Gustav Stickley, a furniture designer in the early 20th century, is credited with creating the style known as Mission. It is characterized by clean lines and minimal decoration, exposed joinery and natural materials such as oak and leather. You can decorate your kitchen in Mission style to create a space charming in its simplicity yet dramatic in its effect. Does this Spark an idea?
Cabinets
Cabinets in a Mission-style kitchen are made of solid oak. Any paneling or beveling on the cabinet doors is rectangular, with at most a curved crown. If you want a touch of the Arts and Crafts style in your cabinetry, add glass panes to two or three of the cabinet doors.
Use hardware that is seated on the exterior of the frame. The Mission style is noted for its exposed joinery and hardware, reflecting the craftsmanship of creating pieces from raw material.
Counter Tops
In contemporary kitchens, granite counter tops are rapidly becoming the norm. Being a natural material, granite blends well with the Mission style. However, granite is a highly decorative stone. To relieve some of the decoration, include a length of butcher block in your counter top. An alternative would be concrete counter tops.
Flooring
Oak planks are an excellent feature in Mission-style decorating, but they may not be practical for your kitchen or within your budget. Opt for laminate in oak veneer or cork flooring as alternatives.
Tables and Chairs
Chairs in the Mission style have square leg rungs. The chair backs are squared and the seating is upholstered in leather or cotton. The chair spines are flat, unturned wood set in vertical patterns.
A Mission-style table is rectangular and like its companion chairs, the legs are square. Both the chairs and table are made of oak, though oak veneer may be more affordable.
Color Scheme
Though the earthy browns dominate the Mission style, you can bring color into your kitchen. Creamy white trim with rustic orange or yellow walls will brighten the space. You could also stain the trim oak and paint the walls a sea green, a pale blue or ocher. The Mission-style color palette includes any color found in nature, including greens and reds. The colors, though, are always muted.
Use pottery to bring in more color and add texture. Terra-cotta planters are compatible with the Mission style, but also add some matte glazed ceramics in green, yellow and orange.
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