Craftsman

In the early 1900s, just after the turn of the century, and perhaps in reaction to the highly ornate, arguably gaudy styling, of Queen Anne, Eastlake and other Victorian style homes, the distinctively American Craftsman movement was born and quickly built momentum.  In 1901 Gustav Stickley created and published The Craftsman magazine to advertise his company’s furniture, but more importantly to feature house designs and plans (often Bungalows) and expressed a distinct philosophy towards life.  Stickley believed that simplicity and practicality led to happiness and holistic health.  His magazine offered simple floor plans with practical layouts and efficient design features.  The Craftsman’s beauty would be found in the architects’ and builders’ craftsmanship and in their attention to detail.  Much like the Japanese belief in minimalistic designs executed with precision, Craftsman houses were built with skill, precision and used quality local materials.  Some of the efficient features included space-saving built-in furniture, buffets and kitchen cabinets.  A Craftsman owner would also likely be the type to buy the latest in appliances and such, in an attempt to reclaim more free time or simply make running a household that much easier; ideals that are commonly found in Portland to this day. 

Anyone who has been inside a Craftsman will quickly recognize many of the common elements, such as a large open living room opening onto an equally open dining area, usually with a built-in buffet.   In keeping with the efficiency theme, many of those buffets had pass-throughs directly to the kitchen.  Living rooms had large centered fireplaces with built in bookcases surrounding them.  Every feature was considered thoughtfully in hopes of providing a simple and, therefore, healthy and happy living. 

As with any style, there was a certain amount of freedom within the Craftsman movement.  However, most Craftsman share a certain amount of common elements, such as moderately-to-steeply pitched roofs with eaves extending quite a bit.  Roofs could be hipped or gabled, often both styles were used on a single house, and might have extended and exposed beams, exposed rafters.  Many Craftsman have gabled dormers, as well.  Wrap-around porches were very common with the roof generally covering the front portion, while the side portions of the porch could be covered or not. 

Stylistic elements:

• 1, 1 ½ or 2 stories
• Open floor plans
• Moderately-to-steeply pitched roofs
• Broad extending eaves with exposed rafters or beams
• Gabled dormers
• Wrap-around porches, usually covered in the front
• Windows – double-hung and placed asymmetrically
• Picture windows in main living areas

Historic Craftsman:

• Belle and Maude Ainsworth – 2542 SW Hillcrest Dr.
• Henry Hahn – 2636 NW Cornell Rd.
• J.S. Bradley – 2111 SW Vista Ave

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