How to Make Mission-Style Trim on Furniture

Straight, clean lines typify Mission-style furniture.

Gustav Stickley began designing Mission-style furniture around 1900. Simplistic, well-constructed furniture with clean, straight lines and medium- to dark-stained wood typifies Mission style. Fussy, ornamental trim and gaudy, glitzy hardware isn't a characteristic of Mission-design furniture. Adding minimal, simplistic trim to pieces of furniture reflects the Mission style, following the "less is better" concept.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Clean cloth
• Ceramic tiles
• Tile adhesive
• Level
• Leather
• Leather adhesive
• Furniture hardware

Instructions

1. Remove any ornamental trim and hardware from furniture with a screwdriver and hammer. Mission furniture is plain and simple without unnecessary ornamentation. This includes sculpted wood trim, knobs and handles.

2. Sand and smooth furniture areas where ornamental trim was removed. Use a fine-grit sandpaper and wipe furniture with a clean cloth to remove any sanding residue.

3. Apply precut tiles with ceramic adhesive, covering the area where ornamental trim was removed. For furniture that didn't have ornamental trim removed, apply tiles to a table edge or around the bottom perimeter of a cabinet, dresser or chest of drawers. Use a level to make sure your tile line is straight. Choose earthy-colored tiles with little or no design to reflect the simplicity exhibited by the Mission style.

4. Trim the edge of an accent table around its outer perimeter with a precut piece of leather. Bond the leather trim to the table's edge with leather adhesive, following the adhesive manufacturer's instructions for application.

5. Attach simple iron or copper hardware to cabinets or drawers. Avoid shiny copper or iron knobs, handles or hinges. Hammered copper and iron with a matte finish complements the simplicity of Mission-style furniture.

Tips & Warnings

• Open a window or door for fresh air ventilation when applying wood or leather adhesives.

References

• The Arts and Crafts Society: Mission Style Design for the Bungalow
• Gustav Stickley: Mission Style Furniture
• Stickley: Mission Collection