Arts and Crafts Style and Spirit

Book excerpt: EQUALLY AT HOME IN A CLASSIC BUNGALOW SURROUNDED BY ANTIQUES OR A LOFT APARTMENT DECORATED WITH MODERN ART, THE CREATIONS OF A DEDICATED CONTINGENT OF FURNITURE MAKERS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN TODAY'S ARTS & CRAFTS DECOR. One-of-a-kind pieces in wood, metal, pottery, tile, glass, and textiles are testaments to the enduring influence of visionary designers such as Gustav Stickley, Greene & Greene, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Building on the grand simplicity and exceptional quality that were hallmarks of the original Arts & Crafts movement, talented furniture makers fuel the Arts & Crafts Revival, still gaining momentum after two decades of growth. Twenty contemporary artisans are profiled in Arts & Crafts Style and Spirit, and the works of many more are shown. Their meticulous craftsmanship is seen in wooden furniture; lamps and lighting fixtures of metal, mica, and art glass; handmade vases and one-of-a-kind tiles; linen table runners and pillows. The Arts & Crafts tradition is not only upheld by contemporary designer-craftspeople but expanded and refined for a new generation of collectors and aficionados. The result is a simple, elegant approach to living that makes any home a refuge.