Mission Style Furniture - Get This Classic Look in your Home

If you like your furniture built solid and built to last with no frills or needless embellishment, then Mission Style furniture is what you’re looking for. The Mission or Arts and Crafts Movement was a backlash against the extravagant, over-the-top designs of the Victorian era and also against the mass produced furniture emerging after the industrial revolution. In the late 1890s, craftsmen such as Gustav Stickley led the charge to incorporate clean, geometric lines and natural materials to produce structurally sound pieces that emphasized the originality of the craftsman and his handiwork.

Telltale signs of Mission Style furniture include visible joints, such as the mortise and tenon that was popular at the time and continues to serve furniture makers today, as well as quarter-sawn wood which gave the grain a beautiful look. Nails and rivets were often left exposed to add a gleaming contrast to the wood or upholstery. While the philosophy seems to set-up decades of fabulously boring furniture, it was anything but. Rather, Mission furniture was beautifully designed, with manufacturers relying on exquisite craftsmanship and finishing techniques to add serene elegance to an item.

The Mission Style has been revived recently with many furniture manufacturers producing sturdier, solid wood pieces built to be passed on from generation to generation. This philosophy has been extended to much of the aesthetic of contemporary furniture. Clean, sharp geometric lines and a lack of ornamentation along with a renewed sense of pride in craftsmanship are present in much of today’s furniture.

If you’re interested in getting the Mission look in your home search out solid, rustic-looking pieces that appear to have aged well or newer pieces that look like they can stand the test of time. Rich wood tones like mahogany and stained oak are the trademarks of classic Mission Style, but modern pieces can be found in a wide array of colors, wood types, and finishes. Good luck as you work toward creating a beautiful Mission look in your home.

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Mission Style Furniture - Here is Why it is So Popular With Any Decor

By Mark S Myers

Mission style furniture, inspired by the early Spanish missions in California, is as popular today as it was in the early part of the twentieth century. Here is why mission style furniture is so popular and functional and you may want to consider it for your home.

This type of furniture is known for its square and heavy look and orientation toward functionality. A core component of the arts and crafts design concept, mission style furniture is a fantastic choice for furniture that is built solid and long lasting. There are people who swear by the usability and style appeal of mission style furniture.

The key characteristics of mission style furniture include creation for functionality over style or fashion, and a simple lasting construction out of high quality woods and materials. Being of the arts and crafts era, small details such as the joinery are made in a superior fashion to enhance the longevity and appeal of these pieces.

Mission furniture is available today in many different pieces. It is almost always carved of oak and is traditionally designed to fit the bungalow style home environment. When decorating around mission furniture it is important to carry through the simplicity of design and focus on function if you want an accurate representation of the period. This means keeping walls plain and floors either polished or with very basic carpet options, in the one color.

Using mission style furniture will enhance your personal belongings as the furniture itself will not be overpowering. It will help to enhance and showcase other furniture items in your home.

Using mission style bedroom furniture will give you a solid resting place, as well as good quality storage options. It will last for years from college dorm to retirement home and beyond with ease. If it is cared for appropriately, mission style furniture will look as good as new decades down the road and because of this, you can also look for antique furniture pieces in this style.

It is traditionally colored with a medium to dark stain, and because of the color and materials, this furniture is best suited to larger more spacious sized rooms. It is often heavy visually, so light surrounding colors and paint on walls would be ideal.

When buying mission furniture, look for authenticity of the piece, quality of workmanship, and reputation of seller/builder. The best quality mission style furniture will be from native American oak with exposed joinery. It will be hand finished, hand rubber and sealed in a soft satin finish. Authentic mission furniture also has upholstery made of natural materials like canvas and leather.

This type of furniture is a great option for those with a bit of space and a penchant for traditional styling. By using this furniture, you can create a simple, functional and warm environment in which to live. Simple in style and construction, elegant and functional with a timeless beauty, Mission style furniture will be a welcome addition and blend well with any decor.

Mark writes on a variety of topics including home furnishings. If you are looking for TV stand ideas for your new television you may want to take a look at TV Stand Furniture. Also, here is where you can go for a great selection in the very popular Bush TV Stands.

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