The Arts and Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement 1860 - 1910

http://uvac.uvic.ca/gallery/katharinemaltwood/arts-and-crafts-movement-film-project/

The arts and crafts movement was founded by William Morris and began in England but also became popular in the United States. The arts and crafts movement was a reaction against the elaborate decorations of the Victorian Period.

 During the Victorian Period the consumer culture was born. Factories were able to pump things out faster than if each piece was being carefully crafted. Now the middle class could fill their homes with furniture, but at the price of it not being well made and long lasting. The arts and crafts movement was also a reaction against the cheap factory made products and the Industrial Revolution.

Original furniture from the Arts and Crafts Movement


Characteristics of the Arts and Crafts Movement:

• Completely hand made
• Wood joints visible (so the consumer can see how it is made)
• Based on Medieval designs (Gothic)
• Influenced by shaker furniture (for its simplicity) 
• Oak wood (and a lot of it) with strong visible grain
• very heavy furniture
• exposed hinges

Essentially:

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful 

or believe to be beautiful."

- William Morris 

Chair from the Arts and Crafts Movement

Gamble House, Original Arts and Crafts Ceiling 

Modern Day Interiors Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement:
Notice the wood beams on the ceilings, the simple furniture, use of
wood, the exposed hinges and the overall Gothic feel of some of the
spaces, and the light fixtures. In my opinion the spaces have
successfully created arts and crafts spaces while keeping it modern.

Modern day Arts and Crafts inspired interior

Modern Kitchen Influenced by Arts and Crafts

Modern day couch inspired by the Arts and Crafts