Though once considered old-fashioned or grandmotherly decor, recent generations have reclaimed these lamps, styling them in eclectic ways that highlight their timeless beauty. Tiffany lamps are therefore the perfect decor item to introduce to a boho modern space.

Ceramic Pottery

Hand-crafted pottery by highly skilled artisans was highly valued by followers of the Arts and Crafts movement. Today, handmade ceramics continue to be coveted for their beauty, quality, and for being the perfect blend of form and function. Renowned companies like Heath Ceramics, which has a history dating back to the 1950s, embody the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. This company, in particular, is known for creating honest, timeless ceramic home goods with uncompromising integrity. Consider adding colorful, handcrafted pottery to your home whether it be through vases, platters, or servingware.

In conclusion, Craftsman-style homes continue to be a highly desired home style for many reasons – from the attention to skilled artisans and high-quality materials, to a more simplified design style. Craftsman style homes can be paired with numerous design styles including boho designs and continue to remain timeless and classic. 

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