There are many types of homes throughout San Diego and beyond. One of the most popular architectural styles is the craftsman home, which has the charm of yesteryear and a strong emotional attraction that draws people to them. A craftsman home is usually a top consideration when individuals are looking to buy or rent a home. Although people love the craftsman-style, most do not know much about its origin or history.
The American craftsman-style or the American arts and crafts movement is an American domestic interior and exterior architectural design. It is a style and a lifestyle philosophy that began in the late 1800s. As a comprehensive design and arts movement it remained popular into the 1930s. However, in decorative arts and architectural design it has continued with numerous revivals and restoration projects through to present times.
The American craftsman style has its origins from the British arts and crafts movement, which began as a philosophy and artistic style founded by William Morris in the 1860s. The British movement was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, with its disregard for the individual worker and degradation of the dignity of human labor. Seeking to promote and support the craftsman, the movement emphasized the hand-made workmanship over the mass-produced.
The arts and crafts movement was also a reaction against the eclectic and over-decorated style of the Victorian era. It was an anti-Victorian movement, with William Morris a staunch socialist. However, the expensive construction materials and costly hand-made techniques used meant that the created works of the movement were actually only serving wealthy clientele. However, the philosophy and aesthetics of the British arts and crafts movement inspired a wide variety of related, but conceptually distinct, design movements throughout Europe, as well as the American craftsman movement in North America.
The American arts and crafts movement did share the philosophy of the reform movement and encouraged originality, simplicity of form, local natural materials and the visibility of actual hand craftsmanship. It was distinguished by being concerned with ennobling the modest homes of the rapidly expanding American middle class, which became the craftsman bungalow-style.
The craftsman-style home became so popular in the U.S. after the turn of the last century, Sears Roebuck & Company started making prefabricated craftsman homes that customers could order out of the Sears catalogue. Customers could select one of the different styles of craftsman home that Sears offered, which ranged from about $3,000 to $4,500, and then have it assembled on their own land.
Today, you can see craftsman homes all over San Diego and throughout the nation. In addition to being beautiful, they are known to be well-built and strong homes. An excellent example of a classic craftsman-style home is one that was recently listed in North Park. This amazing 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home has been completely remodeled and beautifully restored to its original glory. Once you walk inside the home you are taken back in time. Each room is a true piece of art that shows off the incredible craftsmanship, with amazing built-in cabinets throughout the house, hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, original wide wood trim around all the windows, doorways and at the baseboards. This amazing home is truly a magnificent work of art and an exemplary display of the craftsman-style home at its best.
Until we meet again, enjoy your home life.
Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Associations of Realtors. You can reach Trent at The Metropolitan Group at 619-300-1621 or email him at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com CADRE#01273643.
