Mission oak dining set, Father Jose Mut's dining room at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Mission-style furniture came about when the American Arts & Crafts Movement met the American West. The name "Mission-style" refers to the Spanish missions that were common throughout the West. Mission-style furniture is recognized for its simple elegance, utility, sturdiness and quality of construction. The Arts & Crafts Movement was built upon the belief that a master craftsman was superior to the machines of the Industrial Revolution. Remaining true to that spirit is at the heart of making Mission-style furniture. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Study Mission-style designs and designers. Although the basic design elements are fairly constant, there will be some style differences between the simple utilitarian mission pieces and the more popular pieces create by the Arts & Crafts designers. Gustav Stickley was one of the premier designers of Mission-style furniture during the Arts & Crafts period, and his designs are still commonly reproduced.
2. Choose a design or create your own using the Mission-style design elements. Plans are available for purchase or free download in many places throughout the Internet. You can also find specific plans in a variety of woodworking magazines.
3. Choose a wood and build your furniture piece according to the design plans. Oak is a common wood for Mission-style furniture and makes a sturdy piece, but most any wood will work. Take your time. Mission-style furniture was meant to be sturdy and to last. The designs tend to be simple, so it is easier to concentrate on making each cut and each joint precise.
4. Choose a finish and apply it to the piece. Natural finishes that highlight rather than cover the grain of the wood are most common in Mission-style furniture, especially designs with an Arts & Crafts influence. Take your time when applying your finish. Quality is one of the hallmarks of Mission-style furniture designs.
Tags: Mission-style furniture, Arts Crafts, Arts Crafts Movement, Crafts Movement, design elements, Take your