Arts and Crafts Interior Design

William Morris, of the founders of the Arts and Crafts movement wrote "Have nothing in your home that you do not believe to be beautiful or useful" and this principle was applied to the furniture of the Arts and Crafts period.

Gustav Stickley followed this philosophy when he founded Craftsman Workshops. He believed that well-crafted and designed furnishings could help "make life better and truer by its perfect simplicity."

Almost all of Gustav Stickley's furniture was crafted from oak and is marked with a maker's mark - either a paper label or decal (transfer) in black or red. If a piece is genuine, this will usually be found in an obscure place such as behind a drawer or under a seat.

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The simplicity of the arts and crafts style should flow to all areas of the house. Keep ornamentation to a minimum and ensure that all objects are displayed carefully. Pewter plates, goblets and dishes were all popular during the Craftsman era and antique examples can still be found today.

Lighting is particularly important. Natural light is preferable, but stained glass panels and Tiffany lamps can also complement the interior.

Artwork should be hung sparingly. The artwork of the British Arts and Crafts Movement was often medieval in style, but the Craftsman and Mission movements, influenced by the Spanish architecture of the American Southwest, favoured stronger lines. Woodcuts can look particularly fine in these interiors.

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Arts and Crafts patterns are usually sourced from nature. Flowers, fruit, leaves and birds are recurring motifs which appear throughout the period.

William Morris produced some of the most famous Arts and Crafts pattern designs, and you can buy both textiles and wallpapers bearing the same designs today. One of my favourite patterns, 'fruit', is pictured here. This was one of William Morris' earliest creations. You can click on the picture below to go to the Morris & Co Collection website. This lists stockists worldwide.

Geometric designs suit Mission/Craftsman interiors well. Pick out Navajo rugs and tapestry cushions to complement dark leather and wood and add splashes of colour.