The Arts and Crafts movement in America occurred between 1870 and 1920. It spawned a historical era of simplicity and functionality in furniture. Gustav Stickley, a New York designer, is credited for creating this simple, geometric style of furniture we now know as Mission style. The Stickley Company introduced their "Craftsman" collection in 1900 at a furniture expo as a stark contrast to the gaudy, ornate Victorian styles of the time. The style caught on very quickly, but was in high demand for only about 15 years. Today, however, mission style furniture is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Barbra Streisand and Louie Anderson are two well-known collectors. Inspired by hand-crafted pieces in Spanish missions in Mexico and the southwestern United States, mission furniture is known for its square and heavy look and extreme functionality. Mission Style Construction
Typically made of solid oak and finished with a dark stain, mission furniture today blends traditional solid construction and design with finishes and styles of a more modern flair. Now, you can find lighter, less-imposing mission oak furniture for your home that still retains the superior functionality that is the trademark of this style. Antique mission-style pieces and are still quite popular as well. Old mission-style beds are one of the most popular items bought today at auctions and retail antique dealers. Characterized by heavy, rectangular headboards and footboards, these beds are a commanding presence in any bedroom. Dressers, nightstands and armoires in this style also tend to be heavy and large. Telltale dovetail joints for solid construction mark original pieces. As well, pegs instead of screws are typical of antique mission furniture.
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