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Characterized by its emphasis on natural materials, handcrafted details, and functional elegance, the Craftsman style brings a sense of comfort and sophistication to any home. In this article, we explore how one couple created a Craftsman-style dining room and provide tips on how you can achieve this look as well.
What is the Craftsman Style?
The American Craftsman, or Craftsman style, is an architectural style that was first seen in the final years of the 19th century. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, the design took off in the 20th century and focused on a return to simplicity, handicraft, and natural materials.
The Craftsman style’s common architectural features include overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, handcrafted stone or woodwork, and a wide front porch. Inside, the Craftsman home would often have mixed materials, homespun textiles, copper hardware, built-in cabinetry, and stained-oak furniture with simple yet sturdy designs.
Pro Tip: Gustav Stickley, the furniture maker and publisher whose magazine The Craftsman helped popularize the movement, summed up the philosophy behind the style: “A house reduced to its simplest form, which never fails to harmonize with its surroundings, because its low, broad proportions and absolute lack of ornament give it a character so natural and unaffected that it seems to sing into a blend with any landscape.”
“We Went Craftsman Crazy”
When Dan and Joann Sundstrom decided to add more warmth to their California home, they turned to the Craftsman movement and Gustav Stickley for inspiration. The style’s emphasis on sturdy, down-to-earth design made their dining room a cozy and inviting space. Key elements of their transformation included leather-accented seating, a plush William Morris pattern rug, and saffron-hued walls that create a golden glow throughout the room.
The centerpiece of their dining room is a 7-1/2-foot-long table that Dan, an avid woodworker, built from quarter-sawn white oak. “I picked up the design from a book of Stickley furniture plans,” he says. Dan’s craftsmanship extended to the room’s molding and picture frames, showcasing the true spirit of the Craftsman style.
How To Create a Craftsman-Style Dining Room
Here’s a look at how Dan and Joann introduced the Craftsman style into their home and tips for adding it to yours.
Art Tiles
Incorporating decorative tiles is a hallmark of Craftsman-style design. These ceramic squares often feature nature-inspired motifs or geometric patterns.
When selecting art tiles, choose designs with rich, earthy colors that complement your overall cover scheme. Placing the tile in unexpected areas, such as around a fireplace or as a backsplash, can create a dramatic effect. To maximize their impact, frame them in custom woodwork that matches your room’s trim or furniture.
Pro Tip: A hundred years ago, ceramic tiles were far more than utilitarian surfaces—they were covered with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and bold figures to enliven foyer floors, wainscoted dining room walls, and living room fireplace surrounds. As Bill Stern, executive director of the Museum of California Design and a Los Angeles tile collector, puts it: “They were the art of the everyday.”
Gold-Hued Paint
The right wall color can dramatically transform your dining room’s ambiance. Deep, earthy yellows are a popular choice for Craftsman-style interiors, as they create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
As with all paints, test several shades of gold-hued paint before finding the one best suited for your home. Keep the space’s natural light in mind, too, as it can affect how the color appears during different times of day.
Dan and Joann went with Saffron Thread from Sherwin-Williams’ Duration Home Interior Latex line.
Pro Tip: Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, explains that in a room where orange-tinged woods are the standout detail, you have two approaches: “One option is to balance warm wood tones with cool colors like blue or slate gray.” The other way to go is “to create a look that’s all about warmth,” says Wadden. That means using related colors like yellow and red, which turn up the volume on the usually subdued earth tones in a Craftsman color scheme.
Tiffany-Style Pendant Lamp
Lighting impacts the ambiance of your Craftsman-style dining room. Tiffany-style pendant lamps are an iconic choice that adds both beauty and functionality to the space.
We recommend selecting designs with warm-toned glass and a featured nature-inspired motif, such as flowers, leaves, or geometric patterns. You’ll also want to choose a size that complements your dining table without overwhelming the space.
If you’d like to go further with the lighting, add wall sconces or table lamps with similar Craftsman designs.
Hand-Thrown Pottery
Incorporating handcrafted elements is a must if you’re aiming for an authentic Craftsman-style look. For example, hand-thrown pottery, such as vases, bowls, and serving dishes, adds texture to the dining room. You’ll want to select pieces that are in organic shapes with earthy glazes. Have some fun and mix and match different styles to create a stunning display. You can display your pottery on open shelves, in a cabinet, or as centerpieces on your dining table.
Trestle Table
A sturdy, well-crafted dining table is the heart of any Craftsman-style dining room. Trestle tables, with their strong lines and solid construction, are an excellent choice for this design.
Dan built his own, which you might want to do, too. If you’d prefer to buy, choose a table made from high-quality hardwood, such as oak or cherry, that has a design showcasing the natural grain and beauty of the wood. One example is an oak dining table with a Mission-style base (shown above), which was built by Amish craftsmen.
Tapestry Rug
A well-chosen rug can tie your entire dining room together. For the best look, choose a tapestry rug that can fit under the dining table and chairs, even if the chairs are pulled out. The patterns should complement your existing decor and color scheme. We recommend going with high-quality materials for durability and easy maintenance. Dan and Joann went with a New Zealand wool carpet that features a pattern by William Morris.
Pro Tip: As featured in This Old House Magazine, the Sundstroms drew their design cues directly from Gustav Stickley and the Craftsman movement, with its emphasis on sturdy, down-to-earth design. In their dining room, the plush William Morris pattern rug works alongside leather-accented seating and saffron-hued walls to create an inviting, handcrafted warmth.
Rustic Tableware
You have quite a few options when selecting rustic tableware for your Craftsman-style dining room. From ceramic plates and bowls with organic shapes and earthy glazes to dinnerware and flatware with nature-inspired motifs or simple, elegant designs, the choices are endless. Opt for serving pieces that showcase natural materials, such as wood or hammered material.
Mix and match different pieces to better reflect the style’s handcrafted spirit.
It’s the Details
The suggestions above are a fantastic start, but you want to make the space your own. When designing your own Craftsman-style dining room, it’s important to keep the features of the style in mind. We recommend going with warm, earthy palettes and maintaining a focus on functionality and simplicity.
For example, natural materials are at the heart of the American Craftsman style. Think about using potted plants, fresh flowers, woven baskets, natural fiber curtains, or wooden picture frames.
Handcrafted is another core aspect of the design. Installing custom-built cabinetry, built-in shelving units, stained glass windows, handcrafted light switch plates, and decorative wood trim around windows and doorways can be excellent finishing touches.
Our Conclusion
Creating a Craftsman-style dining room is a rewarding endeavor that results in a warm, inviting space perfect for gathering with family and friends. By incorporating key elements, including natural materials, handcrafted details, and a warm color palette, you can transform your dining room into a timeless retreat that embodies the beauty and functionality of this beloved design movement.
