Design Confidently, Live Comfortably
| January/February 2005 Arts & Crafts Made Modern Two Movements Merge But the blend that makes this period kitchen work so successfully today is the stitching together of Craftsman and Prairie architectural styles. Historically, the two movements took hold at nearly the same time, with Wright’s open, light-filled horizontal forms reinforcing the honest, handcrafted approach embraced by contemporary Arts and Crafts builders. So while the cabinetry is pure Arts and Crafts, the large banks of windows, the vaulted ceiling over the dining table, and the roof overhang that shades the exterior are pure Prairie. In addition, the Prairie-style method of using higher and lower ceilings fit right in with the Friedmans’ desire to add air conditioning to the house. In typical Frank Lloyd Wright style, Morosco dropped the ceiling in the hallway, making room for air ducts that fan out to the rest of the first-floor rooms. “Frank Lloyd Wright always brought you through smaller spaces into one with a sense of elevation and openness,” Ed said. “In this case, Jerry used this architectural detail in an ingenious way to hide the air-conditioning ducts.” 
It’s using these period design techniques in the context of a modern home that really embodies the Craftsman principles Kathy and Ed sought for their kitchen and make it not a turn-of-the-century curiosity, but a comfortable, functional space for the present. “It’s not an ornate look,” Ed said of the Craftsman ideal. “It’s very straightforward, very clean. I consider it really modern.” Debra Judge Silber is an associate editor. NEXT: It all started with a $40 table |
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PHOTOS, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED: KAREN TANAKA
"BEFORE" PHOTO: COURTESY OF ED FRIEDMAN |
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