The Arts + Crafts Movement

Delia Tacheny

INT 332 - History of Interiors II

The Arts + Crafts Movement  (1860 - 1910)

The Arts + Crafts movement, was no, not a mass outbreak of arts and crafts with paper, scissors, and glitter... rather, it was a historical movement in design that brought about some of the architectural and interior design features we still see today.

In the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution drastically changed societies in ways that are irreversible. Beginning in Britain, it was an age of invention, industrialization, and mass production. While bringing about advances in communication, media, materials, and manufacturing, it is also well known as a period of brutal working conditions and a shallowness of wealth. In regard to Art and Design, "Victorian" is the term for anything art or architecture related during the reign of Queen Victoria of England -- the 19th century. While flushing toilets and central heating may have been a plus, the decor... was a bit hodge podge (pictured to the right). The industrial revolution had led to mass produced, poorly manufactured furniture and materials which led to cluttered interiors of miscellaneous furnishing and decor. The book "History of Furniture: A Global View" discusses how the 19th century was the century of historical revivals - not one, but a combination of many. From neoclassicism and gothic to Turkish and Egyptian, the variety of revivals was endless. 

As a reaction against the Victorian period and industrial revolution, along came William Morris and the Arts + Crafts Movement, seeking the return of simplicity and authenticity...

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."

    - William Morris

As a student of Oxford, an architecture apprentice, and a multi-talented man in the industry of art and craftsmanship, William Morris is known as the founder of this movement alongside other influencers such as Philip Webb, Edward Coley Burne Jones, and Edward Godwin -- architects, artists, and designers. These men (and some women) cared more about mere design; they valued a different lifestyle, expressed not only in art and furniture, but also writings of the time (John Ruskin is one whose writings had great influence on Morris and others). These men were successful businessmen and talented creatives. 

Primary characteristics of this design style include:

    - completely hand-made products 

    - visible wood joints

    - medieval/ gothic inspiration

    - shaker furniture influence

    - the predominance of wood (oak > mahogany)

    - simple honest design 

    - very heavy furniture

    - large, exposed hinges

The style carried on to further generations and other designers into the 20th century. The Greene brother, Charles and Henry, were architects whose work greatly represented the Arts and Crafts movement in the United States. Their houses were coined as "bungalows" giving new meaning to the term. 

The Arts and Crafts movement carried with it a raw appreciation for authentic craftsmanship and has influenced interior design ever since (modern day arts + crafts pictured bottom right).

One Step Further: The Bungalow 

Bungalow is a common term I've heard when it comes to describing houses, but I've never really understood in depth all the different names for styles of homes. The fact that the classic American bungalow was influenced by the Arts + Crafts Movement stood out to me, so I thought it would be fun to educate myself more on the "bungalow."

The term "bungalow" is an Anglo-Indian word that existed long before the American bungalow home. Prior to any term similar to its modern pronunciation, words such "bangla," bangales," and banggolos" existed. In 1659, and Englishman in India used the word " Bunguloues" to describe temporary and quickly erected shelters. 

"The English in India were describing houses built for them by native labor: long, low buildings with wide verandahs and deeply overhanging eaves. Broad roofs, first of thatch and later fireproof tile, enclosed an insulating air space against tropical heat. Then, around 1870, builders of newly fashionable English seacoast vacation houses referred to them as “bungalows,” giving them an exotic, rough-and-ready image" (artsandcraftshomes.com)

The American Bungalow was birthed in California as it met the needs of the climate and the middle-class American buyer. It is the Greene brothers that transformed the "bungalow" from a temporary dwelling to a desired home.

While the descriptive attributes of the bungalow have somewhat transitioned throughout history, typically today... "Bungalows are homes where the majority of the living space is on the main floor and there is usually an additional half-story above the home, almost like an oversized attic, which may or may not feature dormer windows" says an interviewed realtor. Other features include a sloped roof, possibly a front porch, compact size overall, built in storage, and arts and crafts styling. There are a variety of types of Bungalows designed for different environments: the Craftsman bungalow, California Bungalow, Chicago Bungalow, and the Storybook bungalow. 

Sources:

The Bungalow: A Short History - Design for the Arts & Crafts House | Arts & Crafts Homes Online (artsandcraftshomes.com)

What Is a Bungalow? This House Style Explained - Parade