Mission style furniture embodies the concept of form following function. With its clean lines and handcrafted appeal, mission style furniture is designed to fulfill its purpose with as little fanfare as possible. Its simplicity is striking in its elegance. Does this Spark an idea?
History
Mission style furniture, often mistakenly thought of as being of American origin, actually originated in England in the late nineteenth century. In 1859, the architect Philip Webb built a house for William Morris. Built of brick, the house came to be called the Red House. The Red House was built to function as a practical home. The architecture and furnishing were designed as a whole; it was a holistic approach to architecture and interior. The furnishings were designed to compliment the architecture. They were simple, straightforward and functional.
Effects
The simplicity of style was a departure from the lush and plush of the Victorian era. Architects and furniture designers favored the new look for its clean lines and its cultural statement.
The Arts and Crafts movement, and its style of furniture, honored the work of artisans. The handcrafted styling, the evidence of workmanship was to be emphasized; this made for honest, functional furniture. The mission of the movement was to place before ornamentation the purpose of the piece. By the 1890s, the Arts and Crafts movement was firmly entrenched in American architecture and furniture design.
Identification
The emphasis on workmanship included the use of quality materials. Oak was commonly used for furniture, and the technique of quarter sawing was used to highlight the wood grain. The joinery and hardware on furniture and cabinetry is incorporated into the design, rather than hidden by it.
Mission style furniture is recognizable by its linear appeal and minimal ornamentation. Chairs have straight backs and flat slats. Legs are straight with flat feet. Upholstery is used sparingly in mission style furniture design, but leather and linen are common upholstery coverings.
Mission style cabinetry, such as writing desks and tables, sometimes have inlay design, usually geometric. Any ornamentation is minimal and is designed to draw attention to the craft of the work, rather than as an adornment.
Types
Mission style furniture can have a rustic appeal. The handcrafted aesthetic of the style lends itself to rural interiors, ranging from the farmhouse of rural America to the country house of the well to do.
The mission style is somewhat rigid in its characteristics: straight lines, hewn woods, metal hardware and little ornamentation. But the confines of the style does enjoy some diversification.
Copper accents in hardware and joinery give the style some color. Large decorative nail heads used in upholstery add texture. Cabinet doors may have inset panels or drawers finished with decorative knobs. The designers of mission furniture relied on detail to relieve the almost harsh geometry of the style.
Geography
Mission style furniture, and the Arts and Crafts architecture for which it was originally designed, was prominent in the Southwest and California from 1890 into the 1920s.
Spanish Mission architecture, which was prevalent throughout California, was styled after the missions built in the region in the previous centuries. The mission style furniture of the Arts and Crafts movement transitioned over to this architecture almost immediately.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the Southwestern states and California were infused with Spanish, English and Native American influences. The mission style furnishings answered these influences well. Constructed from wood and accented with copper and metal, the style blended well with the contemporary architecture.
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