Craftsman Charm For Traditional Homes

The Craftsman style is a distinctive look in architectural and interior design, with a focus on natural materials, handcrafted details, and a relaxed, functional aesthetic. Craftsman homes are typically characterised by their woodwork, including chunky window and door trim, wainscoting, built-in shelving, and exposed ceiling beams.

To make a traditional house look more Craftsman, you can add these wooden details, as well as built-in units and bookcases, and a fireplace with a heavy mantel. Craftsman homes also tend to feature earthy or neutral colour palettes, with shades of brown, green, grey, and beige.

Add chunky wood trim around windows and doors

Adding chunky wood trim around windows and doors is a distinctive feature of the Craftsman style. This style of trim is simple, with square edges and no fancy shapes or mouldings. It is easy to cut and assemble, even for those with limited carpentry experience.

Craftsman-style homes are inspired by handcrafted features, so the trim should reflect this. The trim should be thick and chunky, and made from wood. You can use almost any kind of wood board from your local hardware store, but for staining, you will need to use wood rather than MDF. Oak is a popular choice, but other options include cherry or walnut.

When installing the trim, you will need basic hand tools, as well as a table saw and a miter saw. You will also need an air-powered finish nailer, clamps, a drill, and construction adhesive.

Before you start, measure the doors and windows to calculate the quantities of each piece of trim you will need. Then, cut the trim to the right width using a table saw. You will also need to sand the trim pieces with 120-grit sandpaper, followed by 180-grit, and then stain them before installation.

When it comes to the colour of your trim, you can opt for a bright colour, a thick cream trim, or even a bold black trim. You could also try a light wood grain trim, or match the trim to a coffered ceiling. If you are painting the trim, you will need to prime it first.

Install wainscoting

Installing wainscoting is a great way to add character to a traditional home. Wainscoting is a type of wood paneling that covers the lower portion of walls, adding visual interest to a room. Beadboard, the most common type of wainscoting, is made up of tongue-and-groove panels installed vertically and gives a room a traditional, intimate feel.

Planning and Preparation:

Before starting the installation, it is important to make a plan and purchase the necessary materials. Measure the walls to determine the number of panels required and plan the placement of the seams or joints between the panels. It is recommended to use graph paper to draw out the walls to scale.

Acclimating the Panels:

Wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature, so it is crucial to let the wainscoting panels acclimate in the room for at least 48 to 72 hours before installation. The ideal humidity level is between 30% and 50%, and panels should be leaned separately against walls to allow for airflow.

Cutting the Panels to Size:

Using a table saw or a circular saw, cut the wainscoting panels according to your measurements. If necessary, cut holes for outlets or light switches using a hole saw or a multi-tool.

Attaching the Panels to the Wall:

Apply construction adhesive liberally to the back of each panel, spreading it out in an S or V pattern. Firmly press the panel onto the drywall, ensuring it is properly aligned and secured. Use a brad nailer to add 1 1/4" brad nails, preferably at the locations of studs in the wall.

Attaching the Trim Piece:

Choose a decorative trim piece to add along the top of the wainscoting panels. Attach the trim piece using the brad nailer, nailing it in the same manner as the panels.

Filling Nail Holes and Caulking:

Use a putty knife to gently scrape wood filler over the nail holes on the panels and trim, scraping off any excess. Let the filler dry, and then sand it smooth with a sanding block. Caulk the gaps between the panel and the baseboards, door trim, and other necessary areas.

Priming and Painting:

Apply a coat of moisture and mildew-resistant primer to the panels, letting it dry for at least an hour. Finally, paint the wainscoting with a high-quality paint.

Additional Tips:

• If installing wainscoting in a bathroom, use a kitchen and bath caulking on the edges that touch the shower tile or other wet areas.
• For a traditional look, wainscoting is usually placed on the lower third of walls.
• White wainscoting with a darker color on the walls is a classic combination, but you can also experiment with darker wainscoting and lighter walls.

By following these steps, you can easily install wainscoting to enhance the craftsman character of your traditional home.

Include a fireplace with a heavy, wood-detailed mantel

Fireplaces are a common feature of Craftsman-style homes. To make your traditional house look more Craftsman, you can include a fireplace with a heavy, wood-detailed mantel.

Craftsman fireplaces are known for their sturdy structure, simplicity of form, and natural materials. The mantel—a defining feature of the Craftsman fireplace—is often made of beautifully grained wood, such as oak, with handcrafted details like wooden pegs. The mantel may also feature splayed legs, corbels (brackets), and other intricate woodwork.

When designing a Craftsman fireplace, you can opt for a simple and understated look or a more elaborate design with an overmantel. For a true Craftsman feel, the fireplace should have a heavy, solid presence, with strong wood detailing.

If you're working with an existing fireplace, you can build a Craftsman-style mantel using wood such as poplar or plywood. This involves creating a layered structure with tapered columns and straight lines, accentuated by stain to highlight the natural materials.

For a cohesive Craftsman look throughout your home, consider adding other elements such as wood trim around windows and doors, built-in shelves or cabinets, and dark or light paint colours to complement the wood features.

Opt for built-in shelves or cabinets

Built-in shelves or cabinets are a great way to add a craftsman feel to your home. Craftsman-style built-ins were common in older homes, especially in dining rooms and living rooms, and they served multiple purposes, including storage, seating, and work areas.

When adding built-in shelves or cabinets to your home, consider the following:

Location

Built-ins can be added almost anywhere in your home. You can add them under a window, around a door, along a blank wall, or by transforming a closet. For example, you can create a built-in dining room china cabinet or a living room fireplace with shelves or cabinets on either side. Built-ins can also be functional, such as a bench with storage underneath a hinged seat or a telephone niche in the hallway.

Design

When designing your built-ins, consider the overall style and functionality you want to achieve. Craftsman-style built-ins often feature wood detailing and can include features such as drawers, niches, or a combination of open and closed storage. You can also add unique touches, such as leaded glass doors or decorative wood accents.

Materials

When creating built-in shelves or cabinets, consider using solid wood or manufactured wood for the shelves and cabinets themselves. For the brackets and other hardware, metal or wrought iron can add a rustic or industrial touch.

Finishing Touches

To enhance the craftsman feel of your built-ins, consider adding decorative top, base, and side rail detailing. You can also include features such as crown moulding or wood panelling to complement the overall design. Don't forget to anchor your built-ins to the wall for safety and stability.

Choose a light or dark paint colour for the walls

Craftsman-style homes are known for their distinctive, homely, and comfortable designs. The style is characterised by a strong presence of moulded wood, fireplaces with heavy mantels, built-in shelves or cabinets, and dark-stained wood beams.

When it comes to choosing a paint colour for the walls of a craftsman-style home, you can go for light or dark shades. A light colour such as white or light grey—ideally a cool-toned shade—can be a good choice, especially when paired with natural wood features. However, it's important to stay away from beige or warm reddish colours, as they can be too similar to the medium wood tone.

On the other hand, a dark colour like a rich, elegant black can also work well. Dark colours can make the wood accents pop and create a striking contrast. A dark shade of green or blue can also complement the natural environment of a craftsman home.

When selecting a paint colour, it's essential to consider the orientation of the room and the light it receives. For rooms that receive a lot of sunlight or have cooler north-facing light, lighter colours are often preferred. Conversely, for rooms mainly used at night, such as bedrooms and dining rooms, colours that work well with artificial lighting are more suitable.

Additionally, the psychology of colour can play a role in your decision. For example, shades of blue create a restful atmosphere, making them ideal for bedrooms, while greens promote a sense of calm and are perfect for inviting spaces. On the other hand, hot colours like golden yellow can stimulate the appetite, making them a great choice for dining rooms.

Remember, when choosing a paint colour for a craftsman-style home, it's essential to complement the natural wood features and create a harmonious overall design.

Frequently asked questions