Step into the world of the American Arts and Crafts movement, a transformative design philosophy that shaped furniture, architecture, pottery, metalwork, and more from 1887 to 1930. This richly illustrated booklet from the Two Red Roses Foundation offers a concise, accessible introduction to the movement’s origins, key figures, and lasting impact. More than a style, Arts and Crafts was a way of living—one that emphasized simplicity, honest craftsmanship, and the dignity of labor.
The booklet traces the movement’s English roots with William Morris and John Ruskin, then follows its adaptation in America by innovators like Gustav Stickley, Elbert Hubbard, and the Roycrofters. From handcrafted furniture to hand-thrown pottery, Arts and Crafts ideals found expression across the decorative arts, fostering both individual creativity and a strong sense of community.
Highlights include overviews of significant artists and workshops such as Newcomb Pottery, Byrdcliffe Colony, and Greene & Greene architecture. The reader is introduced to how women and immigrant artisans played essential roles in pottery and tile work, as well as how new technologies like electric lighting were harmonized with handcrafted interiors.
Whether you're a design historian, collector, or simply curious about early 20th-century American art and design, this guide serves as an inspiring primer on a movement that continues to influence aesthetics today.
