Gustav Stickley is the Father of the Craftsman House Plan
by Charity Adams
Gustav Stickley has been given credit for the popular house plan called the "Craftsman." Mr. Stickley started out as a furniture designer. He then branched to home design creating a simple, informal house plan with lots of curb appeal.
"The Craftsman," magazine created by Gustave Sickly promoted the craftsman style. Craftsmans homes gained their name from this very magazine. The homes show off artistry in their home construction and interior furnishing. The craftsman home was for the do it yourselfer. Mr. Stickly urged people to take the craftsman home plan and build it themselves. The original design made it affordable and available to the average home owner.
Henry Mather Green and Charles Sumner Greene were also influential in the progression of the craftsman house plan. Mather and Green combined arts and crafts with easy wooden buildings from China and Japan. California has been named the birth place of the house plan.
England's Arts& Crafts movement in the 1800's was the foundation of the Craftsman house plan. John Ruskin, William Morris and other English designers started the movement. The Craftsman house plan created was opposite of the Victorian period plans and the effects of the industrial revolution.
The exterior of craftsman homes differ as you cross the US. In the west craftsman homes are found with stucco and wood. In the Midwest homes are widely found with brick exteriors. As you travel further east you will find homes with more shingles on the faade.
This homes feature
* Wood, stone, or stucco siding * Low-pitched roof * Wide eaves with triangular brackets * Exposed roof rafters * Porch with thick square or round columns * Stone porch supports * Exterior chimney made with stone * Open floor plans; few hallways * Numerous windows * Some windows with stained or leaded glass * Beamed ceilings * Dark wood wainscoting and moldings * Built-in cabinets, shelves, and seating
Today more and more home developments are designing their new communities after the craftsman style house. These homes are inviting and welcoming making them a perfect fit for young families and starter homes.
Charity Adams has study many different house plans and how they fit individual lifestyles. You can see more here:
My House Plans Online Click here to get your own
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