Imagine it – the warmth of a flickering fireplace on a cold winter day. While it’s frigid outside, it’s cozy and comfortable inside. Days like these are the perfect time to relax with a good book and cup of tea, effortlessly lounged on your home’s Mission Style furniture.
Fireside Furniture has a large stock of Mission Style furniture available for your home. Learn more about this timeless furniture style below, then stop by our showroom to see what we have available.
What is Mission Style Furniture?
Known for a simplistic design that accentuates the grain of wood it is made from, Mission Style furniture is timeless and can be easily incorporated into a home with any style decor.
Mission Style furniture, at its core, exudes simplicity and craftsmanship.
Key Characteristics of Mission Style Furniture
Simplicity and Functionality
Unlike some styles that prioritize aesthetics over ease-of-use, mission furniture is known for its clean, simple designs and durability.
Instead of ornate carvings or intricate details common in other styles, such as Victorian or Rococo, Mission furniture relies on its simplicity for its elegance.
But don’t mistake its simplicity for lack of sophistication! The beauty resides in the thoughtful construction and deliberate choice of materials, adding an inherently practical nature to each item created within this style.
Use of Natural Materials
Mission style furniture is known for its use of strong, natural materials in its construction. Oak wood is most often used. However, other types of solid hardwood like hickory, maple, and cherry, are also commonly found in Mission Style.
While the type of wood is certainly important in distinguishing Mission Style from other furniture types, it is the visible wood grains in Mission Style construction that truly make it unique. Craftsmen apply special finishes to the surface of the wood to bring out the texture hidden beneath each wooden slab, highlighting its natural elegance.
Geometric Shapes and Clean Lines
Deliberate geometric shapes and straightforward lines are staples within Mission Style.
While curves occasionally appear on select pieces, most Mission furniture relies on right angles and flat surfaces. These deliberate lines and corners complement modern interiors, contrasting rounder elements nicely while blending with other more linear pieces.
Focus on Craftsmanship and Handiwork
Mission Style furniture is most often handmade. Artisans construct their pieces meticulously, using time-honored techniques to enhance durability while preserving artistic integrity.
Folks with Mission Style furniture in their homes might notice something interesting about their pieces – visible joints. These elements not only provide extra strength and enhance the furniture’s structural integrity, but also serve as signature embellishments frequently seen throughout Mission Style work.
Often, buyers will find slight variations among pieces — yet another testament to the handmade nature of each item.
Comparison with Other Furniture Styles
Fireside Furniture sells a variety of classic, elegant furniture styles, such as farmhouse, country, and rustic. There are both striking differences and surprising similarities between Mission Style furniture and other popular furniture types.
Differences between Mission Style and Shaker Furniture
Despite often being grouped together due to their shared emphasis on simplicity, Mission Style furniture and Shaker furniture are distinct from each other. To understand them better, let’s explore some of their defining characteristics:
While both styles believe in the “form follows function” maxim, they interpret it differently. Shaker furniture focuses on minimalist design that entirely forgoes ornamentation, whereas Mission Style both emphasizes the importance of functionality and exudes exquisite craftsmanship details, such as visible joints and wood grain.
Secondly, the architectural construction differs between the two styles; Shaker furniture often displays tapered legs or feet. This concept is largely absent in Mission pieces which favor straight lines and flat panels instead.
Lastly, there are clear variations in wood choices. Shaker furniture typically uses light-weight woods like pine or maple, whereas strong wood, such as oak, is common in Mission furniture.
Although clear differences set them apart, there’s no rule saying homeowners can’t mix-and-match – especially if you’re someone who enjoys blending different decor elements while decorating your home!
Similarities and Differences with Other Popular Furniture Styles
- Mission vs Victorian: Victorian furniture could be considered the opposite of Mission. Victorian uses heavy embellishments, delicate carvings, and use of exotic woods.
- Mission vs Mid-Century Modern: Despite their temporal separation, these two styles share a surprising number of traits. They both champion simplicity, honesty in use of materials, and functional designs. However, Mid-Century Modern (often abbreviated to MCM) frequently uses materials such as plastic or steel, too.
Mission Style Furniture and Interior Design
Here at Fireside Furniture, we like to look at the entire breadth of design and style in a home, not just its furniture. This is why we have articles on how to place area rugs in your home, for example, and discuss color palettes for your home. Well, when looking at any furniture style in general, we need to consider how it works within an entire home aesthetic. In this instance, Mission Style furniture is the perfect blend of the old and new, and has impacted Interior Design trends in significant ways.
Integration of Mission Style into Different Interior Design Styles
When integrated with a modern minimalistic decor, Mission Style furniture counterbalances the often stark modern feel with its classic warmth. Its sturdy construction and wood hues break down stark minimalism without overwhelming it.
Meanwhile, in rustic interiors, Mission furnishings lend an air of antique appeal while maintaining functional beauty. Country-style spaces also welcome the addition of Mission furniture where their timeless grace complements pastoral-inspired settings beautifully.
In more formal atmospheres such as those seen in classic or colonial interiors, Mission furniture serves as a grounding element. Its robust form and rich woodworking details introduce a comfortable sense of hominess when integrated with grand architectural features.
How to Incorporate Mission Style Furniture in Modern Interiors
Integrating Mission furniture with other decor styles is easy! However, homeowners should be mindful about creating harmony with the other design components in their home. Here are some tips to consider:
- Keep it Simple: Aim for less; remember that the essence of Mission Furniture is both simplicity and durability.
- Balance Colors: When pairing with modern decors, consider the color scheme. The warm hues in Mission furniture complement the neutral tones found in contemporary interiors.
- Prioritize Function Over Aesthetics: While aesthetics play a significant role, it’s the fine balance between style and functionality that sets mission style apart. Therefore, the function should take precedence when selecting pieces for your home.
- Choose Quality: It’s essential to stay true to how Mission Style furniture was originally created – durable craftsmanship with high quality. Always prioritize quality when purchasing other furniture for your home.
Incorporating Mission Style furniture into modern interiors can create a welcoming atmosphere that embodies comfort and elegance while highlighting a homeowner’s own unique style.
Tips for Creating a Cohesive Look with Other Decor Elements
Interested in further incorporating Mission furniture into your home? Here are some other suggestions to consider:
- Stay True to Natural Materials: Stick close to crafted materials such as wood, stone, or pottery when selecting decor items to complement your Mission Style furniture.
- Colors: Mission furniture favors warm, muted tones found in nature. Consider sticking to a color palette that uses rich browns, greens, and blues accentuated with creamy white tones.
- Textiles: Use textural elements like woven rugs, natural cotton drapes, or patchwork quilts to add to the cozy ambiance associated with the Mission style.
The essence of decorating with Mission Style furniture is about balancing functionality with design integrity. Incorporate your own unique style and preferences. While we have recommendations about how to do this, at the end of the day, it’s your home and your unique style. Do what makes you happiest!
Most Popular Types of Mission Style Furniture
Mission Style Dining Room Furniture
Mission furniture shines in your dining room. The style lends itself perfectly to the heart-of-the-home setting and will leave dinner guests feeling like they are eating amongst elegance.
When you step into a mission-style dining room, the furniture exudes warmth while deeply grounding the mealtime experience – making every serving feel just a bit homier!
Mission Style Bedroom Furniture
It is important to feel peaceful in your bedroom. Fortunately, Mission furniture prioritizes comfort. Think of how nice it will feel to sink into a sturdy-built bed at the end of a long day.
Additionally, adorn your bedroom with other Mission pieces, such as dressers and nightstands for even more elegant simplicity.
Mission Style Office Furniture
Finally, consider the professional domain – your office! Mission furniture showcases a blend of tradition and an air of authority, which is perfect for any workplace.
Consider adding a leather upholstered chair to add another level of sophistication without compromising comfort.
Mission Style Living Room Furniture
A living room is often the social hub of a home, especially here in New Jersey. Consider Mission Style coffee tables, end tables, armchairs, and more.
More than just functional pieces, these furnishings become vibrant expressions when accompanied by craftsman-style accessories like angular lamps or statement-making area rugs.
Mission Style Furniture Adds Character
Mission Style Furniture has a sleek minimalist design that is perfect for any decor aesthetic or lifestyle, and it is easily paired with other styles of furniture for homeowners who enjoy mixing and matching.
Whether you’re considering completely revamping your home or buying new furniture, consider purchasing Mission Style furniture from Fireside Furniture. Stop by our vast showroom on Route 23 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey today to learn more about this timeless style, and see the pieces we have in person.