The Craftsman Kitchen: Characteristic Elements and Rehabilitation Guidelines

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

1994-06

Authors

Carter, Elizabeth Jean

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

The kitchen in any historic home is often one of the first rooms to be altered, often to a drastic extent to accommodate modern appliances, finishes and plumbing. Because it has played such a meaningful role in society and family life historically, it is important to consider the kitchen an integral and significant part of the home. The Craftsman style gives more attention to the planning, design and details of the kitchen than any styles before it. The promotion of a workspace that was comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, as well as functional made the Craftsman kitchen unique and in many ways ahead of its time. This study focuses on the character defining features of the Craftsman kitchen, and ways in which to preserve them while allowing for modern use. Archival research as well as numerous site visits to Craftsman homes helped to clarify and define which features were distinctly Craftsman, and to understand which of these features is most often altered. Using these findings, avenues for retaining these features were explored through the use of two case studies, the Soults-Westfall Duplex and the Zimmerman House, both in Eugene, Oregon. As a result of these findings, guidelines for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Craftsman kitchen were developed. Ultimately it is hoped that this study will encourage the preservation of the Craftsman kitchen through sensitive rehabilitation while allowing for the integration of modem appliances and modem use.

Description

214 pages

Keywords

historic preservation, american kitchen, Craftsman kitchen, Craftsman home, Soults-Westfall Duplex, Zimmerman House

Citation