Joseph McHugh used the term ‘mission style’ to describe his line of straight line rustic style furniture that he began producing in earnest in 1895. As a Result of this, mission style furniture developed into a popular style around the turn of the 20th century. It started based on the furniture being made for a church in San Francisco and being reflective of the old Spanish missions. By the early 1900’s, there were 2 distinct craftsmen who had introduced this furniture to its current style of straight line - for example, the mission recliner. The two individuals were named Gustav Stickley and Elbert Hubbard, are the fathers of what we see today. Joseph Mchugh won a silver medal at the 1901 Pan-American Exhibition displaying his furniture, but Stickley and Hubbard progressed on in a much more prolific manner.
In the early twentieth century every home was either furnished in Victorian furniture or mission style furniture, and, possibly, a little of both. The trend of these furnishings was more then anticipated. Because of this thrust many manufacturers started developing a line of mission style furniture, or were totally committed to this line alone.
Craftsman Workshops of Gustav Stickley were known as the leader in quality and design for the era. To date his influence is monumental. All of his furniture was hand made rather than machine made, created to be practical and simple. He used nearly exclusively oak, the joiners were in view, the upholstery was either leather or canvas, wood could be varnished but never painted, and there was never any useless lines. No nails were utlized just wooden pegs or beaten copper or iron. Many people will pay in the several thousands to own an authentic piece of his craftsmanship. Among the other craftsman that gave to the manufacturing of this style are L&JG Stickley, Charles Rohlfs, Charles Limbert, The Shop of the Crafters, Stickley Brothers, Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Company, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Greene and Greene. Their contribution and ifluence is still remaining today.
Mission style furniture, after over 100 years, remains a very desired style of furniture. It is being produced by the one man craftsman to being manufactured by the midsize to large national companies. As it’s always been, the craftsmanship of this furniture varies widely. Some is constructed of solid oak while others are being made of pressboard and laminate. Finding the workmanship and price you want is up to you. The Amish have made a trade of making elevated quality mission style furniture, and there are many Indiana Amish furniture stores today, such as this Shipshewana furniture location.
