The Craftsman Architectural Style
The Craftsman architectural style became popular in the United States in the early 1900s, around the same time that the Victorian style started to lose favor. While the Victorian style is known for its ornate detailing, the Craftsman style favored a return to hand-crafted simplicity, clean, horizontal lines, and an appreciation for artisanal woodwork.
One of its most well-known advocates was Gustav Stickley, furniture maker, founder, and editor of The Craftsman magazine — which sold blueprints for homes designed in the Craftsman style, in an effort to make it accessible to the masses. It was important to Stickley that function take priority in design, and the style was meant for the working man.
The Craftsman architectural style’s exterior features include gable roofs that extend past the home’s exterior walls, exposed rafters under the eves, double-hanging windows, and spacious covered porches with thick, tapered columns. Interior features often include beautiful wood detailing and built-ins such as shelving, window seats, and bookcases. Also common are boxed beams along the ceilings, and large fireplaces with mantels.
Well-constructed and hearty, Craftsman style homes are still common today across the country and in New Orleans. Well over 100 years old, these homes can be found in Mid-City, the Uptown University area, Gentilly, and Lakeview. The style is usually associated with one and two-story bungalows, as well as New Orleans’ raised basement homes.
Take a look at a few charming Craftsman style listings:
8000 Panola Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
1227 Leonidas St., New Orleans, LA 70118
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