Romance of the Mission: Decorating in the Mission Style [SOLD]

No other American decorating or architectural style can claim as long or as rich a tradition as the Mission style. The first expressions of Spanish Mission architecture in New Mexico were painstakingly crafted in the 1600s under impossible conditions by Pueblo Indians with the design, engineering, and supervision of Franciscan friars.

The Mission style has been woven into the tapestry of American design ever since its humble beginnings and is currently experiencing renewed interest. It is a style especially suited to the 1990s. After the 1980s, decade of excess and glamour, many Americans are seeking the basics of sturdy, quality housing; refined design; and comfortable, durable home furnishings. The Mission style embodies these qualities and also fulfills another intangible longing for tradition and romance.

Because the Mission Revival style flourished in the late 1800s and coincided with the Arts and Crafts movement, the two styles are often confused. They are both styles that embrace simple and pure design, natural materials, and honest craftsmanship. The ideals and aesthetic of the Craftsman movement complemented the Mission tradition as it was being reinterpreted by architects, writers, and designers in the West. Still, western designers produced distinctive furniture, which incorporates oriental and Spanish elements, and it evolves with each passing decade.