Style Guide for an Arts and Crafts Kitchen

The Arts and Crafts Movement is more than 100 years old, but its appeal has stood the test of time. Originally a protest of mass-produced items and stuffy, ornate Victorian design, its call to heed a simpler aesthetic and fine craftsmanship still resonates with homeowners today. Common items that reflect an Arts and Crafts heritage are handcrafted furniture, simple trims, ceramic tiles, earthenware, metalworks and stained glass.

The movement's wholesome feel is a natural fit for a kitchen that's warm, casual and refined. "Nature is the one overarching influence for this design style," says Mary Broerman, CCIDC, of MDB Design Group. "The color palette is muted, medium tones: the browns, taupes, greens, oranges, reds and blues you'd see in nature." Tiles or stained-glass panels that depict items from the outdoors such as grapevines, flowers, fruits, leaves, insects and butterflies are beautiful and keep with the fundamentals of the style.

Wood, preferably wide trim in medium to dark tones, stands out as the most basic element you can include to give your kitchen an Arts and Crafts vibe. "Oak, mahogany and teak were the most popular kinds used in the original movement," Broerman says. If your kitchen is on the small side and will be overpowered by such a bold statement, she adds, wood painted white or off-white may be a better choice.

Keep in mind that natural light remains the best way to play up the tonal mood you create with an Arts and Crafts kitchen and bring out subtle colors, patterns and textures. It also lightens the effect of broad swaths of dark wood. If your current kitchen is on the dark side, consider budgeting for a broad bank of windows over the sink or even a skylight.

Install tiles with character. Try a backsplash of subway tiles, either painted with a natural motif or plain and bordered with a series of unique accent tiles. Also look for tiles reminiscent of the prominent artisans of the period: Ernest Batchelder's earth-toned designs from the early 20th century are some of the most coveted ceramic tiles around. You can still buy originals, but reproductions are also widely available.