By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon
Last week we began a monthlong series to help you discover the style of your home. Many homes were built true to the popular style of their day and some were built with a blend of styles or even no style. Understanding some of the popular styles of the 20th century will help you approach your remodeling project — either by helping you remain true to the style your home was designed with or by helping you decide which style to emphasize when you renovate.
The Craftsman bungalow is found in older Salt Lake neighborhoods. It has a dominating roof and is low to the ground.
The Craftsman bungalow is an easy-to-spot style in the older neighborhoods of Salt Lake City. Popular from 1905 to 1930, the appeal today is the same as it was a hundred years ago — these homes are solid, functional, and represent a sense of security.
You’ll recognize these homes by their dominating roofs and single story appearance. If there is a second story, it is subtly tucked into the roof line. The Craftsman bungalow is low to the ground and centered. They were designed with lots of windows for light and ventilation. You can’t miss the pronounced front porch, often with tapered square columns resting on massive piers. You’ll also sometimes see exposed roof rafters and open eaves. Common exterior materials include brick, stone, shingles, and stucco.
Inside the Craftsman bungalow you’ll find a family oriented living space with a craftsman’s attention to detail. Interior rooms are arranged to encourage family togetherness. The public spaces are more open to each other than in other styles, similar to the kitchen/great room style popular in modern homes. Craftsman bungalows may also include intimate built-in seating areas known as inglenooks.
When renovating, even adding a second story, stay true to the style.
You’ll see the attention to craftsmanship in crown moldings, baseboards, wainscoting, and wood floors. Typical interior features include a tiled hearth with a brick fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and beamed ceilings. Detailing is largely reserved for the entry, living room, and dining room — where guests will gather.
The Craftsman bungalow style grew out of the English Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century. The movement valued simplicity, handiwork and natural materials. It originated in Southern California, but spread to all areas of the country through pattern books and magazines. Greene and Greene, architects in Pasadena, Calif., in the early 1900s, are best known for designing exceptional examples of this style.
True Craftsman bungalows were well designed and well built and therefore tend to have faithful owners who love their beautiful, functional homes. That means they do not change hands often, so they may need updating when a new owner moves in. If you are lucky enough to have a bungalow or are looking at purchasing one, plan your renovations carefully so you maintain its innate interior functionality and preserve its exterior sense of being centered, solid, and enduring. As always, we welcome your home architect design questions at ask@renovationdesigngroup.com.