|
Since 1995, The Craftsman Home has provided Arts and Crafts period and
revival home furnishings: truly “honest furniture for the home and
heart.”
Owner Lee Jester got his introduction to the Arts & Crafts style
(sometimes also called “Mission” or “Craftsman”) through his
former duties as a woodworker in a boatyard, where he came to appreciate
the quality of workmanship that went into Arts & Crafts furniture.
Later, after working in antique furniture restoration, Lee saw the need
for a retail store specifically dedicated to the American Arts & Crafts
Movement, prevalent in San Francisco’s East Bay area. In 1995, he
and his wife Marcia opened The Craftsman Home at its present location,
in the heart of the East Bay bungalow neighborhoods.
Customer Testimonial
“Today a beautiful Morris chair was delivered to our home in Washington, DC. The patina of the wood (arroyo) is stunning, the leather supple and the cushion so comfortable I decided to work from home the rest of the afternoon and haven't moved for about three hours.
We hope to be able to order a dining room table from you soon!
Thank you for the beautiful chair.”
— Janet & Paul, Washington, DC
American Bungalow Magazine was kind enough to publish a profile of Lee Jester in 2008 (issue #60).
Mixing new and old
In founding The Craftsman Home, Lee’s goal has been to provide
both antique furniture and new pieces that meet contemporary needs. Antique
furniture, besides often being prohibitively expensive, couldn’t
provide for things like coffee tables or entertainment centers. By carrying
the work of modern craftspeople — and establishing a custom
furniture service — Lee fulfilled his goal of supporting living
artisans who work to make beautiful objects that will last for future
generations.
Happily, today’s contemporary Arts & Crafts furniture
holds its own against the antiques, at a fraction of the cost. The quality
of new revival furniture often exceeds that of the past, given modern
precision manufacturing techniques, adhesives, and finishes.
Information for homeowners
The Craftsman Home is not just a business but also an informational source
for the community, providing a robust starting point for homeowners wishing
to bring the beauty and function of the Arts & Crafts style into their
homes.
A visit to the store can help customers see all their options in
one place — from floor coverings to furniture to lighting and beyond.
Besides the items sold in the store, The Craftsman Home also provides
a home design service, custom
furniture design and building, and antique
restoration. The store staff can also provide referrals to suppliers,
vendors, and craftspeople, who can help customers develop their home as
fully as they wish.
Community involvement
Since its beginning, The Craftsman Home has worked closely with the
Arts & Crafts community, being involved with groups such as Berkeley
Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA), Alameda Historical Society,
Berkeley Historical Society, and Oakland Historical Association. Lee Jester
has organized and sponsored events in the store such as hosting scholarly
lectures, artisan demonstrations, artist shows, and pottery throwing.
Past speakers have included Arts & Crafts scholar and Princeton professor
emeritus Robert Judson Clark; and authors David M. Cathers and Paul Duchscherer.
Lee has also produced a play based on Elbert Hubbard’s Scrapbook,
and hosted a benefit for craftswoman Debbie Zito.
To keep up on the latest news, please see
our Newsletter page.
|
