Overview:
This 1909 handbook, “Mission Furniture: How to Make It, Part 1,” provides detailed instructions and illustrations for building various pieces of furniture in the popular Mission style. The book caters to a beginner audience, offering clear explanations and practical advice on woodworking techniques. It covers a wide range of furniture types, including chairs, tables, desks, lamps, and even a combination billiard table and davenport.
The author emphasizes the importance of using high-quality materials and employing precise measurements and woodworking skills for successful construction. The handbook also offers guidance on different finishing techniques, including staining, filling, waxing, and fuming. Throughout the guide, the author highlights the importance of using simple, functional designs, a hallmark of the Mission style.
Key Findings:
- Mission furniture’s popularity in the early 20th century: The handbook reflects the prevalent interest in this style, characterized by its clean lines, simplicity, and emphasis on functionality.
- Importance of craftsmanship and accurate woodworking: The author stresses the need for precise measurements and skillful execution of joints and tenons for constructing durable and aesthetically pleasing furniture.
- Versatility of the Mission style: The handbook showcases a variety of furniture types suitable for different rooms and purposes, demonstrating the adaptability of the Mission aesthetic.
Learning:
- Woodworking Techniques: The reader will learn fundamental woodworking techniques like tenoning, mortising, doweling, and gluing, essential for building furniture. The book provides detailed instructions with illustrations to guide the reader through each process.
- Mission Style Design: The reader will gain an understanding of the defining features of Mission furniture, including its focus on straight lines, simplicity, and functionality. This will help the reader appreciate and create furniture that embodies the style’s aesthetic.
- Finishing Techniques: The handbook explores various finishing methods for Mission furniture, including staining, filling, waxing, and fuming. The reader will learn the techniques for applying these finishes to achieve different effects and maintain the furniture’s aesthetic.
Historical Context:
This handbook was published in 1909, a period of significant social and cultural change in the United States. The Arts and Crafts Movement, with its emphasis on handcrafted objects, was gaining popularity, influencing the design trends of the time. The Mission style, with its emphasis on functional and straightforward design, emerged as a popular expression of this movement.
The handbook reflects this historical context by providing detailed instructions for building furniture that embodies the values of simplicity, craftsmanship, and functionality. The publication of this handbook suggests that the Mission style was accessible and attainable for a wider audience, not just those with specialized training or resources.
Facts:
- Mission furniture emphasizes functionality and simplicity: The style avoids excessive ornamentation and focuses on clean lines and practical use. This is evident in the book’s instructions, which prioritize strength and ease of construction.
- Quarter-sawed oak is a popular choice for Mission furniture: Its distinctive grain pattern and durability make it well-suited for the style’s aesthetic. The author frequently recommends this wood throughout the handbook.
- Fuming oak with ammonia creates a rich, dark finish: This technique is highlighted as a way to achieve a distinctive and popular Mission-style color. The author provides detailed instructions on fuming.
- Mission furniture can be made from a variety of woods: While oak is frequently recommended, the book acknowledges that other woods, like ash, birch, or pine, can be used successfully.
- Spanish roan leather is a common upholstery material for Mission furniture: Its durability and aesthetic appeal make it a preferred choice for cushions and seating.
- Mission furniture pieces can be customized to suit individual needs: The book encourages readers to adapt designs to their preferences, whether it’s adding slats, adjusting dimensions, or choosing different finishing techniques.
- The Mission style emerged as a popular expression of the Arts and Crafts Movement: This movement emphasized handcrafted objects and a return to traditional craftsmanship.
- Mission furniture is often characterized by its use of square and rectangular shapes: This geometric approach reflects the style’s focus on simplicity and functionality.
- Mortise-and-tenon joints are a common construction method for Mission furniture: These joints provide strength and durability, essential for building sturdy furniture.
- Mission furniture can be finished with various methods, including staining, filling, waxing, and fuming: These techniques create different visual effects and contribute to the style’s aesthetic.
- The Mission style is often associated with a warm, earthy color palette: This reflects the style’s connection to nature and its appreciation for natural materials.
- Mission furniture can be built at home with basic woodworking tools: The handbook provides detailed instructions and diagrams to guide the reader through the process.
- Mission furniture is often characterized by its use of metal hardware, such as hinges, screws, and handles: These elements add a touch of industrial aesthetic to the design.
- The Mission style was popularized in the early 20th century but remains relevant today: Its timeless aesthetic and emphasis on functionality continue to appeal to modern audiences.
- Mission furniture is often designed to be easily assembled and disassembled: This feature makes it practical for moving and storage.
- The book encourages the use of dowels for certain joints: Dowels are considered a reliable and strong way to secure joints, especially in areas where screws or nails might be difficult to use.
- A coat of shellac is often applied before filling: This helps prevent the filler from staining the lighter areas of the wood, resulting in a more consistent color.
- Waxing is a popular method for finishing Mission furniture: Wax provides a durable and water-resistant finish that enhances the wood’s natural beauty.
- The author recommends using hot glue for best results when assembling joints: Hot glue provides a strong bond that is less likely to weaken over time.
- The book offers advice on choosing the right stain for different woods: Stain color should complement the wood’s natural tones and create a visually appealing finish.
- The author emphasizes the importance of sanding between coats of finish: Sanding creates a smooth surface that allows subsequent coats to adhere properly.
- The book notes that a fumed finish should not be varnished or French polished: These finishes can obscure the unique character of the fumed oak.
- Black wax is a good choice for filling in pores on open-grained woods: This prevents the wax from showing white streaks in the finish.
Statistics:
- 40 distinct styles of chairs: The book mentions a chart that classifies chairs from 3000 B.C. to 1900 A.D. across 40 different styles.
- 1909: The year the book was published, highlighting the popularity of the Mission style during this era.
- 7,000 years: The span of time covered by the chart of chair styles, demonstrating the evolution of furniture design.
- 1 qt. of stain: The amount of stain produced using the provided recipe for a true Mission oak stain.
- 600 sq. ft.: The estimated area that one gallon of a cheap Mission-style stain can cover.
- 15 hours: The recommended time for fuming oak with ammonia to achieve the desired shade.
- 2 parts wax to 1 part turpentine: The usual proportion for a wax and turpentine mixture used for finishing furniture.
- 1/2 oz. rose pink in oil: The amount used in the recipe for a true Mission oak stain, along with 1 lb. of drop black in oil and 3/4 pint of turpentine.
Terms:
- Mission style: A furniture style popular in the early 20th century, known for its clean lines, simplicity, and emphasis on functionality.
- Quarter-sawed oak: Oak wood cut in a specific way that results in a distinctive grain pattern with prominent medullary rays.
- Tenon: A projection on the end of a piece of wood that fits into a mortise, creating a strong joint.
- Mortise: A rectangular hole cut into a piece of wood to receive a tenon.
- Dowel: A cylindrical pin used to join pieces of wood.
- Fuming: A technique for darkening wood using ammonia fumes.
- Staining: Applying a colored solution to wood to change its color.
- Filling: Applying a paste to fill in pores of the wood, creating a smooth surface.
- Waxing: Applying wax to a surface to create a protective and glossy finish.
- Shellac: A varnish made from a resin secreted by an insect.
- Varnish: A protective and glossy coating applied to wood.
- Chamfer: A beveled edge created by removing a small amount of material.
Examples:
- Mission chair: The handbook provides detailed instructions for building a dining room chair with a solid or cane seat upholstered with leather.
- Library lamp stand: The book explains how to make a stand with a central hole for wiring and a shade that can be purchased or made.
- Porch chair: The handbook details the construction of a comfortable and attractive chair that folds for storage.
- Tabouret: The book guides the reader through building a small, sturdy stool with a cross-lap joint and keyed tenons.
- Morris chair: The handbook provides instructions for building a comfortable reclining chair with adjustable backrests.
- Mission library table: The book offers a detailed plan for building a spacious table with a shelf, tenons, and keyed joints.
- Candlestick: The book features a simple candlestick design with a square base, post, and handle.
- Magazine stand: The handbook provides instructions for building a stand with shelves and braces for storing magazines.
- Lawn swing: The book details the construction of a portable swing with a sturdy stand and hanging ropes or chains.
- Combination billiard table and davenport: The book explains how to build a table with a convertible top that transforms into a comfortable sofa.
Conclusion:
“Mission Furniture: How to Make It, Part 1” offers a valuable guide for anyone interested in building their own furniture in the timeless Mission style. The book provides clear instructions, detailed illustrations, and practical tips for constructing a variety of pieces, from chairs and tables to desks and even a combination billiard table and davenport. The author emphasizes the importance of using high-quality materials, employing precise woodworking techniques, and understanding the defining characteristics of the Mission style. This handbook empowers readers to create beautiful and functional furniture that reflects the values of simplicity, craftsmanship, and functionality.