Mission-style furniture has stood the test of time by effortlessly blending simple yet elegant aesthetics with sturdy construction. Rooted in historical influences, this furniture style is a beloved choice for creating functional and welcoming living spaces. Harnessing the power of traditional craftsmanship, mission-style furniture incorporates durability, versatility, and an eco-friendly touch into interiors.
Its clean-lined, unadorned appearance perfectly complements a variety of preferred interior styles like traditional, rustic, and modern. For example, a mission-style coffee table can easily match existing home décor and elevate the functionality of available space.
Read this blog to find out all about the history, features, designs, materials, customization, and practical integration of mission-style furniture.
Let’s Begin at the Beginning!
The art and crafts movement started in Britain during the late 19th century. It had started as a protest against run-of-the-mill factory-made products, such as furniture that lacked the polish of creativity. Mission furniture evolved into being during the arts and crafts movement. This style took inspiration from the clean and simple décor aesthetic observed in missions.
The first-ever mission-style furniture was a chair designed in 1894 by A.J. Forbes. It was made for the Swedenborgian Church, following the design of wooden furniture used in Spanish missions dotted across California.
Key Characteristics of Mission Style Furniture:
- Simple and Functional Design
- Straight Lines and Right Angles
- Solid Construction
- Exposed Joinery
- Natural Materials (Solid Wood)
- Handcrafted Details
- Subdued Color Palette (Earth tones)
- Leather Accents (common in upholstery)
- Functional Hardware
- Inspired by Nature (floral or geometric patterns)
- Built-In Furniture Elements
- Lack of Ornamentation
What Makes This Style Stand Out!
Mission-style furniture possesses some remarkable features that distinguish it from the rest. Let us check what is special about this furniture style:
1. They are made using only high-quality materials, like solid wood that easily withstands everyday wear and tear for ages.
2. The techniques used for making these furniture pieces also make them durable and sturdier. From dovetail joints to mortise and tenon joinery, these techniques enhance the strength and stability of the furniture.
3. Clean horizontal and vertical lines of these furniture pieces bring out the natural beauty of wood grains.
4. Rectilinear designs and exposed joints are features that will help you recognize a mission-style piece like a clean-lined, space-saving TV unit, etc.
5. Parallel slates or stiles were used to create the illusion of lightness and balanced outline.
6. Usually this type of furniture has little ornamentation.
The Material Matters!
When it comes to choosing furniture in mission style, the choice of material is paramount. Here are the materials that bring out the best this style has to offer:
1. Solid Wood: Solid wood varieties like white oak, walnut, rosewood, teak wood, and mango wood will work supremely well with a mission-style aesthetic. Being extremely durable mission-style pieces made using solid wood offer heirloom quality.
2. Wrought Iron: This metal evokes the simple yet functional charm of mission-style pieces. You can opt for furniture in this style that combines solid wood and wrought iron for that one-of-a-kind vibe.
3. Leather: Mission-style pieces can easily pair wood or metal with leather upholstery and accents to create that rugged yet refined charm.
Tip: Teak wood, mahogany wood, and other dark wood grains enrich the visual aesthetics of your living space.
Mission Style vs. Arts and Crafts Style
| Mission Style | Arts and Crafts Style |
| 1. Rectangular Shape, 90 degree Angles, Straight Vertical and Horizontal lines. | 1. Simple yet visually striking designs that evoke nostalgic old-world charm. |
| 2. Entirely handcrafted for adding uniqueness to living spaces. | 2. Handmade furniture that remind us of the skills possessed by craftsmen. |
| 2. Handmade furniture that reminds us of the skills possessed by craftsmen. | 3. Focus on functionality and subtle ornamentation makes them stand apart. |
Every Fire Needs a Flame!
Just as fire needs a flame, every style needs a designer who can popularize it with original creations. For the mission style of furniture that flame was furniture designer Gustav Stickley. Trained at his uncle’s chair factory, Stickley first became its manager and later founded his own furniture company. The style of furniture he made came to be known by the names mission furniture or craftsman furniture. Simple and clean lines and natural grains and stains paired with impeccable craftsmanship turned each piece into art.
Significance of Mission Style Furniture in Modern Homes!
Influenced by Spanish and Mexican architecture, mission-style furniture has an enduring appeal and versatile appearance fit for modern homes. Today, mission-style furniture is made with an equal focus on beauty and practicality. Whether your home interior is traditional or contemporary, mission-style pieces like a coffee table or TV Stand can add charm to its character. With a busier lifestyle, functional and space-saving furniture has grown in demand. Mission-style furniture excels in this regard as its clean lines are meant to save space without compromising on visual allure.
Tips for Selecting the Best Mission Style Furniture
If you want to make furniture rooted in rich cultural heritage a part of your home, mission-style pieces are the way to go! Here are some considerations for buying the right ones:
Place according to space:
Nowadays, mission-style pieces are available in an astoundingly vast spread. You can use them as the center of attraction or for accentuating the existing decorative perfection. A bedside storage chest in mission style will amplify the sophisticated finesse of the space and offer substantial storage. Coffee tables available in mission style are marked with convenient rectangular or square shapes and come with simple hidden storage for utility.
Insight: A mission-style TV unit can break the monotony of usual interior techniques while blending perfectly with the modern ethos.
Quality Above Everything:
When you invest in mission-style furniture it becomes a piece of family heirloom because of its timeless charm. That’s why, quality should be prioritized while shopping! Trusted manufacturers and sellers like Sierra Living Concepts offer first-rated solid wood paired with top-of-the-line craftsmanship. Our mission-style pieces are made and customized to seamlessly fit into every interior style.
Do You Know?
In the 1990s, mission-style furniture became a rage and its increasing popularity coincided with Hollywood’s golden era. No wonder, this style of furniture can be spotted in films featuring Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and the like. In Charlie Chaplin’s short film ‘The Star Boarder’ (1914) a mission-style chair was part of the set. From Dead Again (1991) and A River Runs Through It (1992) in the 1990s to Time Traveler’s Wife (2022), mission-style furniture has been used in numerous films.
Custom-made Mission Style Pieces for Matchless Home Décor!
Every homeowner dreams of creating a unique living space. With Sierra Living Concepts’ wide array of mission-style pieces, you can turn this dream into reality. Artisanal and handcrafted furniture is the latest rage among interior enthusiasts. Mission-style furniture pieces made by our master craftsmen will fall perfectly in place with this emerging décor trend. What’s more, with us you can customize the designs to make every piece exclusive. Do you have any mission-style furniture stories up your sleeve? Share in the comments below!
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