Creating An Authentic Craftsman Home

The Craftsman house plans style architecture emerged in America in the early 1900s, marking a return to handcrafted, natural materials that had been overshadowed by mass production during the industrial revolution. Today, craftsman homes are being designed to accommodate the modern lifestyle, while preserving the warmth and charm that defines its open, yet sensible style.

Heavy use of exposed woodwork gives craftsman homes their warmth and signature charm. You'll find most craftsman designs feature a return to artistic, handcrafted wood details like decorative moldings, chair and picture railings and wood paneling. Exposed beams, built-in shelving and intricate crown moldings in warm wood tones are also traditional craftsman touches.

A wonderful, green alternative to natural wood and stone are prefabricated products like fiberglass columns, garage and entry doors, stone veneer and recycled woods, which are designed to mimic the look and feel of real wood, stone and brick but without the high cost and maintenance.

Typically the front entry features a battened door with wrought-iron decorative accents paired with a wide, inviting porch unique to craftsman style homes. The front porch typically spans the width of the front exterior facade supported by square or round columns.

Related to bungalow and prairie homes, craftsman style house plans feature wood, stone or stucco siding, a low-pitched roof and wide eaves with exposed wood rafters. The low-slung roof typically has multiple projections to give the home a "built-in" feel.

Inside, craftsman style homes offer airy open floor plans with few hallways and lots of windows to let in light. Stained or leaded glass windows provide a special touch while beamed ceilings, dark wood wainscoting moldings, built-in cabinets, shelves and seating create a cozy welcoming retreat for family activities and casual entertaining.

A fireplace was the symbol of "hearth and home" in the Arts and Crafts movement, so most homes feature a prominent fireplace in the great room (typically stone) and a large exterior chimney.

Most craftsman houses also incorporate Arts and Crafts style light fixtures, which are an integral part of the house design, rather than an afterthought. Equally important is using nature-inspire

d decor colors. It's common to contrast dark paneled walls and woodwork with light creams, whites, greens and gold hues.

Craftsman decor is the warming, comforting end result of balancing beautiful built-in cabinetry, woodwork, natural materials, natural light and nature-inspired accent colors, all coming together to create the authentic craftsman home.