Mission Furniture: How to Make It, Part 1

This 1909 handbook captures a moment when American furniture makers were reimagining domestic craft. Mission furniture, with its clean lines, exposed joinery, and honest use of materials, defined the Arts and Crafts movement's response to mass production, and this book shows you exactly how to build it. Nearly 100 projects await, from a Morris chair and roll-top desk to a mission shaving stand and foot warmer, each rendered with measured drawings and clear instructions. But this isn't merely historical curiosity. The techniques remain vital: staining oak to achieve that characteristic warm grain, cutting precise tenons, bending wood for curved elements, marking dowel holes with accuracy. Whether you're restoring an original Stickley piece or building your first craftsman-style table, Windsor provides the blueprint. The book speaks to amateurs and experienced woodworkers alike, with projects ranging from challenging (the extension dining table) to achievable (the wall shelf). A century later, the manual retains its authority as both practical guide and artifact of amaker tradition that continues to inspire.