Arts and Crafts Movement (1860-1930)

Sunflower, 1879, William Morris

The Arts and Crafts movement was a creation of the rebellion against two opposing factors: the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian period. This reform movement was heavily based off of the ideals of its designers and artists focused on a industrialized world. They wanted to bring back the appreciation of craftsmanship. While the movement originally began in England in the 1860's, a second wave of designers influenced beginning in 1910.

There are eight major characteristics that can be applied to the style of Arts and Crafts. Everything is handmade (this mostly applied to English craftsman ship), the wood joints are visible, there are undertones of Medieval/Gothic designs, there was influence of shaker furniture, there is a predominate use of oak, the designs are simple and true, the furniture is very heavy in appearance, and there are large exposed hinges.

William Morris Arm Chair Design

One of the key influences in the Arts and Crafts movement was William Morris (1834-1896). His company Morris, Marshall & Faulkner, produced a series of renowned works that included church decor, stained glass, textiles, and furniture. His pieces were an inspiration to the formation of craft guilds. Morris was not only a designer and business man but he was also very well educated as a writer and a poet. 

Red House, 1959, Philip Webb

Some of the other main contributors of the British arts and crafts movement included the English architect and designer, Philip Webb. He was began his practice in 1859 and one of his first projects was the Red House for the Morris family. He constructed many country homes and one of his signature moves was the use of paneling painted white wood. He and Morris joined forces because Webb, too, was against the industrial revolution as well as commercialism. 

Other influence designers in first wave of the arts and crafts period included Rosessti and Godwin. When the movement reached America, artists such as Voysey, Mackintosh, Lutyens, and the Greene brothers came to the forefront. 

Modern Applications

Heavy application of wood throughout.

Heavy use of floral textiles and wood throughout.

A modern take on Voysey's The Orchard.

Other Blogs

I read Alex's blog on the Arts and Crafts Movement and I really like how she broke down the sections individually to focus on each section. I really liked her modern applications section because she was able to find modern twists and different pieces of furniture from the time period like the Mackintosh chair.

I also read Flor's blog and I like how she brought up images of renovated homes that were part of the arts and crafts movement as well. I really liked the Lily Pulitzer take of the William Morris floral designs. 

Additional Links!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYjNO2Y4m6c