Home Fashions Inspired by the 19th Century Arts and Crafts Movement

Originating in England in the late 19th century, and later spreading to the United States with a fury, the Arts and Crafts movement is one of true artistry when artisans embarked on an effort to prevent the mass production of original works. William Morris, credited for sparking the movement in 1880, said, “Have nothing in your houses, which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Morris, believing that one’s surroundings shape the personal and collective integrity of the individual, introduced the notion that a thoughtfully arranged home filled with beautiful, artisan-crafted objects contributes to physical and spiritual health.
Today you can experience the glory of one-of-a-kind craftsmanship and naturalism as a resurgence of the Arts and Crafts movement in home fashions. “There’s a definite trend toward cleaner, less ornate lines and a more natural look. People are seeking out simple, classic pieces that are easy to live with,” says Gary Babcock, vice president of fashion and merchandising for Arhaus Furniture. The Cleveland, Ohio-based retailer of handcrafted lifestyle home furnishings is featuring earthy color palettes, natural finishes and simpler decorative elements in its fall line.

The Age of Discovery revisited

"At the turn of the century, also known as The Age of Discovery, people were traveling and becoming more sophisticated in purchasing home décor,” says Babcock. “Cabinetmakers and artisans of the Arts and Crafts era were all influenced by the diversity of motifs and unique materials used in Peru, Istanbul, Japan, and Singapore.”

Today, traces of these influences can be found in the mixing of exotic materials like bamboo and rattan in cabinets, tabletops and accessories. At Arhaus, stamped patterns in tin and copper, hand-painted Asian-inspired motifs, coconut shell inlays, polished brass details, stained glass, and William Morris-inspired mosaic tabletops in green and teal marble are prominent.

Textiles and fabrics of the movement

“The Arts and Crafts movement was a definite departure from Victorian décor where color and ornamentation were used abundantly,” says Babcock. “While furniture became more streamlined during this time, wallpaper and fabrics had an organic, nature-inspired feel with floral prints and textured vine-like patterns.” William Morris, in fact, introduced woven tapestries, ethnic textiles and wood block prints to the level of fine art, honoring the craftsmanship of each individual piece. At Arhaus, decorative pillows and throws, even lamps, follow suit in natural rough woven cotton, wool, linen and silk subtly accented with nature motifs, such as large floral and leafy prints, stones, insects and water.

According to Morris, the colors and patterns that create a peaceful mood and a quiet atmosphere are based on natural dyes like earth tones, and various shades of blue, green and orange. Babcock says this is the case this fall in upholstery, hand-painted cabinets and mosaic tabletops. “Colors revolve around orange, everything from burnt to ochre, and several shades of green and brown,” he adds, “with hints of teal and turquoise.”

A modern spin on Arts and Crafts

Handcrafted items at Arhaus noteworthy of the Arts and Crafts movement include:

* Mirrors with polished and antique brass details and a hint of embossed gold. Other embellishments include stamped brass and tin with fluid lines.

* Handcrafted details in furniture and accessories. Softened edges and traces of hand tooling provoke a sense of antiquity and craftsmanship as seen in the natural graining and depth of the solid teak Outback Wall Unit from Arhaus.

* Striking mosaic tabletops with intricate details. Babcock and his team of product developers have introduced an array of distinctly different mosaic tabletops, each with its own unique vine-like botanical theme in a spectrum of earth tone colors.

* Asian-inspired cabinets and hardware reflective of travel and discovery. Design meets function with tall, sleek Chinese Wedding Cabinets accented with antique brass pulls. These cabinets will be shown at Arhaus stores in bright colors, like teal and orange.

* Fewer trimmings like beads, feathers and fringe on decorative pillows, lighting and bedding collections. “Look for fuller lamp bases and shades, and accents like buttons adorning pillows,” says Babcock.