If you haven’t been to the Henry Ford Museum lately, it’s time to check it out again. Among the many interesting items on display, there are some items for the bungalow/Arts and Crafts enthusiast to see.

In the Home Arts section, there’s a bungalow kitchen exhibit. Complete with GE monitor refrigerator, Hoosier cabinet, built-in ironing board and checkerboard linoleum floor, it’s a typical kitchen from the 1920’s-1930s.

There’s also a large exhibit showcasing furniture from different eras and countries. Of particular interest to the Arts and Crafts enthusiast are the examples of Limbert furniture. Charles P. Limbert was one of the pre-eminent furniture designers of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. From 1902 until 1922, Charles Limbert manufactured “Dutch Arts and Crafts” furniture in Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan. He’s most recognized for his cutout designs and elegant subtle curves.

There are three Limbert pieces on exhibit. All are made of quarter-sawn oak.

• Bureau with mirror. Notice the clean lines of the Limbert piece next to the fussy Victorian piece just to the left in the photo. This bureau is product No. 479 1/2 in Charles P. Limbert Company Book No. 119*.
• Library table. This piece is product No. 171 in the same catalog as above.
• Nurse rocker with cane seat. I was not able to locate this rocker in any of the catalogs I have.


























Another interesting piece by a Michigan manufacturer from the same time period is the lovely wicker sofa from the Lloyd Manufacturing Company of Munising, Michigan. This company was founded around 1900 by Marshall Burns Lloyd, who was an inventor as well as salesman and manufacturer. He patented several new mechanized methods of weaving wicker, which revolutionized the wicker weaving industry. The back of this sofa is made of paper twisted around steel. The upholstery, which is perhaps original, looks very much like an Arts and Crafts design.

The Henry Ford Museum is located at 20900 Oakwood Blvd in Dearborn, Michigan. They are open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.