(ARA) - 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 d?cor,"
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
d?cor 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.
For more information about Arhaus' fall and winter collections, visit the
company's Web site at www.arhaus.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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