1 . The American Craftsman style is a type of design. It was popular from 1900 to the 1930s. It changed the style of building in the United States.
The craftsman style originally began in Europe. The British Arts and Crafts style arose in the 1860s. The unique designs of this movement tried to offer dignity to the common person. Handmade items were preferred because they were thought better than items that were mass-produced. But this British style was still Victorian. It still only served the wealthiest clients.
In 1897 a group of Boston architects brought these handcrafted styles to American. They planned a show of craft objects, which turned out to be a huge success. Here they realized the potential and established the Society of Arts and Crafts on June 28, 1897. Its slogan was “to develop and encourage higher standards in the handicrafts.”
The American style began as the Victorian Era was ending. It emphasized handmade work. Originality and simplicity were highly valued. Local materials and the quality of the handicraft were very important. these traits were meant to dignify the modest homes of the middle class.
These simple designs used glass and wood that were produced locally. They were also very elegant. The metalwork was a reaction to Victorian Opulence. The increase of mass-produced housing items was rejected. The American Craftsman used clean lines. It also relied on sturdy structure. Natural materials were always used in these houses if possible.
This style introduced many changes to the average American home. New designs were made for families without servants. This was a trait of the new middle class. The kitchen went form being a hidden room to a prominent one. Another development was the breakfast nook. This new area provided the family with a place to gather at any time of day.
Also, inspirational to the Craftsman style were the Shaker and Mission designs. The American Craftsman style led to the Art Deco Movement of the 1930s.
1. According to the passage, the American Craftsman style is a type of ________.| A．Shaker and Mission design |
| B．house made for families with servants |
| C．design which was popular from 1900 to the 1930s |
| D．breakfast nook |
| A．The breakfast nook provided the family with a place to gather. |
| B．The kitchen became a more prominent room. |
| C．This style did not make any changes to the middle-class American home. |
| D．Houses were designed for a new middle class with no servants. |
| A．richness | B．greed |
| C．ugliness | D．distaste |
