Historical Overview:

The Arts and Crafts Style, sometimes referred to as Prairie Style, Mission Style or Bungalow Style, came about as a result of craftsmen in North America and England taking issue with the poor quality of machine-made furnishings. Mass produced decorative items being made for the newly emerging working class were considered to be of inferior quality. The Arts & Crafts movement was a reaction against this shoddy workmanship of these craftsman. Also, emerging from the Arts & Crafts style is what is now known as the Prairie school of design. This styling was made popular by Frank Lloyd Wright. The main ingredients are hand-crafted elegance, geometric ornamentation and simplicity of line.

Cabinetry/Millwork:

Plain, solid-wood furniture arranged in a functional manner. The furniture is large in scale, simple in design, and constructed of oak. Arts & Crafts designs often use cherry in place of oak today.

Hardware:

Almost any brushed finish or metal, other than brass, works well. Intricately patterned metal work provides an authentic accent.

Countertops:

Materials and other surface areas emphasize the inherent natural qualities, i.e., the strength of natural stone, the depth of highly glazed, multi-colored porcelain pottery, and the matte finish of rough earthenware-type materials.

Colors:

Warm colors, golden yellow, soft green. Colors based on natural dyes, such as earth tones drawn from Indigo blue. Greens from every hue drawn from nature.

Surfaces:

• Floor:
  Plain or geometric patterns used in slate, tile or wood would be appropriate. In this style, vinyl in vintage patterns in matte finishes would be very authentic as well.
• Walls:
  Typical fabrics and wall coverings are leather, wood and linen in solid colors and block printed cotton with stylized floral patterns and strong geometric lines.
• Ceiling:
  Decorative light fixtures, stained glass shades from the Tiffany era, simple glass Mission pieces or decorative Art Nouveau pieces all blend beautifully.

Accents:

Adjacent furniture pieces are always welcome in an Arts & Crafts room. Shaker baskets and Japanese ceramic and metal crafts would certainly be appropriate.