RoomPlanners magazine - Jul-Aug '10

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roomplanners JULY—AUGUST 2010

www.roomplanners.com

sturdy

smart

simple

Craftsman style … an American love story

HOW TO!   

recognize Craftsman furniture accessorize Arts-and-Crafts style create the perfect workspace

sturdy, smart, simple

summer side dishes as easy as 1-2-3-


an American favorite.. ...and why we love it!

America just turned 234. Sounds pretty old until you realize America really can‟t boast the fancy, formal styles of other continents. But we do seem to know a certain something about casual style. One, in particular. Craftsman style is still one of America‟s most endearing gifts from across the pond. Though rooted in Europe‟s Arts-and-Crafts movement, this thoroughly casual (and radically un-European) style didn‟t come into its own until it hit American shores. It offered a young country a look they could live with... old but not ornate, cleaned up but not contemporary, rustic but not country bumpkin. It was organic and warm, steeped in country life, community values, morals, honesty and hard work. Americans were smitten; tweaking and ultimately adopting the style as their very own. Today, this warm, unpretentious style feels as authentic as it ever did, blending seamlessly with American southwest, rural and even urban country styles. In this issue, we‟ll explore Craftsman‟s obsession with sturdy, smart and simple design. We‟ll see President, RoomPlanners Inc. how it ignores the whims of fashion in favor of good basic design, how it‟s never really quite in style, but never quite out of style either (and therein lies its magic!). Finally, we‟ll look at how this style is being updated for twenty-first century living!

Loreen Epp

Enjoy!

Check out our new web site! We‟re live! Visit our new site, www.roomplanners.com to:       www.roomplanners.com

browse hundreds of room ideas view our favorite furniture collections identify your personal style preferences choose your perfect paint color rate your rooms learn how to design like the pros!

on the cover The handsome simplicity of Craftsman style is captured in Bungalow Baby, a new Artsand-Crafts collection by Aspenhome Furniture. Though updated with lots of modern conveniences, the warmth and authenticity are all still there… splayed legs, corbels, pierced detailing and exposed construction details.

about roomplanners RoomPlanners.com is committed to making professional quality interior design easier and more affordable. We invite you to visit our web site to browse hundreds of rooms for ideas, rate your own rooms or to take our survey to identify your environmental personality profile. We offer a variety of free home decorating articles, a no-fail paint color selection system and an array of RoomCues™... concise, practical guides to help you pull together a look you love. Find us online at: www.roomplanners.com. twitter.com/roomplanners Facebook.com/ roomplanners All written information herein is copyright ©2010 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from Room Planners Inc..

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try this at home! Looking for a romantic style for a young girl‟s bedroom? Here‟s an idea that‟s not just elegant, but ideal for a limited redecorating budget! Truth is, this French-inspired girl‟s room has a lot more personality than furniture. You could pull it together with little more than a mattress and a boxspring, two small night stands, a few yards of fabric (and a chest for storage)! First, place a twin bed lengthwise against the wall to create a sofa or daybed effect. Place small, elegant tables on either side to act as end tables during the day and nightstands at night. Add a tall, densely gathered ruffled bed skirt (make sure it pools dramatically on the floor; this is very French!). You can also add an elegant area rug in front of the bed to frame it. Use the same (or a similar) fabric as the bed skirt to create a cascading curtain on either side of the bed. Simply gather it around a circular ring (or a small bicycle tire) hung from the ceiling. Paint the walls an elegant color. A champagne color (Behr 760A-3/-2) is perfect for the look!

what’s new! Uncover interior designers‟ top secrets inside RoomCues™. Like a recipe for your room, these 24page style guides will help you pull together the furniture, accessories, paint colors and much more for your favorite style. We‟ve also included dozens of decorator ideas for every room! Just $12.95 each. Read more (and see inside a RoomCue!) at www.roomplanners.com. www.roomplanners.com

THIS MONTH

did you know? The Tree of Life has long been a favorite symbol of religion, science, philosophy and mythology… used to illustrate that all of life is connected. But this two-dimensional, flat-looking pattern is also a favorite choice for wallpapers, toss pillows, stencils and Butterfly Tree Pillow artwork, especially in rural styles. www.lampsplus.com

why we like it! You don’t have to be a kid to love secret, hidden compartments! We recently came across a night stand that lets you keep your valuables close, hidden and organized. Even as adults, we thought this was pretty exciting! When the night stand‟s drawer is opened, you don‟t see the hidden, recessed drawer; its edge looks like part of the structure. But this edge pulls out... to reveal a The hidden drawer is recessed and designed to disappear when shallow drawer with feltthe main drawer is opened. lined, sectioned-off tray… the perfect place to store jewelry, passports or extra cash. The tray can also be removed; you could use it elsewhere and instead stash important documents or papers inside this shallow, spy-worthy compartment! (We found a similar feature in the matching dresser…) We also loved the fullextension drawer glides; they let you see (and get to!) The hidden drawer features a the back of the drawer! felt-lined, removable tray that can be moved where needed.

Read more about Key Town, a new collection by Ashley Furniture at www.AshleyFurnitureHomeStore.com 3


Craftsman Hall of Fame

William Morris, father of the Arts-and-Crafts style in Britain was the first to reject mass production in favor of hand production.

craftsman style an American love story

Craftsman became a uniquely American style... suiting the sturdy living, smart choices and forced simplicity inspired by America’s earliest pioneers. Gustav Stickley produced Arts-and-Crafts furniture in America after a visit to Britain to see the work of William Morris.

Craftsman style wasn‟t born in America. The story of this style begins in England… smack in the middle of the Victorian era. By the late 19th century, a movement was afoot in Britain to return to simplicity and authenticity. The elaborate, over-the-top look of Victorian had become just too much for at least a fraction of intellects and artists.

Stained-glass lamps made by Louis Comfort Tiffany suited Craftsman style‟s appreciation for medieval aesthetics and craft.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes to blend with the local landscape, just as William Morris had done in England.

William Morris championed the epic new cause to eradicate Victorian excess. At a time when machines and synthetic materials were taking over, Morris argued for a return to hand crafting and natureinspired aesthetics. Better quality, he believed, would equate to better morality and healthier homes, communities, and lifestyles. Morris formed a company and a movement to produce simple hand-crafted textiles, ceramics, furniture, wall hangings, metalware, stained glass, wallpaper and furniture.

His home, the Red House, became a poetic icon of the movement. Its rough-hewn red bricks and high hedges blended into the countryside; the picture of security outside a modern new world. The term, Arts-and-Crafts, was coined in 1888, after Morris and friends were rejected by The Royal Academy. Much like urban artists frown on folk art, this high-brow art institute frowned on „craft‟ as inferior to ‟art‟. Undaunted, Morris promptly created his own Arts & Crafts Society to revive interest in hand-crafting skills using local materials and medieval building techniques. But Morris‟ simple, honest, undecorated looks found their greatest audience in America. In 1897, Chicago established its own Society of Arts and Crafts. A year later, American Gustav Stickley began production of settles and sideboards that featured the hallmarks of the style, including visible peg joints and flat

wood slats. Stickley promoted the new look in The Craftsman, a monthly magazine devoted to the style and its ideals. Frank Lloyd Wright also found inspiration in the style. His Prairie Style architecture and fascination with simple Japanese design inspired a use of natural materials and flat, horizontal lines. Both were dramatic contrasts to elaborate Victorian architecture with its pointed turrets. The simplicity of Arts & Crafts in America also meshed with native and Spanishinspired Mission styles. The country‟s rustic past made it open to simple hand-crafting and utility as inspiration for a product‟s design. Today, Craftsman style is uniquely American in its love of sturdy, smart and simple products. It may go by many names… Mission, Arts and Crafts, Craftsman or Southwest. But whatever you call it, one thing is for sure: it‟s still one of America‟s favorites.

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Artisan, Broyhill Furniture

getting to know

craftsman

interiors

Craftsman-style rooms feel honest, simple and immune to fashion trends. It‟s no wonder. The 19th Century Arts and Crafts movement in Britain lobbied for a return to quality, hand-crafting and authenticity inspired by the middle ages and nature. Even today, natural or oldfashioned patterns, colors, materials and construction offer an alternative to planned obsolescence!

of everyday life! This hybrid style blends 3 Environmental Personality Profiles (EPProfiles™): country, traditional and organic. Craftsman style‟s country roots are seen in warm wood finishes, sturdy construction and a belief that the way a product is made more important than how it looks.

Craftsman style is slightly masculine in its uncluttered simplicity. Such a paredback look uniquely bridges rustic and contemporary style.

Craftsman style‟s organic roots are seen in natural colors, matte finishes, paredback patterns, simple construction and an appreciation for Asian design.

Craftsman is also the ideal choice if you want to do fewer repairs and less cleaning. Its sturdy, rugged good looks easily hide the nicks, scratches and wear

Craftsman style‟s traditional roots are seen in a love of old world colors, medieval materials, intellectual ideas and smart storage solutions.

craftsman style

craftsman style

Download our 24-page Craftsman RoomCue … the ultimate guide to designing a Craftsman-inspired room like the pros. What‟s inside:  nine must-haves  paint colors, materials and patterns  a buying guide for furniture & accents  dozens of photos and room-by-room tips  … and much more!

Craftsman style is sturdy, smart and simple. Quality construction, real wood and nature-inspired patterns are the whole story… so keep furniture and wall decor on the plain, uncluttered side!

RoomCue

Paired with oak, hand-forged metals, stained glass, brick and matte ceramics, the effect is woodsy and old-fashioned.

use ruddy, earthy paint colors. A craftsman home reflects colors inspired by gardens, brick or stone. The goal is to blend into the landscape rather than to impose or stand out!

create horizontal lines where possible… a low-pitched roof, broad overhang, long horizontal bands of windows or a long dinner table.

use hand-blown or bottled glass on cabinet doors to make them look old and hand -crafted.

add stained glass or mica-shaded lamps or lanterns to simulate the warm, familiar glow of the hearth.

cover floors with chiseled stone or tile, rustic hardwood or a textured loop carpet.

display collections of art pottery in matte, green glazes on shelves; alone or with books.

$12.95 www.roomplanners.com

the colors of craftsman décor... Craftsman colors look warm and earthy. It‟s easy to see their inspiration in organic, rustic and old-world ideas.

our top tips

Below are nine of our favorite Craftsman paint colors. You‟ll find a dozen more in our Craftsman RoomCue.

Behr: W-B-710 / 720 “linen”

Behr: 710C-2 / 1 “almond”

Behr 320D-4 “straw”

Behr 410F-4 “moss”

Behr 360F-4 / F-5 “old gold”

Behr 250F-6 “chestnut”

Behr 270F-6 “bronze”

Behr 200F-4/F-5/F-6 “brick”

Behr: 770F-6 “wrought iron”

Get dozens more room-byroom ideas in our Craftsman RoomCue!

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Vantana, Broyhill Furniture

In an early 19th century issue of Craftsman magazine, Gustav Stickley claimed that craftsman style expressed

“the fundamental sturdiness and directness of the American point of view.” The style does seem essentially American.

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craftsman style ...it’s sturdy! why we love

People who prefer Craftsman style may have strong preferences for country styles. Country rooms put utility, functionality and reliability ahead of fashion. Their distressed finishes and simple folk charm feel familiar, earthy and rural.

Craftsman furniture was born as a simple, unpretentious style that would improve life at home, promote a sense of family and create a pride in workmanship. It was influenced by intellects and writers who believed even furniture and interiors should reflect a love of sturdy values and ideas. Maybe that‟s why the style caught on with such vigor in America. The rustic heritage and tough skin required of early pioneers in the wild west made this sturdy style appealing to those who came after it. Clean, simple lines suggested love of honesty and an unpretentiousness. A heavy use of grainy oak allowed Americans to tap into what they already had at hand. Craftsman offered Americans an alternative to the fanciful furniture from Europe, a style more suited to their 6


simpler tastes and hearty homesteads. Whether or not you buy into all the moral virtues that inspired the style, there‟s no question that Craftsman furniture and rooms have staying power. The style‟s appeal can be based simply on a love of well-made, commonsense furniture that „s less likely to wobble, sag, scratch or stain. As the name suggests, the appearance of Craftsman furniture is inspired by how it‟s made. Furniture shows off its construction, including handhammering, mortise-andtenon joints, chiseled edges and the look of hand -crafting even if the piece was made in a factory! Stretchers, slats, pegged joints and dowels are made visible, drawing

attention to old-fashioned ways of building furniture. Positively medieval, some would say!

sturdy details... Wide flat slats and a horizontal ledge-like top are well-loved Craftsman details. Pegs and dowels are usually exposed to reveal the style‟s sturdy construction. Shapely corbel brackets on the outer edge add additional strength.

Cute and frilly are out in a Craftsman room! The slightly masculine vibe results from stripping away ornament and letting structure be its own art form. Craftsman furniture is typically strong and wellconstructed. Grainy oak is the favorite wood species, applied to cozy settles, hearty drawer chests, work tables and paneled walls. Craftsman wood finishes are lightly oiled but never polished.

A row of jailhouselike flat slats on chairs, tables and beds are a Craftsman icon. They‟re usually accompanied with a wide, flat-top molding. Corners often feature interlocking joints... with dark wood used to show off the joint.

Today, Craftsman furniture may be modified or slightly modernized, but the look is still partial to sturdy materials, strong construction and hearty proportions.

Craftsman style‟s very famous (and very strong!) butterfly joint attaches two pieces of wood in a grip-like hold. Dark wood is typically used on the joint so this prized feature can be seen. Today, butterfly joints may be real or just for show!

Iron is a favorite Craftsman material; it conjures up medieval blacksmiths hammering away on a hearty horse shoe! Craftsman furniture features iron hardware or iron window mullions. Iron is usually seen in dark, nearly black colors, but steely colors are used too. Structure is on display in this Craftsman kitchen. Splayed legs, exposed joints, flat slats, sturdy iron hardware and horizontal bands of glass windows on cabinet doors are authentic details. Crown Point Cabinetry

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Drexel Heritage Furniture

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www.BroyhillFurniture.com

HOW TO… recognize Craftsman style! 7 sturdy (...and very authentic!) Craftsman icons A dramatic departure from elaborate Victorian styles in the 19th century, Craftsman‟s simplicity still offers a clean, nearly contemporary alternative to traditional and rustic styles. But Craftsman style is most admired for its insistence that sturdy-looking is actually a style! Here are seven of its sturdiest… and most favorite pieces.

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bookcases

Craftsman started out as a style for intellects and artists. That makes built-in or free-standing, shelves and bookcases a must! 2

landscape mirrors

A love of horizontal lines (simulates nature‟s horizon line) is seen in a use of wide, rather than tall mirrors.

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bookcases

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2

landscape mirrors

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5

Stickley-style beds

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nesting tables

nesting tables

They weren't a Craftsman invention, but their smart design and sturdy look have made them a Craftsman favorite!

sideboards

They were meant to replace servants in modernizing 19th century homes. They might not quite do that today, but sideboards offer an ideal place to store, stage and serve dinner! Shelves and plate rails are popular features. 5

Stickley-style beds & chairs These heavily slatted pieces look sturdy and structured. Their simplicity today can feel almost modern! Many, many variations have been inspired by this simple design

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sideboards

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Stickley-style chairs trestle tables 6

sturdy sofas

roomplanners + www.roomplanners.com

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sturdy sofas

From wood-framed settles to round-arm sofas, Craftsman sofas are always basic, earthy and unadorned. 7

trestle tables

From medieval monasteries, these long, leg-free tables feature an over-hanging top rather than corner legs; they‟re perfect for large crowds!

= ideas you can use

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Beacon Ridge, American Drew Furniture

It’s tough to imagine a messy craftsman home. The style speaks to a love of order and organization. Craftsman style seems born for kitchens, dining rooms, libraries, home offices and other rooms where efficiency matters.

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craftsman style ...it’s smart why we love

People who prefer Craftsman style may have strong preferences for traditional styles. Traditional rooms put intellect and respect for history ahead of fashion. Their rich colors and burnished finishes feel warm, protective and historic.

British design reformers in the 19th century weren‟t just outraged about what they called poor design. Most were writers, thinkers and philosophers. Their outrage was equally directed to the effect of poor design on efficiency, morality and even happiness! Arts-and-Crafts homes promised to cure the ills of the modern world. They would bring society back to simpler, more practical and more thoughtful, rather than frivolous choices. In America, a love of nature and a Puritan work ethic made Craftsman a fitting choice for a favorite style. A well thought-out style that favored practicality promised to help keep things in their place fueled a well-honed tradition of utility-driven design. Like in Arts-and-Crafts rooms of the past, geometry itself inspires order. Wainscoted panels on walls and cabinets 9


make them look more organized. Small, well-planned drawers create a place for everything… and keep everything in its place. Glass-front cabinets and bookcases reveal what‟s inside them and deter clutter! With so much thinking behind this style, it‟s no wonder Craftsman rooms often have an intellectual bent. Bookcases and filing cabinets suit the masculine, nononsense sentiment. But the style boasts other thoughtful pieces too. The settle, a medieval invention, features a wood bench with pronounced wood back and arms. It was reinvented for Arts-and-Crafts homes as a way to divide up the open floor plans that worked best with this style. The refectory table was inspired by medieval monas-

teries. Wood planks were placed on wooden supports, creating a long table for monks to gather around without knocking knees with table legs! Today, a long, narrow table is a Craftsman icon. Held in place with two hefty braces (often reinforced with a wood or iron stretcher between them), these monastery-like tables hold up to large family dinners, crafts or office work. The 19th century sideboard was developed to replace servants in the home; it created a staging area for meals and stored silver, china and table linens. Built-in cabinets cleverly use space and are easily integrated into wainscoted wood walls. Wall hooks and other thoughtful storage options are also 100% Craftsman.

A desk on industrial-looking braces adds Craftsman charm to this urban loft. A charming bookcase features the geometric squares and rectangles typical of Craftsman style. Each shelf is labeled, ensuring this style says orderly and efficient! Modern Craftsman, Stanley Furniture

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smart details... Authentic Craftsman homes usually feature a broad overhang, creating a shady, protective place to sit outdoors. Geometric square or rectangular panels are inspired by wainscoting, a British tradition. Flat-slat molding and a perfectly spaced row of high windows is a favorite Craftsman look, adding to the look of order. Wall hooks create instant organization by keeping things off the floor! Metal hooks on wood shelves are especially popular. When books are placed behind glass doors, it creates the look of an oldfashioned library! Stained glass, or dimpled glass that looks hand-blown is an authentic Craftsman detail.

Building storage into walls or furniture is a favorite Craftsman technique. Drawers built into a footboard, along with well-positioned lights above the headboard and mirror are extra smart bedroom details. Bungalow Baby, Aspenhome Furniture

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www.aspenhome.net

HOW TO... craft the perfect home office!

There’s a reason why Craftsman style is a smart choice for office and work areas. We used this very clever new furniture collection to illustrate exactly how smart a Craftsman-inspired workspace can be!

Craftsman furniture is ideal for smart, hard-working homes. In fact, Craftsman designers today are just as fond of creating savvy ways to store books, papers and supplies as original Artsand-Crafts artisans were. That makes this style ideal for office and work places... especially when electronics and flexibility are wired in! Well-crafted workplaces today can be in any room! What‟s more important than where we work is how well-equipped we are when we do! Today, a workspace may be simply a place to use a laptop, re-charge a cell phone or keep the mail in order. But look for a style that keeps Craftsman details in order too! Orderly and hearty construction details inspire efficiency!

smart details!

library-style lights

A popular choice of artists, writers and intellects... it‟s no wonder Craftsman style is so clever!

bookshelves

power bar … a built-in power strip for printer, fax, computer or other devices.

library-style glass cabinet doors

pop-up power outlet

charger tray ... slots and a power bar for recharging portable electronics.

Bungalow Baby by aspenhome™ An executive office configuration is ideal for serious worker bees and busy entrepreneurs. Instead of a conventional small credenza behind the desk, tall storage cabinets use every inch of wall space and create the illusion of built-in library shelves… a favorite Craftsman technique! Wainscoted panels with their orderly flat slats can actually inspire us to get organized!

… a handy AC outlet eliminates crawling on the floor to plug in!

charger tray

charger tray

small drawers drawer or power tray

drawer or power tray bookshelf

file/printer drawer

power tray … a lap-top pull-out tray with USB power hub.

Bungalow Baby by aspenhome™

Bungalow Baby by aspenhome™ If space is tight, but work needs to get done (or spread out!), an L-shaped work station is ideal. With efficient storage packed into a credenza along a room‟s free wall, the desk has room for a computer, lamp, paperwork and even elbows!

roomplanners + www.roomplanners.com

pop-up power

A simple, compact desk is ideal for bedrooms, kitchens, hallways or any free wall or corner! But choose one with smart design built in—a charger tray for portable electronics, plenty of drawers, shelves and a place to work!

file drawer … a convertible drawer for files or a printer.

= ideas you can use www.aspenhome.net

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Rosecroft, Kincaid Furniture

Hammered, hand-forged, top-stitched or stenciled… Craftsman rooms favor simplicity inspired by the past. The organic and the handmade are prized over the factory produced. Nature is the inspiration, seen in earthy colors and simple, natural materials.

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craftsman style ...it’s simple why we love

People who prefer Craftsman style may have strong preferences for organic styles. Organic rooms put nature and peace-and-quiet ahead of fashion. Their matt finishes, neutral colors and Japaneseinspired simplicity feel natural, calm and contemplative.

Craftsman interiors developed out of a strong conviction that a material should look like what it is; anything else was on par with cheating or lying! The result was an obsession with simplicity. The style‟s default is always to natural materials and handcrafting rather than mass production. In authentic Craftsman style, irregularities and imperfections are prized rather than hidden. Patterns are nature-inspired and simple, usually drawing on medieval, rustic or primitive motifs. Craftsman‟s love affair with nature shows most in its love of wood and earthy colors that blend with the landscape. Rather than adding a lot of color, Craftsman interiors highlight the texture of the materials used; the quality of the glaze or the subtleties of the color. Natural and grainy textures are exaggerated, including quarter-sawn woods, rough textures and matte surfaces. The look of age and the 12


look of wear are equally welcome! Pottery and tile are favorite Craftsman accents. The more one-of-a-kind, the better. Even factory-made pieces have hand-crafted qualities! Pieces are minimally decorated, with nature-inspired colors and low-glazes all thatâ€&#x;s needed. Irregular or organicallyshaped pieces are loved most‌ they contrast all the straight furniture lines! Rugs and artwork may recall the medieval-inspired patterns of William Morris, the geometric designs of Frank Lloyd Wright or the hand-crafted folk or Aztec textiles of the American southwest. A warm, mellow glow is a distinct hallmark of Craftsman lighting. Lamps are always soft, diffused or filtered, usually through a colored glass, rather than a fabric shade.

The preference to blend in with the landscape (rather than stand out!) inspires a landscape orientation‌ wide rather than tall mirrors, strong horizontal bands and broad overhangs that feel protective, quiet and unobtrusive. And what could be simpler than a love affair with earthy greens and browns? Craftsman patterns avoid exact, detailed replication of an object. Patterns are stylized: just the details that make a plant recognizable are used; unimportant details are omitted. This removal of shading and depth makes patterns look two-dimensional, medieval or primitive. Such flatlooking patterns make them suitable to wall coverings and fabrics. As Craftsman style blended with Mission styles, a range of simple native American patterns were integrated.

The much-favored golden brown finish of Craftsman furniture has an organic simplicity all its own. A native American carpet hanging, lowglaze pottery and a hammered metal lamp are equally simple and natureinspired. Bungalow Baby, Aspenhome Furniture.

www.roomplanners.com

simple details... Glass doors with simple wood or metal mullions are popular on Craftsman furniture and cabinets. Handblown or dimpled glass are favorite textures. A simple Japanese lantern and pottery vase mixes well with books! An Arts-and-Crafts stained glass lamp shades (left) recalls medieval cathedral windows. Mica lamp shades (right) are also popular; their warm yellow-orange hue simulates oldfashioned candlelight.

Hand-crafted pottery vases, mugs, bowls and wall tile are ideal for this craft-inspired style! Craftsman pottery looks one-of-akind with organic shapes and textures, low glazes and earthy colors.

A stained glass window looks inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. The rug is an updated interpretation of a William Morris pattern. Flattened flowers, vines and leaves recall medieval art, a time before artists learned threedimensional drawing! Native southwest and Aztec motifs have a similarly flat, primitive look.

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www.KincaidFurniturue.com

HOW TO‌ accessorize Craftsman style! Simple accents and decorating ideas for every room in your home.

Time-worn finishes, uneven, natural weaves and earthy accent pieces make us more relaxed, connect us to nature. These brick-hued walls add extra warmth to this authentic Craftsman style.

botanical prints

hand-crafted glass lantern with iron

woven bins & boxes Latched boxes old-fashioned books

dried branches or fruit in ceramic pitchers & bowls ceramic pottery and mugs

ceramic pitchers and plates ceramic pencil cup

dining room

Rosecroft, Kincaid Furniture

A plank-back cabinet makes the perfect backdrop for displaying ceramic plates, pitchers or latched bins. A simple bowl-shaped glass lantern looks hand-blown. Fruit in a ceramic bowl, dried branches in a ceramic pitcher and botanical prints add warmth. Woven blinds

home office

Rosecroft, Kincaid Furniture

A stained glass Tudor rose is fitted into iron grill cabinet doors. Handmade pottery, old-fashioned books (take the paper jackets off to make them look older!) and woven bins match the warmth of Craftsman wood cabinets.

Spiky plants

stained glass lamp

Simple art prints

Leather chair earthenware and pottery

benches

bedroom

textured throw Rosecroft, Kincaid Furniture

A flip-top bench anchors this warm Mission-styled bed. Simple matchstick blinds cover dark window frames. A nubby, mosscolored throw complements the brick-colored walls; a collection of matte pottery and artwork draws our eye to the drawer chest.

roomplanners + www.roomplanners.com

Hand-woven pillows

Worn-looking Aztec or oriental area rug

living room

woven storage bins

Rosecroft, Kincaid Furniture

Hand-woven fabric, top-grain leather, woven bins and a mix of brick red and chestnut brown hues give this living room hearty warmth. The area rug reinforces the wall color; its native pattern adds a hand-crafted ambiance.

= ideas you can use 14


As if there’s not already a lot of reasons to love Craftsman style… here’s one more.

Modern Craftsman, Stanley Furniture

The style is easily updated for a more urban look. That’s right! A style that set out to be sturdy, simple and smart can also be stylish! See what’s new this fall in Craftsman furniture… and how to freshen up the look for more contemporary tastes!

Craftsman:

update

More than a century after the first Morris wallpapers and Stickley chairs, Craftsman style is anything but yesterday‟s news! The style‟s sturdy furniture, smart features and simple materials make it just as welcome today. New Craftsman styles are on tap this fall… not to replace the ever-popular authentic Craftsman looks, but to expand our options! As rustic as it‟s perceived to be, Craftsman style shares many of the same values as modern style! Modernists‟ less-is-more and form-follows-function dictates suit Craftsman style too. But Craftsman‟s warmth make it just as suitable for today‟s urban lofts and city suites as it is to bungalowstyle homes, lodges and suburban homes.

With it‟s warm, grainy wood finish and Craftsman details, this handsome bedroom is authentic Craftsman style. But placing it next to taupe-colored walls and chic black-and-white prints, the style looks fresh and almost contemporary. Bungalow Baby, Aspenhome Furniture

Check out the best new Craftsman looks hitting furniture stores this fall. 15


UPDATE THE LOOK! If your tastes run urban or modern rather than rustic, check out these seven ways to update Craftsman-style rooms and furniture! 

choose furniture and fixtures with dark iron accents rather than brass, chrome or stainless steel

paint the walls white or a cool, pristine off -white color; rustic, grainy woods look fresh and updated against very light colors

keep walls bare; use large, minimal accessories above furniture and keep the wall spaces between pieces of furniture empty

add touches of black on picture frames, lamp shades, chairs or placemats

hang botanical prints or black-and-white artwork in dark or light frames

use polished hardwood floors in a light or dark finish

lean rather than hang pictures; prop them up above mantels, ledges or sofa tables

A matching sofa set in solid-colored fabric or leather looks almost modern. A touch of black on the picture frame and artwork adds city-style sophistication. A traditional Craftsman lamp stands out against light-colored walls and a dark wood floor. Broyhill Furniture

Sturdy school-house chairs replace conventional Craftsman-style chairs in this new collection by Stanley Furniture. But the sturdy, vertical slats show their roots in Craftsman style. Painted black, the table and chairs look chic and sophisticated enough for the city! The cross-brace table base recalls modern industrial warehouses. Modern Craftsman, Stanley Furniture

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cooking quarters

craft a

summer supper as easy as 1-2-3

Check out these side dishes, carefully crafted to go with your favorite summer entrée! This sturdy side dish puts a new spin on an old favorite. Grilled Potato Salad (Makes 4 servings)

grilled potato salad

2 lb (1 kg) mini red or white new potatoes 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil Freshly grated pepper, to taste 8 slices bacon, chopped 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1/3 cup (75 mL) Ranch or Caesar salad dressing Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese Place potatoes (with skins) in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until barely tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well. Cut potatoes in half and place in a bowl. Add olive oil and pepper; toss gently to coat. Place potatoes in a grill basket; grill over medium-high heat until lightly grill-marked, about 10 minutes, turning occasionally. (Grilling step may be omitted: cook potatoes in first step until fork-tender). Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Place on a paper towel to drain. Place grilled potatoes in a bowl. Add bacon, green onions and dressing. Toss gently to coat. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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grilled potato salad

apple cranberry coleslaw

ice cream pie

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it’s sturdy!

it’s smart!

it’s simple! 17


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apple cranberry coleslaw

ice cream pie

Not eating your apple a day? Throw a few slices into this health-smart salad. Mixed with cranberries and a tasty dressing, this favorite side dish hides how smart it really is!

It doesn’t get simpler than this quick, easy and very tasty dessert. Best of all? No one will know how little time you spent making it!

Apple Cranbery Coleslaw (Makes 4 servings)

Ice Cream Pie (Makes 6 servings)

1/2 pkg (l lb/454 g) coleslaw mix 1 large apple, cored and diced Handful of dried cranberries Prepared Poppyseed salad dressing, to taste

4 cups (1 L) vanilla ice cream, softened slightly ¾ cup (175 mL) frozen juice concentrate, thawed slightly (see Tip) 1 prepared 9” (23 cm) crumb crust (e.g. graham wafer, vanilla wafer or Oreo) Garnish: fruit, fruit sauce, toasted nuts and/or coconut

In a medium bowl, combine coleslaw mix, apple, cranberries and enough Poppyseed dressing to just coat mixture. Toss to blend ingredients. Adjust amount of dressing, if necessary. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for an hour to blend flavors. TIP:  If cranberries are a little too dry, combine with a couple of tablespoonsful (about 30 mL) orange or apple juice and heat for 30 to 40 seconds in the microwave, just long enough for them to soften. 

Use orange-flavored dried cranberries, if available. If desired, substitute a can of mandarin oranges (drained) or 1 peeled and chopped orange for the apple.

Combine ice cream and juice concentrate mixing just until blended. Spoon into crust. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. At serving time, cut into wedges using a knife dipped in hot water and wiped with a paper towel. You may need to let pie stand at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. Garnish as desired. TIP:  Vary garnish as desired. Try strawberry-kiwi juice concentrate with sliced kiwis; raspberry juice concentrate with raspberry coulis; pink lemonade with sliced strawberries; orange juice concentrate with mandarin orange slices and grated chocolate; and pineapple juice concentrate with toasted coconut.

cooking quarters Wendi Hiebert is a home economist and food writer, living in Kitchener, Ontario. For more of her recipes, visit www.CookingQuarters. wordpress.com

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