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hi, buying this house. can anyone tell me the style?

17 years ago

Hi, my husband fell in love with this house, so we decided to buy it. The problem is that I know nothing about this style of house and therefore am stumped as to how to decorate it. Any help?

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Comments (10)

housekeeping
17 years ago
It has an Arts and Crafts look to me. That was a style that orinated in late 19th c England and migrated here to the US to emerge as something often described as Craftsman.

Your building looks to be a more Arts and Crafts style than Craftsman, though.

As for decorating, the A & C style arose from a philosphy that was in revolt from the previous taste (Victorian) of over-decoration on every surface. But far from being a spartan, minimalist style, at least to our modern eyes, A & C had beautiful, well-furnished look, as well. The workshops of William Morris (UK) were in the Arts and Crafts mode. Here in the US, Gustav Stickley made his name in A&C furniture.

You should be able to locate books on both the exterior and interior styles.

Your house has remarkable views!

Molly~
kec01
17 years ago
It's definitely arts and crafts and has many elements of being a 2 story bungalow. These pix show it beautifully and the location is wonderful. Whatever you do, don't paint the interior woodwork!
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You can add a lot of color and brightness through the use of accessories. You can add them all in a single color...as here they focused on the coral... ...or gold ...or any other color, preferably a bright one. Or you can add multiple colors such as aqua, orange and acid green as suggested by this design seed. You can even choose stark white as your accent color. Regardless of color, take a look at the pictures above and notice how much interest is added through texture and pattern. And notice how the window treatments are used to reinforce the color theme. Especially in the first one, notice how important the color in the art is to the room as a whole. Here's a room that is all white, beige and brown, yet notice all the textures that keep the room interesting...pattern on the rug, another on the throw pillows, texture on the white pillows, wood, ceramics, pattern on the window treatments, leather on one chair, velvet on the other texture in the sea shells. So there's a lot you can do with brown to make it bright and keep it interesting...just choose carefully what else you put in the room and the brown will become a neutral background for whatever color story you wish to tell.
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vjrnts
17 years ago
I'll second that. The woodwork is perfect as it is, please don't paint it.

For Arts & Crafts interiors junkies, the TV program "Numb3rs" has a wonderful example. I watch the show impatiently waiting for the main characters to go home so I can look at that house.
fuzzywuzzer
17 years ago
What a gorgeous house!! On a -- is it a river or a lake? Lucky lucky you. You might be interested in reading American Bungalow magazine.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Bungalow Magazine
fqp25
17 years ago
I can't quite answer your question. I might have to live there for at least a year. Is that OK with you? I won't charge you a thing... Nice house!!!
bulldinkie
17 years ago
Thats really a neat place, Enjoy it!!!!!!
velardern
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for all the responses:O) The house is located right near Deception Pass State Park in Washington. We're moving into the house in a month or so, so I'm just trying to understand the history of the style of house. I'm used to new houses, so I imagine this will take some getting used to...as will cooking on a gas stove which I've never done!!
fuzzywuzzer
17 years ago
Once you go gas, you'll never go back! Congrats on your beautiful new old house. I hope you have a wonderful time with it.
joyce_6333
17 years ago
Wonderful house and location! I must warn you, these homes can become addictive! But such fun!

I recommend this book by Treena Crochet. You'll soon have a whole library of these great books on the Arts and Crafts period.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bungalow Style
User
17 years ago
Oh we were right up there last August. We loved the area. My SIL and BIL are in Bellingham. He is with Shell in Anacortes. We also got out to Orcas and up to BC. I ran on the PCT and had a wonderful time ! You are very lucky to be in such a great area. Gorgeous home. Caroline

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