Joseph McHugh used the phrase ‘mission style’ to describe his line of straight line rustic style furniture that he began producing in earnest in 1895. From this, mission style furniture developed into a popular style around circa 1900. 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 specific craftsman who had brought this furniture to its current linear style – for example, the mission style recliner. These men, 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 continued on in a much more prolific way.
In the early 1900′s every home was either furnished in Victorian furniture or mission style furniture, and, potentially, a little of both. The impact of these furnishings was more then anticipated. Because of this boom many manufacturers started making a line of mission style furniture, or were totally committed to this line alone.
Craftsman Workshops of Gustav Stickley were reputed as the leader in quality and design for the time. To date his inspiration is mind-boggling. All of his furniture was man made rather than machine made, designed to be practical and basic. He used nearly exclusively oak, the joiners were exposed, the upholstery was either leather or canvas, wood could be varnished but never painted, and there were never any unnecessary lines. No nails were used only 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 contributed to the development 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, is still a very sought after style of furniture. It is being produced by the one man craftsman as well as being manufactured by the medium to large national companies. As it has always been, the craftsmanship of this furniture varies widely. Some can be made of solid oak while some is being made of pressboard and laminate. Discovering the workmanship and cost you want is up to you. The Amish have developed a trade of making high quality mission style furniture, and there are many Amish furniture stores today, such as this Shipshewana Amish furniture location.

