Charles Sumner Greene 1868-1957
Henry Mather Greene 1870-1954

The Greene brothers' turn-of-the-century bungalow houses brought the Arts & Crafts movement to the west. Their "democratic style" made quality architecture available to all, creating everything from inexpensive bungalows to vast estates for the affluent. Examples of their work can be found in Pasadena, Ojai, Long Beach and Carmel.

The Greenes drew upon the strong Oriental influence of the Pacific Rim, using cloud-lift joints, irimoya tile roofs, and jutting rafters. Their generous sleeping porches with wide, overhanging roofs opened the inside of the house to the surrounding landscaped gardens and pools. This helped to connect the man-made environment to the natural landscape beyond.

Inside the homes, in the exquisite handling of the cabinetry and furniture, the Greenes achieved the work that was to become their hallmark. In contrast to the straight lines and forthright detail characteristic of Stickley's furniture, their designs incorporated smooth rounded edges, elaborately pegged joints, intricate inlay, and a sinuous line reflective of both the Art Nouveau and Craftsman style.

The Greene's believed in creating a totally designed environment. They determined the needs of their client and then formulated a design concept that encompassed the home, site and furnishings. The structure of the house, its joints and motifs, were repeated in appropriate scale in each piece of furniture, rug, light fixture, and accessory for the house.