Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.

The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.

American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.

Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.

Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right fireplace-tools-chimney-pots for You

If your chilly winter nights are largely spent warming up by the fireplace, you’re going to need a set of antique or vintage fireplace tools and chimney pots to keep things tidy.

There’s something intrinsically primal yet comforting about having a fire in one’s home. A fire in a fabulous antique fireplace brings warmth, both literal and intangible, to a living room, den or bedroom. On a cold, snowy night, there is nothing quite so satisfying as having a warm cup of mulled wine and watching the flames dance in golden splendor.

Of course, one needs the accompanying accoutrements to keep a fireplace orderly. However, newly minted tools may not match the carefully considered decor and specific furniture style that you had in mind for your space. Fortunately, antique and vintage fireplace tools were so well made that they still work decades later. These pieces also have the added benefit of being quite stylish and elegant in their design so they won’t stand out in a minimalist space.

Andirons keep the logs off the floor of the fireplace so air can better circulate and keep the fire bright. An andiron, importantly, will prevent a burning log from rolling out of a fireplace and keep a fire burning evenly as well as prevent any mess from accumulating. Some andirons are simple iron brackets to elevate the wood, but others are more ornate baskets that introduce a touch of luxury to the fireplace.

Chimney pots are extensions added to the top of a smokestack. They’re completely visible from your home’s exterior, so choose one that you love. We like a tapered terracotta version. A chimney pot will elongate the chimney as well as help draft air to keep a fire alight. It may also prevent smoke from billowing around the room, which is, of course, extremely hazardous to your health. A fire’s smoke will also damage your furniture as well as any adjacent art. Smoke and soot can stain, leaving things to look dreary and dark. Chimney pots were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Victorian-era chimney pots still make for an attractive addition to contemporary homes.

We can all agree that a fireplace is going to elevate your space. To complete the look, find a collection of antique and vintage fireplace tools and chimney pots today on 1stDibs.