9 Beautiful Craftsman Touches

Embrace an Arts and Crafts design element or two to give your home natural appeal without a full-on overhaul

Summer Baltzer July 13, 2013

Houzz Contributor. I'm passionate about improving lives through design and have contributed to over 100 episodes of TV as a co-host and designer for HGTV's "Design on a Dime" and TLC's "Unhinged. I am currently working on my Master's Thesis with a special focus on design for early childhood development and am loving every second of it!

Houzz Contributor. I'm passionate about improving lives through design and have contributed... More

Comment38

Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog.

Sandwiched between art nouveau and art deco chronologically, the American Arts and Crafts movement revolted against the mass production of home goods and the overcomplicated design style of the Victorian era. This design era favored originality, craftsmanship, simple forms and local and natural materials.

The Arts and Crafts movement thrived from 1901 to 1925, and included well-known designers such as Gustav Stickley, Greene and Greene, and Frank Lloyd Wright. These designers wanted to bring nature closer to the average person with a type of architecture that put function first and explored beauty through materials and construction.

Many of the forms and principles of the Craftsman movement are still close to our hearts today, and they live on in interior and exterior designs. Discover nine ways to give your home a little Craftsman flavor below.

SV Design

1. Simplicity. Clean lines and simple silhouettes are key with this design approach: The materials should always take center stage. Straight lines show off strength, character and top-notch craftsmanship.

Get this look: Craftsman style works well in an authentic setting or in a transitional home with Craftsman elements added here and there. Feel free to sprinkle bits of Craftsman style around your home — just pay attention to straight lines and uncomplicated pieces, and stay away from heavily turned or ornate forms.

Conrado - Home Builders

2. Straightforward statement lighting. The uncomplicated yet elegant lighting of this era mostly was composed of glass, iron and bronze in basic rectangular or square shapes.

Get this look: To honor the simplicity of the time, look for pieces that have a clean silhouette. Many of today's pendants, chandeliers, sconces and lanterns (like the ones in this photo) can add a Craftsman element to any space.

Deep River Partners

3. Hand-crafted tiles. Hand-crafted elements were an important part of Craftsman style, particularly in tile work. Tile vignettes often included multiple solid-colored tiles of the same color, tiles illustrating scenes from nature, or a mixture of solid and decorative tiles with a nature-inspired relief.

Get this look: Craftsman tiles once sold for just 90 cents each, but today these authentic tiles can go for more than $150 each. Reproduction tiles tend to be the best bet for the budget conscious. Alternatively, try to find a local craftsman to replicate the look you're going for.

Morava Glass Studio

4. Stained glass. Natural light played a major role in Arts and Crafts homes, and stained glass satisfied both form and function. The windows acted as small, lone details or as larger statements — like a banner over a large picture window.

Get this look: Rather than installing a new stained glass window, consider introducing stained glass in a less permanent way. Room dividers, wall art and even lighting can integrate stained glass in subtler and more affordable ways.

5. Hardware. Simple hardware, like cupboard turns, pulls, rectangular beveled door plates and switch plates were introduced as contrast against the natural wood in the home. Copper, bronze, cast brass and wrought brass were often used in polished, patinated, oil-rubbed or hammered finishes.

Get this look: You can actually find this hardware style at many home stores today. Geometric copper and bronze fittings can help give your home a subtle Craftsman look. However, specialty turns, hinges or tacks might have to be specially ordered.

Craftsman Living Room Craftsman Living Room

6. Fireplaces. Most Craftsman homes had a central fireplace. Stone or tile surrounds (in nature-inspired hues) topped with large wooden mantels created a grand focal point. Traditionally, these fireplaces were flanked by built-ins to create an inglenook (or chimney corner).

Get this look: Adding a large wood mantel to your existing fireplace can give your home a touch of Craftsman style. Aim for something simple and structural that shows off the wood's natural beauty — like the mantel in this photo.

Christian Gladu Design

7. Breakfast nooks. Formal Victorian kitchens (which predated the Craftsman era) were designed only for preparing meals — usually done by hired help. Kitchen activities were hidden from the dining room and living room. However, Craftsman homes embraced the kitchen as the home's main hub. Eat-in kitchens and breakfast nooks allowed families to gather in the space at any time of day.

Get this look: Banquettes look great in eat-in kitchens and use space wisely. This particular breakfast booth and its banquette stick to the straight lines of Craftsman style. But don't worry; you can soften your seating with a cushion or two.

Gardner Architects LLC

8. Natural flooring. Craftsman homes generally stick to wood and stone floor finishes. Persian, Indian and Turkish rugs often anchored spaces, providing texture and warmth.

Get this look: If money prevents a major installation, limit new flooring to smaller spaces or a few select, important rooms in your home. You can also introduce bits of Craftsman style with stone and wood furniture pieces and a showstopping rug from your local import store.

Sarah Greenman

9. Built-in furnishings. Built-in Craftsman furniture added to the beautifully crafted and clean aesthetic that defined the period, and also helped make the homes truly functional. Window benches, sideboards and ample storage of the period were beautiful and efficient.

Get this look: Many of today's tract and custom homes are built with interesting niche areas that present the perfect opportunity for a cabinet or bench. If you're looking to save a few dollars, try buying in-stock shelving or a bench and adding your own moldings for that built-in look.

More: Browse thousands of photos of Craftsman designs