American Craftsman

The American Craftsman style, or the American Arts and Crafts movement, is a philosophy that began in the last years of the 19th century.  The principles behind American Craftsman homes are that they must be simple, elegant and with clean lines. It is thought that these types of homes were the first to provide a breakfast nook in the kitchen area in order to have a place for families to gather.  As a comprehensive design and art movement it remained popular into the 1930s.  However, in decorative arts and architectural design it has continued with numerous revivals and restoration projects through present times.

In Southern California the firm Greene and Greene are the most renowned practitioners of the original American Craftsman Style, and were based in Pasadena, California.  Their projects for Ultimate bungalows include the Gamble House and Robert R. Blacker House in Pasadena, and the Thorsen House in Berkeley—with numerous others in California.  Other examples in the Los Angeles region include the Lummis House and Journey House located in Pasadena.