Understanding the Roots of Craftsman Style Homes
The Craftsman architectural style emerged from the British Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, flourishing in North America between roughly 1900 and 1930. This movement was a reaction against the perceived excesses of the Victorian era and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and mass production.
Proponents of the Arts and Crafts movement championed traditional craftsmanship, the use of local and natural materials, and design that was both beautiful and functional. They believed that homes should be built with honesty and integrity, reflecting the skill of the artisan rather than the efficiency of the factory. This philosophy deeply influenced the design of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
In America, the style was popularized by figures like Gustav Stickley, through his magazine The Craftsman, and architects like Charles and Henry Greene in California. Stickley advocated for simple, well-built furniture and homes that homeowners could afford and appreciate, emphasizing comfort and harmony with nature. The Greene brothers elevated the style with elaborate, highly detailed wood craftsmanship, particularly evident in their iconic California bungalows.
The core principle was to create a home that looked as though it belonged to its environment, using materials found in nature and exposing structural elements rather than concealing them. This focus on visible craftsmanship and natural beauty became the hallmark of the style, clearly defining the look and feel of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
Key Exterior Features of Craftsman Homes
The exterior of a Craftsman home is instantly recognizable due to a consistent set of design elements that reflect the core principles of the style: robustness, natural beauty, and visible craftsmanship. These features work together to create the distinctive, welcoming presence of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
Iconic Rooflines
One of the most defining characteristics is the roof. Craftsman homes typically feature low-pitched roofs, often with broad, overhanging eaves that provide shelter and emphasize the horizontal lines of the house.
Gable roofs are common, sometimes multiple gables, potentially with exposed rafters or decorative brackets visible beneath the eaves. Dormer windows are also a frequent addition, breaking up the roofline and adding light to upper stories.
Inviting Front Porches
A large, welcoming front porch is almost synonymous with the Craftsman style. These porches often span the full width of the front facade or a significant portion of it, acting as an outdoor living space and a transition zone between the public street and the private interior.
The porch is supported by substantial columns or piers, further reinforcing the sense of solidity and permanence. This emphasis on the front porch makes Exterior Craftsman Style Homes feel approachable and hospitable.
Tapered Columns
Supporting those prominent porches are distinctive columns. Craftsman columns are typically thick and square or rectangular, often tapering upwards from a wider base.
These columns frequently rest on sturdy piers made of stone, brick, or wood, continuing the theme of natural materials and robust construction. The visual weight of these columns anchors the porch and the entire house to the ground.
Natural Siding Materials
The choice of siding materials is fundamental to the Craftsman aesthetic. Reflecting the movement’s focus on natural elements, Exterior Craftsman Style Homes often feature a mix of materials.
Common choices include wood siding (like clapboard or shingles, often cedar or redwood), stone (fieldstone or river rock), brick, and sometimes stucco. The combination of textures adds visual interest and reinforces the connection to the natural world, avoiding the uniformity of purely manufactured materials.
Distinctive Window Styles
Windows in Craftsman homes are usually double-hung, often featuring a distinctive pattern with multiple small panes in the upper sash and a single large pane in the lower sash. This design, sometimes referred to as a “3-over-1” or “6-over-1” pattern, adds both visual detail and historical character.
Window trim is typically substantial and finished in a contrasting color to the siding, highlighting the windows as architectural features. Bay windows and groupings of windows are also frequently incorporated, increasing natural light inside.
Overhanging Eaves and Exposed Rafters
The wide eaves characteristic of Craftsman roofs are often left with exposed rafter tails visible underneath. This detail is a direct expression of the structure and craftsmanship, showcasing the bones of the house.
Leaving the rafters visible aligns with the style’s principle of honesty in construction. It’s a decorative element that is simultaneously functional and structural, unique to Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
Decorative Brackets and Dentil Work
Below the eaves or supporting gables, decorative brackets are commonly used. These brackets are typically made of wood and can range from simple, sturdy forms to more intricate, decorative shapes.
Sometimes, simplified dentil molding (small, tooth-like blocks) is used along the cornice. These details, while decorative, still feel substantial and hand-crafted, contributing to the overall richness of the exterior design.
Variations Within Exterior Craftsman Style Homes
While certain features are hallmarks, the Craftsman style is not monolithic. Regional influences, specific architectural sub-types, and the passage of time have led to variations in the execution of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes. These differences add depth and diversity to the style while retaining its core principles.
Regional Influences and Adaptations
The Craftsman style adapted to different climates and available building materials across North America.
- California Bungalows: Often lighter in construction, sometimes featuring stucco and tile roofs, influenced by Spanish and Asian design subtly.
- Midwestern/Eastern Craftsman: More typically built with timber frames, heavier use of brick or stone foundations/piers, and wood siding suited to colder climates.
- Prairie Style Influence: Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, though distinct, shared some principles with the Craftsman movement (low-pitched roofs, horizontal lines, integration with landscape). Some Craftsman homes show a subtle influence of Prairie style elements.
These regional nuances mean that while a Craftsman home in Seattle and one in Pasadena share the basic characteristics, they might differ significantly in materials, roof pitch, and specific decorative details. The fundamental commitment to craftsmanship and natural materials, however, remains consistent in all Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
Materiality and Color Palettes
The materials used and their finishes are crucial to the authentic look of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
Common Building Materials
As mentioned, a mix is typical. Wood siding can be clapboard or shingle (often used on upper levels or gable ends). Stone is frequently used for porch piers, chimneys, or low walls. Brick might form foundations, chimneys, or accent areas. Stucco can also be used, particularly in warmer climates or on certain sub-types. The key is to showcase the natural texture and beauty of these materials, often left relatively unpainted or stained to highlight the grain or color variability.
Typical Color Schemes
The color palettes for Exterior Craftsman Style Homes are heavily inspired by nature. Earth tones dominate: greens, browns, beiges, greys, and creams. Deeper, richer colors like deep reds, blues, or forest greens are often used for trim, doors, or accent areas to provide contrast and highlight architectural details. The goal is for the house to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, rather than stand out starkly. The careful selection and application of color further define the character of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes.
Modern Craftsman and Enduring Appeal
The appeal of the Craftsman style has proven remarkably resilient. Even a century after its peak popularity, new homes are being built in the Craftsman style, and existing ones are highly sought after and meticulously restored. The principles that defined the original movement resonate strongly with contemporary desires for authenticity, quality, and connection to nature.
Modern Exterior Craftsman Style Homes often adapt the classic features to suit contemporary lifestyles and building codes. While they retain the low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and substantial porches, they might incorporate larger windows for more natural light, open floor plans (though this is internal, the larger windows impact the exterior), and synthetic materials that mimic the look of natural ones but require less maintenance.
The enduring popularity stems from several factors:
- Quality and Durability: The style is inherently associated with solid construction and durable materials.
- Warmth and Welcome: The large porch and use of natural materials create a sense of warmth and hospitality.
- Connection to Nature: The earth-toned palettes and emphasis on natural materials help the homes feel grounded and integrated with the landscape.
- Timeless Design: Unlike fleeting trends, the classic proportions and features of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes possess a timeless quality that remains aesthetically pleasing across generations.
- Handcrafted Feel: Even in modern interpretations, the visible structural and decorative details give the impression of a home built with care and attention to detail.
Restoring an original Craftsman home or building a new one requires an appreciation for craftsmanship and a commitment to the style’s core principles. Every element, from the taper of the columns to the color of the trim, contributes to the authentic look and feel of these special properties.
Conclusion
Exterior Craftsman Style Homes represent a powerful architectural statement that continues to captivate imaginations. Born from a desire for craftsmanship and harmony with nature, these homes are characterized by their low-pitched roofs, deep overhanging eaves, large welcoming porches supported by tapered columns, and the honest use of natural building materials like wood, stone, and brick.
The distinctive features, from the patterned windows to the visible rafter tails, all contribute to a facade that is both sturdy and inviting. While variations exist due to regional influences and modern adaptations, the core principles remain consistent, emphasizing quality, durability, and a connection to the natural world. The enduring appeal of Exterior Craftsman Style Homes lies in their blend of aesthetic beauty, practical functionality, and the timeless values of craftsmanship and authenticity they embody. Owning or appreciating one of these homes is a recognition of architectural history and a celebration of the enduring power of well-crafted design.