Mission Style Decorating
Arts and Crafts

Mission style decorating – otherwise known as the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style – is still a very popular look in the modern age.

It is a simple and straightforward style – taking its inspiration from nature and craftsmanship – and harking back to a simpler time in the past, when life ran at a gentler pace, and family ties were very strong.

If you fancy a timeless, classic, simple look – warm, friendly, with all the comforts of home – yet still incredibly stylish and elegant – take a closer look. Just bear with me a little while as I explain the whole concept of the look, before we get down to the style practicalities…

Mission style decorating began, with the Arts and Crafts style, in the 1860’s. Although this was still part of the Victorian era, the movement actually began as a reaction against the overly ornate and ‘fussy’ style of Victorian decorating. The style developed, and in 1901 the Arts and Crafts look (or Mission style decorating) was showcased in Gustav Stickley’s magazine ‘The Craftsman’.

The name of the magazine does tell us a lot about what this whole look was about. More than just a ‘style’, Mission style decorating encompasses a whole lifestyle and belief system.

An Arts and Crafts home was a simple, wholesome home with values – an organic home which looked to nature for inspiration, and appreciated art and beauty with timeless, hand-crafted heirlooms.

If this sounds like something you would like for your home, read on for these simple guidelines to help you get the look on your modern home…

Walls and Color

• This is a simple, rustic look – so, if possible, go for a textured plaster or paint. An easy way to get a textured look is with suede-effect paint, a little builders’ sand mixed in with your paint (for quite a bumpy look) or a colorwash paint effect.
• Choose colors that all work together in harmony - so try choosing different tones of the same color, or similar colors (close together on the color wheel – click here for hints and tips on choosing colors with the interior design color wheel).
• Choose colors from nature - soft tans, browns, beiges, mossy greens, ochre yellows and reds. Go for soft, muted tones, rather than bright or fresh colors.
• Consider using creams, to create a really simple backdrop for your home – against which your beautiful, wooden, handcrafted furniture will stand out fantastically well.
• Wallpaper from this period features really beautiful designs and patterns inspired by nature (the famous examples are by the designer William Morris, and are still available quite widely).
• Wallpaper like this can give a real focal point to your room, but do use it quite sparingly, as the designs are quite busy, and can make your room seem very fussy, which goes against the whole idea of simplicity of Mission style decorating.
• With the emphasis on natural materials like wood, there really is little option other than to leave any woodwork (skirtings, door and window frames and doors) in the natural wood tones, perhaps with a simple wax or oiled finish.

Flooring

• Natural materials are a must for your Arts and Crafts flooring. Choose a natural wood flooring, or even slate, for the best effect.
• Of course, if you do choose a hard flooring, it is nice to warm it all up with a lovely, soft rug. Don’t choose anything too over the top – just think natural materials, craftsmanship and perhaps a design with foliage and flowers, to go with your Mission style decorating theme.

• Stained glass windows were very common for this Arts and Crafts style. It is natural to leave such beautiful windows uncovered, to appreciate the craftsmanship…
• If your windows (or view!) are not quite so beautiful, or if you want some privacy (completely understandable in this busy, modern world) still choose something simple for your window treatments. Wooden shutters or blinds are ideal, or Roman blinds, or simple, panel curtains on an iron or wooden rod.
• Choose plain, natural fabrics, like cotton or linen. If you do want a pattern, again use sparingly, and draw your inspiration from designs by William Morris.

• Your furniture should be simple, solid, hand-crafted wood. Oak is ideal, or other mid-toned woods such as cherry or walnut.
• Chairs usually have wooden backs and arms, while upholstery is often leather or natural fabrics such as cotton or linen.
• Stained glass ‘Tiffany’ lamps are an excellent choice for Mission style decorating. Or choose simple, straightforward lighting, in wood, wrought-iron, glass or ceramics.









• Accessories are not a huge part of this Arts and Crafts, Mission style decorating look – remember to keep it simple!
• Choose your accessories with an appreciation of art, craftsmanship and nature in mind. You could decorate your walls with wood carvings or hand-woven wall-hangings.
• For ornaments, choose quality, wooden mantle clocks, candles, pottery and anything created by hand, with care, love and attention.

Take a look on eBay for a quick and easy way to get the Mission look.

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This is actually a very easy look to create and get right in your home. Simplicity, nature, craftsmanship and beauty are the keys – you will end up with a Mission decorating style which is very refined, uncluttered and elegant – but warm, welcoming and evoking the values of a bygone age.

Are you ready to start your Mission style decorating project right away? Then look at my checklist of interior design tips to guide you through the processes interior designers use to get a professional finish.

Browse for more interior design themes and inspirations.

Look at more 19th Century interior design and other historical and period decorating styles.

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