Tag: architecture

Love Your Floor Plan AND Its Exterior

Building a new home is a big investment, and it’s understandable that you’d want it to look just as you envisioned. The opportunity to choose where it will be built, the floor plan, the exterior options, and the design finishes are all important decisions you get to make when building your dream home. And at Frank Betz Associates, we don’t take those decisions lightly.

 

We want you to love your floor plan inside just as much as you love it outside. Here we’ll take a look at an example floor plan that shows that you don’t have to sacrifice the floor plan you love for the exterior you want. With Frank Betz Associates, you can have both! 

 

Huntington Ridge House Plan

When you first choose a house plan, you’ll look at a lot of different factors. You may consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate family members and potential guests. You’ll also take a look at the overall size of the house to make sure there’s room for other things you might do day-to-day, like an early morning routine in the breakfast area.

 

Now, imagine you’ve found Huntington Ridge, the house plan that fits your lifestyle and needs perfectly. But then you realize you don’t love the way it looks on the outside. Don’t worry! You can modify the outside to fit the exterior aesthetic you are looking for. You’ll still have the same number of rooms and floor layout, but now with an outside view, that feels right for your preferred style. The Huntington Ridge house plan offers 3 different elevations, each with their own unique touches, to choose from. 

 

Elevation A

This elevation option caters to a gorgeous, classy look. Its brick construction adds a historic, timeless beauty to the exterior. Also, brick is an optimal choice for keeping the house highly soundproof and weather resistant. This is perfect for those light sleepers and late-night entertainers. 

 

The house features gabled dormers to ensure enough natural light can beam throughout the top floor rooms. This feature is also a way to preserve the roof as it allows rainfall and snow to easily drain off, keeping it from collecting and building up. The colonial-style windows also allow an abundance of natural light to flow through the first floor and add to the classic, traditional appearance.

 

Elevation B

The elevation B option of this house plan beautifully blends brick and wood wall cladding to provide an elegant, classic look. Mixing these two natural materials adds a nice balance of different textures to the home. Not only does this exterior catch the eye with a mix of materials, but the flattened eaves across the top of the dormer windows give this exterior a different character. This elevation also uses an arching detail between the columns that perfectly frames the front door and windows beside it.

 

Hosting various sizes of windows, the board and batten shutters on each side of the house add symmetry and balance to the exterior. It lends itself to a more modern house design by connecting the different materials used for the exterior. This sophisticated element looks aesthetically pleasing and adds value to the home overall.

 

Elevation C

The third elevation option, C, has a unique set of features to make it stand out from the other two. It’s a delightful country cottage equipped with a mainly wood material exterior. The front elevation of this option is a bit more simplistic with the traditional triangular gables, giving it a refreshing, welcoming look. Like the other elevations, this one includes multiple windows in various sizes to enhance the highly sought-after natural light most people want within a new home.

 

There are a couple of particularly nice additions to this elevation that make it so special. But the ones that stand out the most are the decorative window accents and the window boxes. The window designs used in this house plan elevation add an elegant touch to the overall look. It’s a small detail that makes a huge impact on the house’s exterior, making it much more visually appealing. Another special feature is the window box option. They offer another level of texture and dimension to the home, creating an exciting, eye-catching element.

 

Endless Options

When you build a new home with Frank Betz Associates, you’ll be able to mix and match an array of exterior options to create the home you’ve been dreaming of inside and out. We offer an extensive selection of house plans and house plan elevations. Whether you want a dreamy cottage or a rustic farmhouse, we’ve got the resources to make it happen. 

 

If you have additional questions about how we personalize and build our homes, don’t hesitate to connect with us online or call us at 888-717-3003. Don’t hesitate to reach 

Main Level Master House Plans

You deserve to enjoy a brand new home that’s not only designed to your standards of quality, but designed to fit your lifestyle. In one of our Main Level Master Home Plans, you’ll get to experience the many benefits of a master bedroom on the main floor!

 

What are the benefits of Main Level Master House Plans?



Happier mornings.


There’s something a little magical about waking up feeling refreshed, and enjoying a good cup of coffee before the day begins. In a home with a master suite on the main floor, you can step outside of your bedroom and walk right into the kitchen, enjoy a cup of coffee, then go right back into your bedroom to get ready for your day without having to climb up and down stairs.

 

A brighter future.


Having a master on the main floor means your home is built to age with you in place. While stairs may not be an obstacle now, it’s nice to know your home will be just right for years to come.



Guests are welcome.

 

A main level master suite could also be perfect for an aging parent, a caregiver, or even a child who has moved out and returned. It’s quite nice being able to provide guests with their own space, especially their own bathroom.


Perfect for Privacy.


Whether your main floor master will be your own bedroom, a guest/in-law suite, a home office, or something else, it’ll be sure to provide a desirable sense of privacy. Maybe you’d appreciate distance from your teenager, or need a secluded area to get some work done. The possibilities are endless!

 


Meet Our Most Popular Main Level Master Designs



Haddington (2,300 sq ft)

Open, light-filled main floor

Private owner’s suite

Welcoming front porch

Large vaulted rear porch perfect for outdoor living

 

Selwyn Park (2,906 sq ft)

1st floor guest suite

Spa-like master bath

Laundry accessible from master closet

3 car garage

 

Ruskin Place (3,839 sq ft)

Carport and detached garage

Main level guest suite

Powder room with access to the rear yard, perfect for a swimming pool

Upstairs bonus accessible by rear staircase, perfect for a home office

 


Ready to find the perfect home plan for you? Contact us today!

How to Build a House on a Tricky Lot

With the housing shortage across the country, many families have turned to building their own homes. It’s a great way to make sure your home fits your family’s needs and your personal style as well! 

 

One of the first steps to building a house is finding the lot to put it on. There isn’t unlimited space and sometimes you have to settle for an unusually shaped lot or one with additional obstacles. 

 

Some homeowners with tricky lots worry that their new house won’t work in that space. But it doesn’t have to be a problem! We’ve put together this guide to help you build a great new home on the trickiest lot. 

 

Gather All the Information

 

The most important preparation step for a home building project is gathering all the information about the lot for the house. This includes the size, shape, trees, slopes, and any other pertinent details. 

 

Once you have a good picture of what the lot entails, you can get to work coming up with solutions for any issues. 

 

We recommend getting a thorough, professional survey so you don’t run into surprises that will set your build back significantly. It’s important to know what pitfalls are ahead so you can prepare to save the end result. 

 

Choose the Optimal Floor Plan

 

Once you know what obstacles you’re up against, it’s important to cater your floor plan choice to work around them. 

 

This might mean choosing a plan that is long and narrow instead of wide. Or it could mean making the garage detached and in the back of the lot instead of the traditional space. Or adding the driveway along the side. There are a lot of ways to be creative and customize the floor plan to fit your exact space. 

 

Prepare for Compromise

 

While there are creative solutions to be found when designing a house with a tricky lot, it’s important to be realistic as well. There is no house building project completed without some compromise, which is especially true with an unconventional lot. 

 

Just remember it’s okay to stray a little from the typical steps to choosing a floor plan to make things work for your situation. When you have realistic expectations, it’s easier to handle the twists and turns that will surely come! 

 

How to Build a House on a Tricky Lot

 

It might take a little bit more creativity to build a house on a tricky lot but the results can be just as satisfying. You’ll be able to enjoy a brand new space that is full of your design choices and fits your family’s needs.

 

These kinds of situations are why it’s so important to work with professional home builders who can walk you through the entire process. They can give you advice and creative solutions based on their knowledge, expertise, and experience with these types of situations. That help is invaluable when working on a construction project! 

 

If you’re interested in seeing more of what we can do for you and your tricky lot, contact us today!

Three Cost Efficient Floor Plans That Are Perfect for Your Next Home

Designing the perfect home can be an extremely costly experience. To get the home of your dreams while staying within your budget, read on to find out how to find a cost-efficient floor plan that meets your every need.

 

What Makes a Cost-Efficient Floor Plan?

 

There are several characteristics of a cost-efficient floor plan. Find one that includes the features listed below, and you’ll be sure to stick to your budget.

 

Simple, Straight Lines

Simple, straight lines are not only pleasing to look at, but they are also incredibly cost-effective. Keep roof lines simple and side and rear walls straight for an elegantly modern exterior with great curb appeal.

A Modest Footprint

Opting for a cozy floor plan with a modern footprint is a great way to keep your home cost-efficient. Homes with modest footprints require less energy to construct, so you’ll save in plenty of areas, such as the foundation and even building materials.

 

No Offsets in the Foundation

One simple way to cut the cost of your floor plan is to eliminate offsets in the foundation. Though they are common, each foundation offset increases your bill once again. Removing offsets altogether is an easy way to ensure they don’t interfere with your budget.

 

The Beauty of Value Engineering

Frank Betz Associates’ unique concept of “Value Engineering” gives you yet another way to cut costs. Value Engineering lowers the cost to build your home by eliminating waste with regard to materials. Efficient use of materials means the necessary quantities are lower, and so is your bill.

 

Three Cost-Efficient Floor Plans from Frank Betz Associates

 

Frank Betz Associates has the experience and knowledge to help you design a home that is both gorgeous and budget-friendly. Below are three cost-efficient floor plans that are perfect for your next home.

Azalea Park

Azalea Park is a wonderfully cozy cottage that you’ll have no trouble settling into. With a functional design and three bedrooms, your family will be right at home in this modest two-story design. Relax on the screened-in porch and enjoy the natural light that floods the house throughout the day.

 

Haddington House

Create a place of belonging with a Haddington House floor plan. This modern farmhouse is the epitome of warmth and charm; welcome your guests home from an expansive front porch and entertain for hours in the connected kitchen, dining, and living spaces.

Waterbury Cottage

Sleek and modern, the Waterbury Cottage floor plan is packed with an open floor plan and wide windows to let the sunlight in. Though it features modest square footage, Waterbury Cottage is spacious due to its open spaces and strategic compartmentalization.

 

Contact Frank Betz Associates today to find the cost-efficient floor plan that’s right for you.

family friendly house plans for sale

Our Top Family-Friendly House Plans

When your family is growing or the kids are getting older, there comes a point when you just know you need more space — and sooner rather than later. Whether it’s too many hands going in and out of the fridge in a small kitchen, the need for more separation (i.e. peace and quiet) between the primary suite and the other bedrooms, or not enough outdoor space to relax and let the kids run free at the same time, there’s bound to be at least one nagging sticking point about your current home as your family expands. 

 

We get it. That’s why we design house plans that are wide open, spacious on the inside and out, and can comfortably accommodate all your family members now and into the future. 

 

If you’re looking for a new home to that will grow with your family, there are a couple of features you should always look for.

 

Top Features for Family-Friendly House Plans

 

Flex Space: Whether you need a dedicated space for homework, a game room for teens, or a serene yoga room for yourself, it’s critical to have a bit (or a lot) of extra space that can be configured in any way you need, and can change in the future. 

 

Open Living Area: One way to make sure growing families spend time together is to have enough space to accommodate everyone in one area. Whether it’s for a sit-down family dinner or a low-key movie night, memories are made when you’re together. 

 

Spacious Primary Suite: Between work and family, you’ve got a lot going on. Hang on to your sanity with a private, spa-like retreat. Whether you prefer your primary bedroom suite to be upstairs or down, it should be large and luxurious so that you get the peace of mind and rest you deserve.

 

Lots of Storage: With people (especially kids!) come things. Our house plans feature large closets in bedrooms and hallways, spacious and functional laundry rooms, garages with extra space, and second-floor bonus rooms that are perfect as simple storage. Whatever it is that you have, our plans have a place for it.

 

Here are our top three family-friendly house plans:

 

Selwyn Park – Designed for Active Families

 

4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 3-Car Garage | 2,906 Sq. Ft.

 

This beautiful home has all the bases covered for an active family of any size. The kitchen and living room are open concept, and flow right into a dedicated dining space that’s flooded with natural light. Whether it’s weekday breakfast or a holiday dinner, meals will always feel special here. The covered back porch extends almost the entire width of the home, providing ample space for outdoor living and play. For holidays and family celebrations, the spacious and completely private guest suite has an attached bath. Upstairs, two additional bedrooms are separated by a central bathroom with dual vanities. The optional bonus room is perfect for playtime, gaming, or kids’ movie nights. 

 

Wood Hollow – Warm and Welcoming

 

4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2,436 Sq. Ft.

 

This refined farmhouse cottage is reminiscent of a bygone era, but updated with a modern layout and beautiful details that make this floor plan a favorite for today’s families. With its high-pitched roof, board and batten siding, and welcoming front porch, it’s easy to feel like you belong here. The open design is perfect for both busy mornings and relaxing evenings. The first-floor primary suite offers convenience and luxury, while the upstairs bedrooms inspire peace and quiet. A large, optional bonus room can be a recreation area, home gym, or an extra storage space.

 

Haddington – Classic Style That Delivers

 

4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2,300 Sq. Ft.

 

A modern farmhouse design that’s a family favorite, the Haddington has everything you’re looking for in a new home. Whether you’re hosting just your immediate family, or guests and relatives for holidays and celebrations, this home is built for any occasion. The elegant foyer opens up into a soaring living room with beamed ceilings, which flows right into the dining area and kitchen, complete with oversized island. Continue with the flow of the home and you’ll find yourself relaxing on a covered back porch with a beautiful vaulted ceiling. Back inside, the first-floor primary suite offers a serene escape, while children and guests occupy themselves upstairs. 

 

If you’re ready to make the leap from a house that just feels “OK” to an extraordinary home that will grow with you for years, explore these three house plans and the many more that Frank Betz Associates offers. This might just be the best move you’ve ever made. 

most popular floor plans of 2021

Best-Selling Home Plans of 2021

As 2021 winds down, we are looking back at a few of our most popular home plans of the year. There was definitely a preference for large-scale, open-concept living and plans that included a dedicated space for everyone in the family, and every activity. Bonus rooms, flex space, full guest suites, and expansive outdoor living spaces topped the list for many of our customers. Aesthetically, the Modern Farmhouse was the big winner, along with exteriors loaded with nuance and visual interest.

 

Best-Selling House Plans of 2021

 

Chestnut Pointe

  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Baths
  • 2 Stories
  • 3-Car Garage
  • 2,823 Square Feet

With Modern Farmhouse-style still commanding the attention of designers and home buyers alike, Chestnut Pointe was one of our best-selling house plans of 2021, and demand for it continues into next year. With open, light-filled interior spaces, a wide front porch, and expansive dormers, this house feels like home from the moment you step in. Delightful design touches like beamed ceilings in the great room and boxed bay windows in the owner’s suite make living here feel like an act of indulgence.

 

Shaker Heights

  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Baths
  • 2 Stories
  • 2-Car Garage
  • 3,009 Square Feet

This classic farmhouse-style home has everything the modern family needs to live, entertain, work, and thrive. With smart, flexible rooms throughout, open spaces that invite gathering, a deluxe owner’s suite, and outdoor living that rivals the indoors, this beautiful home has style that will last a lifetime.

 

Haddington

  • 4 bedrooms
  • 2.5 Baths
  • 2 Stories
  • 2-Car Garage
  • 2,300 Square Feet

Bright, airy, and open, the Haddington has a classic, open-concept layout that encourages gathering in multiple places — be it the welcoming front porch, the large living/dining room combination, or around the kitchen island. The first-floor owner’s suite is tucked away and easy to navigate, while each of the upstairs bedrooms offers quiet and privacy. This home design features an optional upstairs bonus room — perfect for multi-functional use.

 

Bristol Walk

  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4.5 Baths
  • 2 Stories
  • 3-Car Garage
  • 3,045 Square Feet

Visually stunning both inside and out, Bristol Walk is a show-stopper. With complex roof lines and a mix of exterior materials including painted brick, fieldstone, and vertical siding, you will love pulling up to your home every day. Inside, a wall of sliding glass doors across the grand room and dining room give access to a vaulted covered porch and a covered outdoor dining room, with space for a grill. The master suite occupies a private wing of the first floor, with a guest suite occupying the other. Upstairs, along with the secondary bedrooms, there’s an open loft area as well as an optional bonus room above the garage. With this house plan, there’s room for everything — and everyone — special in your life.

 

These home plans were some of our best sellers of 2021, and we fully expect their classic styling to buoy their popularity into the new year and beyond. Please contact us to learn more about any of these beautiful home plans.

 

Small House Plans that Pack a Punch

For many of us, our dream home is a grand house with more than enough space for everyone in our lives to spread out. There are rooms to accommodate every person, guest, hobby, and pet, and a large outdoor space where our kids can run free. It’s a beautiful dream that can easily become a reality with the right house plan.

And then, there are those of us who relish in the small and cozy, in spaces that bring family members together, and places we can clean in under an hour on a Saturday morning. That’s the beauty of living small.

In this article, we’ll share some of the top reasons people choose to build small (under 2,000 square feet), and a few of our coziest house plans from our extensive design collection.

 

1) More Affordable

Not only are smaller homes more affordable to build, they are much more economical in terms of energy usage. The smaller footprint combined with modern, energy-saving systems and appliances can lower your utility bills significantly. That means more money in your pocket to save, travel, or upgrade your home (more on that in a moment).

A smaller home is also less expensive to maintain. There is less square footage inside, and not as much surface space (like roof and siding) outside, so when it comes to repairing or replacing worn out materials, it will cost much less.

2) Faster Build Time

The smaller the home, the faster the build. The build time for an average-sized new home (about 2,657 square feet, according to U.S. Census Bureau data), is about one year. In that case, homes under 2,000 square feet could take as little as 6-9 months to build, all depending on your builder partner. No matter the exact number of days, the smaller, the faster, which is perfect if you have time constraints that cannot be changed.

3) Build in More Places

When you’re small, you can be nimble. The same is true for homes. When you build small, your home can fit in more places, including the most desirable neighborhoods with the most amenities. If there’s an area that you’ve fallen in love with, but it’s densely populated and existing homes or even condos are priced too high, consider grabbing a small plot of land and building new.

4) More Money for Upgrades

When you have a smaller space, you can deck it out with top-of-the-line finishes and materials. Tap into the money you saved building a smaller home and use it for upgrades such as marble countertops, solid hardwood floors, trendy wallpaper for accent walls, and anything else you wish.

5) Bring Family Together

In a cozier home, you can feel more connected to those you live with. See and hear your kids playing in the great room while you make dinner, gather round the fireplace for game nights or cups of cocoa, and never be too far that you can’t hear a baby crying. Keep in mind though, that in a home under 2,000 square feet, you don’t have to sacrifice space or style. The plan just has to be well-designed enough to make great use of every square foot.

Here are a few of our smaller house plans that hit the mark:

Around 2,000 Square Feet

Huntington Ridge (b)

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 1,982 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Front Porch
  • Formal Dining Room
  • Large Fireplace
  • Bonus Room
  • Mud Room

 

Blantons Trace

4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 2,073 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Front Porch
  • Rear Porch
  • Split Bedrooms
  • Bonus Room
  • Mud Room

 

Around 1,500 Square Feet

Abbotts Pond

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,406 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Front Porch
  • Rear Porch
  • Vaulted Ceilings
  • Breakfast Area

 

Quebec

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,342 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

  • Bonus Room
  • 14′ Ceiling in Great Room
  • Tray Ceiling in Owner’s Suite
  • Additional Space Available to Build 4th Bedroom

 

If you’re interested in building a smaller home for any of the reasons mentioned above, we’d be happy to help you find the perfect plan. Contact us to get started.

14-Hazelwood Square

The Beauty of Outdoor Living in the Fall

At Frank Betz Associates, we believe that paradise is a cozy chair, a warm drink, and your feet up on a crisp fall day. Who says you can’t experience this bliss on a daily basis? With a gorgeous outdoor living area attached to your home, you can finally enjoy the beauty of fall in true style — day or night.

 

From impromptu get-togethers with friends to mornings with a cup of coffee and a good book, an expertly designed exterior completely changes the way you live your life. Especially in the fall, when the weather cools and the scenery comes alive, you don’t want to miss a single moment of what’s right in front of you…

 

Covered Porches

 

Just as functional as they are stylish, our covered porches allow you to experience the outdoors in complete comfort. Perfect for all times of day, you’re free to do whatever you wish — whether that be host your family and friends for a fun fall meal or take advantage of your quiet time and relax.

 

Best of all, our aesthetically pleasing porches add to the beauty of your home, which makes them the ideal asset. The goal of these features is to extend your indoor life to the outdoors, so that you can truly feel like your best (and most free) self whenever you’re in your home. 

 

Fire Pits

 

Who says cold weather has to stop you from enjoying the peace and privacy of your backyard? With a modern, compact fire pit, you have every opportunity to sit outside and do exactly what you normally would in the warmer months of the year. It may not still be summertime, but it’s always prime time for relaxing.

 

Style your furniture around your fire pit however you wish and watch your space ignite with life — there’s nothing more charming than a cozy fire. Do you have fond memories of camp as a child? Gather with your kids for homemade s’mores under the stars. From happy hours to celebrations, a fire pit brings a spark to your space that you can’t help but fall in love with each time. 

 

With 100 years of combined experience and unmatched skill in all areas of home design, you can be sure that we have a plan that fits your preferences perfectly. Are you ready to live in a home that loves you back? We can’t wait to meet you and get started! For more information about our house plans, please call 888-717-3003.

Tuxedo Park

Featured House Plan: Meet Tuxedo Park

That excitement when you see your new home for the very first time? We believe you should feel this every time you return home, whether from a getaway vacation or a work day. A house may be purchased, but home is priceless — so you deserve a modern plan that lives just the way that you do. 

 

Meet Tuxedo Park, an innovative plan that combines contemporary features with timeless charm to create a home you can’t help but fall in love with. With 3,306 total square feet, you’ll have all the room you need to enjoy life’s little moments — from your charming porch to your gorgeous master suite and everything in between. 

 

This one-of-a-kind house plan also comes complete with a flex room, a vaulted porch, and an optional bonus room on the second floor, which can be turned into another bedroom for family or guests, or a specialized space for whatever you wish, whether a movie room, a home office, or your own personal art studio. 

 

Built with a mix of classic and modern charm, Tuxedo Park first catches your eye with an old-world English elevation with Cotswold elements. Past a beautiful front porch with classic dormers that break the cornice line, you’ll walk inside and feel the warmth of a wide open interior — and immediately know you’re home.

 

The first floor provides an abundant, open-concept living area with a kitchen, dining, and living room. The family room is expertly designed with a beamed ceiling and beautiful fireplace, perfect for get-togethers, celebrations, and weeknight dinners. You’ll also find a spectacular master suite with a spa-like bathroom that’s specifically created to make you feel your best, day or night. 

 

On the second floor, there are three spacious bedrooms, each with walk-in closets and access to a bathroom. There’s also a large loft space that can become anything you want, from an entertainment area to a quiet place to read, relax, and recharge. Up here, you and your family will always embrace your most comfortable state.

 

When you come back to a home that fits you perfectly, every day suddenly feels wide open. You won’t believe all of the experiences and opportunities that are waiting for you in a home like this… For more information about Tuxedo Park, please call 888-717-3003. All of us at Frank Betz Associates can’t wait to meet you!

DESIGNING A CRAFTSMAN STYLE HOME – IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

 

Gaining popularity in the early twentieth century, the Craftsman style house is easy to identify. Its distinct design characteristics set it apart from most other home styles. From its iconic front porch, exposed beams and grand fireplace, the Craftsman home has a character all its own. If you’re planning to build a new Craftsman home, this article will highlight a number of its classic design features.

A welcome like no other

Of all the defining features of a Craftsman home, the covered front porch is one of the most recognizable.

Anchored with brick or stone footers, Craftsman porch columns start wide at the bottom and taper toward the top. The front porch has deep overhanging eaves, visible knee braces and exposed rafter tails that extend beyond the roof line. Shingled eaves and handcrafted trim are also a notable detail found on examples of the style.

Definitive scale

Balanced proportion and scale are very important qualities of a Craftsman home. Standing vertical but solid, most Craftsman’s are only one or two stories. Their low-pitched roofs provide a squat facade which works proportionately with their wide floorplans. Intersecting roof lines also help to convey a textured dimension to the home when viewed from every angle.

 

Creature Comforts

Another hallmark of the Craftsman style is a large fireplace usually located in the living room. Working as the home’s centerpiece, it often uses the same stone and wood detailing found throughout the home.
As with other elements pulled from the Arts and Crafts movement, built-in cabinetry and shelving can a be found in the living spaces beyond the kitchen. More tell-tale interior details include multi-pane windows with wide trim wainscoting or chair rails, period light fixtures and paned doors. Intricate metal hardware on doors and windows add to the Craftsman charm.

Show the bones

Craftsman homes are known for shamelessly showing off their structural components. Exposed beams on the interior and exterior of the home act as signature architectural details. As mentioned above, the ends of the beams, called rafter tails notably extend outside of the roof line. Inside, natural wood rafters accent the ceilings in most every room. This treatment brings an element interest to an otherwise overlooked aspect of the home.

 

Naturally designed

With locally sourced wood and stone as the go-to materials, the Craftsman home exudes an earthy ambiance. The color palette of this style reflects the natural world, as well. Earth tones like browns and greens are most often used. While handcrafted dark wood detailing and accents add to rustic influence.

There are many reasons the Craftsman style home is one of the most popular across the country. It’s iconic style fits in nicely from coastal to mountainous regions. And in addition to its historic architectural beauty, the style is still quite functional in our modern world. Featuring a deep-rooted essence of comfort and hand-crafted elegance, the Craftsman home has earned its illustrative name while standing the test of time for more than a century.