Gustav Stickley
Craftsman Bungalow House Plans – Usually Include a Wide Front Porch!
We know them as craftsman bungalows, California, Chicago, or Michigan bungalows, Arts and Crafts bungalows, or just plain bungalows. But what differentiates a bungalow from a Craftsmans home? About 1911, the Craftsman Bungalow Co, Inc in Seattle, Washington, along with Gustav Stickley, published a book of house plans called “Craftsman Bungalows” whose floor plans were based on the Art and Crafts movement of the time. The American Arts and Crafts Movement, an American architectural, design, and decorative arts style, was popular from the late 19th century through the early part of the 20th century. It remained strong until the 1930s. Craftsman homes features included:
- Low-pitched roof lines, gabled or hipped roof
- Deeply overhanging eaves,
- Exposed rafters or decorative brackets under eaves
- Front porch beneath extension of main roof
- Tapered, square columns supporting roof
- 4-over-1 or 6-over-1 double-hung windows
- Frank Lloyd Wright design motifs
- Hand-crafted stone or woodwork
- Mixed materials throughout structure
- A huge front porch equipped with thick, square pedestal-like tapered
- columns supporting the roof of the porch
While some purists insist that only homes built using these Stickley plans can truly be called “Craftsman,” many homes were designed in a style similar to Stickley’s, hence the bungalow. Bungalows originated in India and were normally small one-story homes with wide verandas (or porches). They were later used for homes for British officials of the British Raj, and whose design was later brought to the U.S. where they initially gained high status. In the later part of 19th century they were used as large cottages. A bungalow today is usually a detached residential home which is either single story, or has a second story built into a sloping roof. Here are main characteristics:
- It usually has dormer windows if it has one and a half stories
- House are rather small, however, you may find larger examples that were built in earlier years.
- Low-pitched roofs with very deep porches
- Heavy stone porch column supports that taper as they ascend
- Wide projecting eaves and exposed eave brackets.
- Exterior materials include natural siding, brick, and/or stucco.
- Street-facing gables with composition or shingled roofs
- Dark wood paneling
- A large fireplace
- An arched opening that separated the living room and dining room
- Built-in cabinetry in the dining room and kitchen
As you can see Craftsman homes and bungalows share very similar, if not all, of the same characteristics. No matter how you refer to them, bungalows are one of our favorite home designs. We love the wide expansive porches that make them look cozy and comfortable.
Bungalows were simple and inexpensive to build. Prior to World War I, a bungalow cost under $900. After the war, prices rose to approximately $3,500. Because of their affordability the middle class were able to more rapidly move from apartments to homes in greater numbers. Bungalow designs were spread by the practice of building from mail-order plans available from illustrated catalogs, sometimes with alterations based on local practice or conditions.
Bungalows are found in older neighborhoods in many American cities. Many cities created what are called “Bungalow Belts” of the homes built in the 1920s because they clustered around streetcar lines. Today, you will find neighborhoods of bungalows in almost any city. Bungalows are prized possessions because of their unique and simple designs, built-ins, and their wonderful porches, bungalows are a favorite of many.
About the Author
To learn much more about bungalow floors and to be inspired by many front porch pictures, please visit http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/bungalow-floor-plans.html.
Dave Morris is a co-creator and co-founder of http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com, your portal for front porch ideas and designs. He is a grandfather of seven and lover of the outdoors.
Gustav Stickley’s Exhibit – NJN News