Next up, Arts and Crafts. One of my absolute favorites, this style developed in response to the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. At a time where machines were quickly replacing talented artisans with inferior products, the Craftsman Movement was about celebrating traditional skills and creativity as well as emphasizing the natural qualities of materials. Important names to note during this period are William Morris, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Gustav Stickley.
Qualities to describe the Arts and Crafts style: earthy color palette, natural materials and finishes (wood, stone, slate, leather), built in’s (cabinetry, shelves, benches), stained glass, dark/rustic hardware, beefy/tapered columns, handcrafted textiles and ceramics, and an overall emphasis on nature.
Honest to goodness, I love this style. Arts and Crafts is classic, a great balance of not-too masculine or feminine, it’s architectural, and I love the emphasis on nature. See for yourself.
Images from Stickley, How Stuff Works, Flickr, Lamps Plus, The Craftsman Touch, LA Places.
