Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty | Know Your Architecture: Craftsman

Craftsman architecture, also known as Arts and Crafts, was a reaction to the excesses of Victorian architecture. It marked a return to simplicity, beginning in Britain in the late 1880s and America at the turn of the century, where it was popular until Ranch architecture took over after World War II. It has since come back into vogue, where it will likely stay, because Craftsman’s cozy bungalows with their handcrafted wood details, inside and out, are a satisfying way to experience what has been called “serious architecture.” A Craftsman house’s simple, elegant design keeps it from seeming dated, and its typically high-quality construction stands the test of time.

Craftsman’s design cues are unique: low-pitched roofs with wide eaves and triangular bracketing; a dominant chimney; and porches with thick square or round columns atop tall or wide bases. Exposed beams are common, too, outside on porches and inside in rooms, which typically also feature built-in furniture and built-in light fixtures. Craftsman’s more open floor plans were a reaction, too, to the smaller, boxier rooms of other styles.

Famous examples include the Gamble house of 1908, in Pasadena, California, by brothers Charles and Henry Greene, who also designed the Craftsman house in the 2005 movie Zathura. Craftsman homes were also featured in Must Love Dogs and Monster-in-Law.

One textbook example in Fort Worth is the Craftsman home at 3248 Rogers Avenue, within walking distance of TCU, shopping, dining and more. Updated and with period details, it offers a spacious living area, gleaming wood floors, built-in cabinetry and a large master suite with private bath. The outdoor perks include a gated drive and an al fresco back patio that is ideal for entertaining.

The home is represented by Adrianne Huff Holland and is priced $354,000.

To see all the exceptional homes, ranches and land offered by Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, in North Texas and around the world, visit briggsfreeman.com.