Gamble House: American Craftsmen Architecture at its Finest

The editorial team members at Styleture have long been fans of the American and California Craftsmen style homes. Built in the Arts & Crafts style that was prevalent in the early 20th century and beyond, craftsmen homes incorporated copious amounts of locally handcrafted wood, as well as glass and metal, to create architecture that was at once simple and elegant. The sturdy structure, clean lines and natural materials were a direct response to the overblown opulence of Victorian architecture; it was also a way to challenge mass-produced tract housing. Perhaps no other home embodies fine craftsmen principles and aesthetics than the Gamble House in Pasadena, California.

Designed by the architectural firm Greene & Greene and built in 1908 as vacation home for the famed Proctor & Gamble family, the three story Gamble House features a refined California spaciousness along with a Japanese aesthetic; the result is what many have called a “masterpiece” in American architecture. In addition to the home’s stunning main structure designed in natural redwood, its exterior features several porches for dining and entertaining, a private main terrace, patterned brick paving, large curvilinear pond and paths paved with striking stones from the Arroyo Seco wilderness southeast of Monterrey, California. Additionally, the front door and transom boast a pine motif, done in leaded art glass in the Japanese style, indicating the larger Japanese theme that delicately courses through the house. Multiple varietals of wood, including teak, maple, oak, cedar and mahogany were used to build the interiors of the house; strategically placed, the color, surface and textural contrasts of each piece of wood stands out beautifully. Design embellishments, like matching inlay in the tile mantle and interlocking joinery on the main staircase, further demonstrates the level of attention to detail. A secret wooden panel in the hallway is actually a concealed door that leads to the kitchen; an additional panel opens into a closet. Furthermore, the interior features intricately carved teak cornices, custom crafted furnishings and plush carpets. The Gamble House features an overall low and horizontal shape, with ample natural light filtering through art glass windows, perfectly balancing the mood-setting ambiance created by the dark woods.

For those interested in visiting Gamble House, admission is by 1-hour guided tour departing every 15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on tour days, Thursday through Saturday, in the Gamble House bookstore. No reservations are necessary. By the way, don’t wear high heels to the tour; they’ll make you take them off and put on house slippers before entering – and we all know how embarrassing that can be.

To see more photos reference the Gamble House site.