Stickley Furniture: a Primer

We had a discussion in the comments over the weekend about Stickley Furniture, and not everyone was sure what it was that we were talking about, so I decided to do a post about it. It’s one of those things that you probably recognize now that you see it (in the photos above), but just didn’t know what it was called, right?

Gustav Stickley (1858–1942) was a furniture maker and architect who became the leading spokesperson for the American Craftsman movement. In 1901 he founded The Craftsman magazine, which argued that homes should be designed more “organically.” His philosophies influenced Frank Lloyd Wright, which is why you can imagine the furniture shown here belonging in one of Wright’s homes.

Stickley believed that:

• A house ought to be constructed in harmony with its landscape.
• Architects should use local materials whenever possible.
• Homes should have open floor plans to facilitate family interaction.
• Furniture should be built into a home.
• Lots of big windows (and natural light) were important in a home.

Stickley began making furniture in the mission oak style in the early 1900s, which was simple and plain, showcasing the warm tones of the wood (see photo of original “mission oak” dining room furniture at Mission San Juan Capistrano).

Stickley’s furniture was all handmade and crafted to be simple and useful. He primarily used native American oak and natural upholstery materials (canvas and leather). The wood was stained, never painted.

For more information:

• Watch a video about Stickley furniture.
• Go to the official Stickley website
• Read how to determine the value of antique Stickley
• Take a tour of a home Frank Lloyd Wright designed

If You’re Hooked on Architecture:

• Frank Lloyd Wright’s William P. Boswell House
• Matti Suuronen’s Mod Venturo House (Orange Bikini Not Included)
• Author and Architect Sarah Susanka Stopped By and Had a Few Things to Say
• Richard Neutra’s Famous Kaufmann House Sells for $19 Million at Auction
  
• Vera Wang’s Oceanfront Villa in Palm Beach, Designed by Addison Mizner
• Reese Witherspoon’s Country Home in Ojai, Designed by Wallace Neff

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