The craftsman style was mostly developed by the work of 2 californian architects (the Greene brothers) who practiced from 1803 to 1914. While their designs began as simple, one story "bungalows", the eventually evolved into several large and finely detailed mansions. The style was influenced by several sources, including the English Arts and Crafts movement and oriental wooden architecture. These examples had very intricate and finely crafted details throughout the interior and exterior. These houses became extensively published in numerous magazine familiarizing the rest of the nation with the style. This, along with the numerous pattern books which began circulating resulted in one story craftsman homes becoming one of the most popular of the smaller home styles across the country. The larger homes became fairly rare and located mostly in California, where they also became known as the "Western Stick Style". The majority of the smaller, one story homes produced across the country are simply commonly known as "Bungalows".
Characteristics include: A) Low pitched, gabled roofs with wide unenclosed eave overhangs B) Roof rafters usually exposed C) Full or partial width porches with roof supported by square columns D) Column bases continue to the ground level and are frequently 'battered' (the bottom being wider than the top) E) Decorative or false beams or braces under the gables
