If you are tired of high-tech and sleek modern designs, the mission style of decorating may be just what you're looking for. The term "mission style" is often used interchangeably with the phrase "Arts and Crafts." This type of decorating is classic, durable and appealing to people who appreciate basic but beautiful interiors that are functional and inviting. Does this Spark an idea?
History
The mission style of decorating originally got its inspiration from the Spanish missions and the wood furniture that was used in these buildings. Gustav Stickley, who operated a chair factory, led the "mission style" movement in the United States. He was an advocate of hand-craftsmanship and good solid design. Mission decor became popular around the turn of the twentieth century. Famous architects who incorporated aspects of this style into their own work include Frank Loyd Wright and Charles and Henry Greene, who used this style when building bungalows in California during the early twentieth century.
Why The Resurgence in Popularity?
There are always going to be trends and fads in clothing, cars, hairstyles, furniture, lifestyles and interior design. Some trends become iconic, such as the mission design, although it did fade in popularity, while other fads are temporary and never to be resurrected because they weren't good to begin with. The mission style is substantial and durable and appeals to the recent attitude that people need to get back to their roots and become more self-reliant while appreciating that which is meaningful and substantive. American society now appreciates hand-crafted items, as well as those who create them. It's a departure from the high-tech life that most people live, which is probably why the classic and timeless appeal of mission decor strikes a chord with many. The furniture is functional as well as beautiful and the wood gets better and more beautiful over time. The home interiors based on this style were meant to be used and lived in and not just looked at. When you walk into a mission style home you can easily imagine a large family sitting around a table, talking, eating, playing a game of cards or enjoying their time together in the beautiful, rich space that is their living quarters.
Features of Mission Decor
Mission style furniture and mission style home interiors, emphasizes wood, mostly native American oak that has been stained. The wood was never painted, always stained.The handiwork of the carpenters was highlighted by staining the joints in a piece a darker color than the body so that the expert carpentry would be noted. Mission style decor is straight to the point. There are no fussy designs and very little decoration. Mission artisans also incorporated beaten copper candle-holders, hand-turned earthenware and stained glass chandeliers into the overall design. The coverings used on furniture was canvas or leather. The mission look is powerful yet inviting because of the clean design and the beautiful wood in overhead beams, interior structural posts and in the rest of the mission style decor. The most notable piece of mission design is the Stickley chair. This style of decorating was at its peak between 1880 and 1915. After World War II, its popularity faded but in recent years people have once again begun to appreciate mission style and are outfitting their homes in this look.
Getting the Look
Wood is the main component in mission style decorating, with oak being used traditionally, although natural cherry is a good choice. Texture is provided by the wood grain. Cherry is a reddish color whereas brown has a golden brown hue. The woods darken with age but that's good. The finish should be waxed or oiled. There is a focus on cabinet pulls and door knobs that have been hand-crafted and are either bronze or wrought iron. Furniture joints are hand-crafted or pegged and metal hardware is used, according to Melissa Galt of Melissa Galt, Inc. In mission decor, structural supports are exposed. Stair rails, flooring and molding are featured. Everything is done in wood, primarily oak.
Appropriate Accents and Accessories
Because there is a preponderance of dark wood in mission style, remember to incorporate lots of light into decorating theme. You might consider some reproduction lighting sources that look as if they came from the mission era. Table and floor lamps work well with this style. Lamps that cast light on the ceiling would also provide light and be effective aesthetically. Ceramic tile and metal were frequently incorporated into the mission design when it first appeared. These items continue to be nice complements to the mission style and can be used in your accessories. Your window treatments should be kept simple, such as a Roman shade. Wrought iron decorative rods would work well in the mission setting. Mission style homes features a lot of windows. Rich, solid colors, rather than flashy designs, can be used effectively on mission furniture.
Tags: mission style, style decorating, mission design, mission style decorating, this style
