Steve Brown has a nice article on the resurgence in popularity (as evidenced by house prices) of the classic Craftsman Bungalow in Chico CA, in their daily paper, the Chico Enterprise-Record.
The bungalow is back. Homes built in this style in
California in the 1910s and 1920s are becoming as desirable to early
21st century homeowners as Victorian styles were to homeowners a
generation ago.The avenues neighborhood — and most of early 20th century Chico —
is full of examples of craftsman bungalows. Kasey Merrill, president of
the Chico Avenues Neighborhood Association, said they are "the essence
of what gives Chico its character."Three architecture aficionados talked about the value of
bungalows and other older buildings Wednesday at a presentation
sponsored by the association. Merrill said one of the goals of the
association is to educate the public about subjects that relate to the
quality of life in the neighborhood.Lee Laney, who has had longtime interest in the arts and crafts
movement that inspired the building of craftsman bungalows, general
contractor Craig Almaguer and architect Paul Lieberum were the
speakers.Laney said craftsman bungalows are part of a movement with
"strong philosophical and perhaps spiritual roots." The movement
affected furniture, pottery, metal work and textiles as well as housing
design. It stressed simplicity, harmony with nature and a hand-crafted
look.