Craftsman houses originated in California, although they are equally common in the Midwest. Throughout the country, they are made of a variety of materials. They line residential areas in places such as Chicago and St. Louis.
Craftsman houses have gabled roofs and symmetrical walls with overhanging eaves. The front entrance is usually centered under a large window or set of windows. There is generally no door between the entryway and the rest of the house. Instead, there is just a rug or other soft material that separates the two spaces.
The term "Craftsman" was first used to describe houses built by architects Peter Behrens and William L. Wright. These two men were responsible for many improvements to American building techniques during the early 20th century. They designed many buildings throughout the United States, but especially in California.
Behrns was born in Germany and came to the United States when he was only 18 years old. He studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before returning to California, where he started his own practice.
Wright was also born in Germany. He moved to Chicago when he was only 8 years old and learned the construction trade from some of the most experienced builders in the city. In 1919, he opened up an office in Los Angeles and began to design houses.
Craftsman houses are an American architectural style that first appeared and expanded between 1900 and 1929. It was a reaction to the mass-produced, Industrial Revolution-fueled Victorian architecture boom that valued embellishment and ornamentation, which had been made more accessible by new technology. Craftsman houses are typically two stories tall, have gable roofs, and feature cross-gabled or shed-roofed sections over front entrances. They tend to be simpler in design than other popular American styles of the time, such as Tudor Revival and Ranch. The term "craftsman" is used because many of these houses were built by craftsmen who worked from blueprints produced by architects.
But it wasn't until later that year that the term "craftsman home" was used for the first time. It was in 1900 that the term "craftsman style" first appeared in print, in a book by H.H. Richardson called The Architecture of Country Houses.
Craftsmanship in America
American Craftsman-style bungalow in San Diego, California. Similar homes are common in older neighborhoods of many western and upper mid-western American cities. | |
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Years active | 1890s–1930s |
Influences | Arts and Crafts movement |
The American Craftsman is a home architectural style in the United States that was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, which began in the late nineteenth century and includes interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts. The term "Craftsman" was first used to describe buildings built before World War I by architects such as Howard Van Doren Shaw and Samuel Sloan. They are characterized by simple forms, functionalism, and natural materials such as wood, brick, stucco, and stone.
The American Craftsman style became popular after the Great Depression when many people could not afford expensive new homes. These houses were designed to be affordable to most Americans who worked hard physical jobs that required little education. They were also energy efficient, having only one floor and small windows. The roofs were usually flat, made of asphalt or concrete. Walls were often painted white to reflect heat inside during the summer and keep out cold in winter.
These houses looked quite different from their Victorian and Italianate predecessors. They had lower ceilings and fewer rooms. Windows were typically smaller too. There was no such thing as a master bedroom with its own bathroom in an American Craftsman house because these types of rooms were added over time through additions. Sometimes a kitchen would be incorporated into a room other than the dining room by opening up a wall or removing some doors. A garage sometimes replaced a front entryway.
Is Craftsman created in the United States? The bulk of Craftsman tools are manufactured outside of the United States. They rely on a large number of third-party manufacturers to produce their varied products. Many of Craftsman's hand tools (made by Apex Tool Group) began to be built in China in Taiwan beginning in 2010. Their power tools (made by Habo Technology) continue to be manufactured in Japan.
Who is the best tool brand for me? That depends on what you need and like. If you want affordable tools that will last, then Craftsman is one of the best brands out there. They have everything from variable speed drills to heavy-duty circular saws. For people who care about quality workmanship, Craftsman is the way to go. Their tools are designed to be easy to use and maintain.
They also make some great tools that are a little more expensive but worth it in terms of quality. Ryobi tools are famous for their battery powered tools so if you're looking for something compact and efficient, then these are the right tools for you. Stanley makes some awesome tools that are popular with professionals; they come with a high price tag but are built to last for many years.
There are other brands out there that also make good tools. But since they don't manufacture any products themselves, they have to contract out production to other companies.
Rust, dusty pink, tan, moss green, and brown are popular artisan colors. If your home has been resided or painted in the past, try returning it to a more historic color palette for a more authentic appearance.
Craftsman houses are an American architectural style that first appeared and expanded between 1900 and 1929. It was a reaction to the mass-produced, Industrial Revolution-fueled Victorian architecture boom that valued embellishment and ornamentation, which had been made more accessible by new technology.