Kitchen Design
3 Pros’ Own Kitchens, Inspired by Arts and Crafts Style
Millwork, hand-glazed tile, lighting and other handcrafted details honor the movement
The Arts and Crafts movement began in Europe in the late 19th century as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution. It emphasized an appreciation for handcrafted details and the promotion of health through connections to the outdoors — elements that are enjoying a revival in homes today as well. The American interpretation of Arts and Crafts architecture produced several home styles: Prairie, Mission Revival, California bungalow, Foursquare and Craftsman. The interiors of these homes feature beautifully crafted millwork, built-ins and cabinetry; handblown and stained glass; handcrafted decorative ceramics; warm color and material palettes; natural materials and nature-inspired motifs; and cozy areas such as fireplace nooks.
The following pros all gleaned inspiration from Arts and Crafts architecture when renovating their own kitchens. A St. Paul, Minnesota, couple used an extensive knowledge of architectural history to craft a kitchen addition that looks like it has always been part of their 1922 Prairie-style home. A Seattle couple teamed up to renovate the kitchen in their 1920s Craftsman using reclaimed materials. And a builder who is passionate about Passive House principles incorporated Craftsman inspiration in the architecture of a new home he built for his family. None of these renovations are new, but the kitchens remain timeless, in keeping with their classic style. Here’s a peek at these pros’ kitchens.
The following pros all gleaned inspiration from Arts and Crafts architecture when renovating their own kitchens. A St. Paul, Minnesota, couple used an extensive knowledge of architectural history to craft a kitchen addition that looks like it has always been part of their 1922 Prairie-style home. A Seattle couple teamed up to renovate the kitchen in their 1920s Craftsman using reclaimed materials. And a builder who is passionate about Passive House principles incorporated Craftsman inspiration in the architecture of a new home he built for his family. None of these renovations are new, but the kitchens remain timeless, in keeping with their classic style. Here’s a peek at these pros’ kitchens.
Because the cabinetry is the star of the room, the couple chose a soft green for the tile and countertops to complement it. The hand-glazed tiles are part of the Revival Classics collection by Mission Tile West, which was inspired by 1920s and ’30s tile design. The counters are Typhoon Green granite.
The area seen here provides a spot to display favorite pieces from the couple’s many collections, including Russel Wright and other pottery and art glass from the 1920s through the early 1960s.
The area seen here provides a spot to display favorite pieces from the couple’s many collections, including Russel Wright and other pottery and art glass from the 1920s through the early 1960s.
The peninsula at left runs parallel to the range wall and separates the kitchen from the breakfast area, whose walls are painted in two tones, with more of Trimbelle River Studio’s stenciling in between.
The breakfast area features an original Stickley Brothers table with a Harvey Ellis inlay and reproduction Stickley chairs. The built-in shelves are for cookbooks, magazines and other items from the couple’s collections. The new casement windows match the home’s original windows.
The lighting is also custom. The artisans at Lundberg Studios made the blown-glass shades, and the light fixtures were made by local company Lightworks.
Upper wall paint: Philadelphia Cream, Benjamin Moore; lower wall paint: Sandy Hook Gray, Benjamin Moore; windows: Marvin
The breakfast area features an original Stickley Brothers table with a Harvey Ellis inlay and reproduction Stickley chairs. The built-in shelves are for cookbooks, magazines and other items from the couple’s collections. The new casement windows match the home’s original windows.
The lighting is also custom. The artisans at Lundberg Studios made the blown-glass shades, and the light fixtures were made by local company Lightworks.
Upper wall paint: Philadelphia Cream, Benjamin Moore; lower wall paint: Sandy Hook Gray, Benjamin Moore; windows: Marvin
Heide and Crull love to change things up in the house and rearrange the rooms, especially for the seasons. In this variation, the breakfast nook is serving as a home office. They even switch out the glass shades on the light fixture seasonally — this deep red is for summer; amber shades are swapped in for winter to allow more light to shine through.
The classic Arts and Crafts style of the kitchen, which the couple renovated some years ago and haven’t changed, has held up. A bathroom renovation has been keeping them busy lately — stay tuned.
Learn more about this kitchen
The classic Arts and Crafts style of the kitchen, which the couple renovated some years ago and haven’t changed, has held up. A bathroom renovation has been keeping them busy lately — stay tuned.
Learn more about this kitchen
2. Eco-Friendly Update for a 1920s Seattle Craftsman
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Bruce Parker, founder of Microhouse, and Vinita Sidhu, a landscape architect
Location: Seattle
Size: 135 square feet (13 square meters)
Bruce Parker is the founder and lead designer of Microhouse, a “collaborative passionate about the design of backyard cottages, small houses and their communities.” His wife, Vinita Sidhu, is the project landscape architect. So they were experienced in making the most of small spaces. But the tiny galley kitchen in their 1920s Seattle kitchen was too small and dysfunctional even for them — there wasn’t enough room for a refrigerator in the space.
They had three priorities when renovating the kitchen: honoring the original architecture of the home, making sure the space functioned well for modern life and completing the project as sustainably as possible. They stayed within the home’s original footprint by removing an unusable chimney and enclosing the back porch. And they sourced reclaimed wood and glass to use throughout the room for the cabinetry, floors and island.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Bruce Parker, founder of Microhouse, and Vinita Sidhu, a landscape architect
Location: Seattle
Size: 135 square feet (13 square meters)
Bruce Parker is the founder and lead designer of Microhouse, a “collaborative passionate about the design of backyard cottages, small houses and their communities.” His wife, Vinita Sidhu, is the project landscape architect. So they were experienced in making the most of small spaces. But the tiny galley kitchen in their 1920s Seattle kitchen was too small and dysfunctional even for them — there wasn’t enough room for a refrigerator in the space.
They had three priorities when renovating the kitchen: honoring the original architecture of the home, making sure the space functioned well for modern life and completing the project as sustainably as possible. They stayed within the home’s original footprint by removing an unusable chimney and enclosing the back porch. And they sourced reclaimed wood and glass to use throughout the room for the cabinetry, floors and island.
The couple designed all of the cabinetry together, with inspiration from Greene and Greene, the architectural masters who designed the Gamble House, a paragon of American Arts and Crafts architecture in Pasadena, California.
The cabinets, shelving and window frames are reclaimed fir. The floors are salvaged oak topnail. The backsplash tile and countertops are not reclaimed, but the couple used durable materials that can stand up to a lot of serious cooking and prep work, as well as fit into the period look. The tiles are from the Ann Sacks Element series and the countertops are honed black granite.
Natural light was also an important part of the sustainable design. The windows were placed where they could capture the eastern and northern light. Forgoing upper cabinets for windows also made the relatively compact kitchen feel larger and more open.
The cabinets, shelving and window frames are reclaimed fir. The floors are salvaged oak topnail. The backsplash tile and countertops are not reclaimed, but the couple used durable materials that can stand up to a lot of serious cooking and prep work, as well as fit into the period look. The tiles are from the Ann Sacks Element series and the countertops are honed black granite.
Natural light was also an important part of the sustainable design. The windows were placed where they could capture the eastern and northern light. Forgoing upper cabinets for windows also made the relatively compact kitchen feel larger and more open.
The couple made up for lost storage space with a wall of cabinetry inspired by the home’s style, also in reclaimed fir. The glass doors make the long run of cabinets feel less imposing and reflect light.
The island/high-top table has a fun story behind it. Parker’s father happened upon an old ship’s hatch on the beach back in the 1960s. The piece now serves as the island countertop, infusing the room with some family history.
The couple finished the kitchen renovation a decade ago and feel the style has stood the test of time. In fact, it remains their favorite room. “We like the warmth of the fir cabinets and the abundant natural light even when it is dreary out like it is today,” Parker says. “We really like it and, as it is for most people, aside from when we are sleeping it is the room we spend the most time in.”
Learn more about this kitchen renovation
The island/high-top table has a fun story behind it. Parker’s father happened upon an old ship’s hatch on the beach back in the 1960s. The piece now serves as the island countertop, infusing the room with some family history.
The couple finished the kitchen renovation a decade ago and feel the style has stood the test of time. In fact, it remains their favorite room. “We like the warmth of the fir cabinets and the abundant natural light even when it is dreary out like it is today,” Parker says. “We really like it and, as it is for most people, aside from when we are sleeping it is the room we spend the most time in.”
Learn more about this kitchen renovation
3. New Passive Home in Oregon Gleans Inspiration from Craftsman Style
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Builder Carl Christianson; his wife, Julie; and their three children
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Size: 225 square feet (21 square meters)
When building a new passive home for their family of five, builder Carl Christianson and his wife, Julie, used Houzz to help with the home’s style. This kitchen they found on their searches inspired the color scheme of blues and greens. And they admired the Craftsman detailing in this Seattle home, using it as inspiration for the casing around the wide opening between the living room and kitchen. The opening allows light from the kitchen windows to be shared by the living room. The windows’ tilt-and-turn functionality lets fresh air flow through the spaces.
In addition to all the daylight, LED tape lights under the cabinets, island and a recessed cove in the ceiling provide task lighting and a glow. They also add some fun ambiance, as they can change color through an app. Recessed ceiling lights and two large pendants over the island complete the lighting scheme.
The floors are character-grade hickory, full of variation in color and knots. “We did not put down any carpeting in the house because it’s not good for allergies,” Carl says.
Lanterns: Essex collection, DVI Lighting
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Builder Carl Christianson; his wife, Julie; and their three children
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Size: 225 square feet (21 square meters)
When building a new passive home for their family of five, builder Carl Christianson and his wife, Julie, used Houzz to help with the home’s style. This kitchen they found on their searches inspired the color scheme of blues and greens. And they admired the Craftsman detailing in this Seattle home, using it as inspiration for the casing around the wide opening between the living room and kitchen. The opening allows light from the kitchen windows to be shared by the living room. The windows’ tilt-and-turn functionality lets fresh air flow through the spaces.
In addition to all the daylight, LED tape lights under the cabinets, island and a recessed cove in the ceiling provide task lighting and a glow. They also add some fun ambiance, as they can change color through an app. Recessed ceiling lights and two large pendants over the island complete the lighting scheme.
The floors are character-grade hickory, full of variation in color and knots. “We did not put down any carpeting in the house because it’s not good for allergies,” Carl says.
Lanterns: Essex collection, DVI Lighting
The large north-facing windows over the sink let in sunlight. The size of the windows dictated much of the layout. This view is of an orchard and edible gardens out back. Christianson concentrated the appliances on the adjacent wall.
The blue-and-green inspiration kitchen the couple found in their searches inspired the color scheme and introduced them to this Heath Ceramics backsplash tile. Heath has been making tile in California since 1948, with “honor the hand” as a core value. It’s a principle that echoes those of the Arts and Crafts movement.
The quartz countertops have veining with flecks of blue and green, tying them to the green backsplash tile and the blue island base. The stovetop is induction.
Backsplash tile: 2-by-4-inch in Meadow Green, Heath Ceramics
The quartz countertops have veining with flecks of blue and green, tying them to the green backsplash tile and the blue island base. The stovetop is induction.
Backsplash tile: 2-by-4-inch in Meadow Green, Heath Ceramics
The kitchen is open to the dining room, which also enjoys lots of natural light and views of the landscape. Although the kitchen isn’t overtly Craftsman, its simple style complements the other Craftsman-inspired details seen throughout the house. And elements such as the Mission-style chairs and lighting nod to the Arts and Crafts era.
Learn more about this house
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Learn more about this house
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect and interior designer David Heide and interior designer Michael Crull of David Heide Design Studio
Location: Summit Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters), including breakfast room
When design pros David Heide and Michael Crull bought this 1922 Prairie School house in St. Paul, Minnesota, it had its pros and cons. While the home still had many of its original Arts and Crafts architectural details, it was a mess and had a color palette that Heide, whose expertise includes historic preservation, described as “baby blue and dirt.”
But the couple’s design skills and relationships with talented craftspeople allowed them to envision all it could be. A new addition off the back allowed them to build a beautifully crafted kitchen complete with custom Arts and Crafts-inspired details, handmade tile, bespoke lighting and opportunities to switch up the style and function when they want to.
Custom red birch cabinetry by cabinetmaker Jon Frost was inspired by the original woodwork in the home. Special details include cutouts under the sink, brackets underneath the upper cabinets and feet on the lower cabinets. These touches make the cabinetry appear original to the century-old house. The knobs are amber glass. The couple had stenciling added above the cabinets by Trimbelle River Studio, a company that specializes in Arts and Crafts stenciling.
Range: Wolf; subway tile: Revival, Mission Tile West