History of Arts & Crafts and Mission Lighting

The Arts and Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement began around 1870 in Great Britain as a direct response to the Industrial Revolution. As factory-made goods replaced handmade craftsmanship, product quality declined and unfair labor practices became widespread — with no unions or labor protections to offer workers any recourse. The rigid class structure of Victorian society placed high value on the elite while exploiting those who actually made things.

The movement set out to change that. By restoring respect for handcrafted goods — furniture, lighting, textiles, and more — artisans believed they were producing superior products and fostering a meaningful connection between maker, material, and society. It was as much a social reform movement as an aesthetic one, advocating for a fairer world that honored the individual craftsman. For more, visit Encyclopedia Britannica.

Mission Lighting and the Mission Style Home

Mission Lighting was a defining design element of the Mission Style movement, which flourished from 1900 through the 1930s. Homes built during this era were defined by meticulous craftsmanship and a commitment to quality materials: hardwood floors, exposed beams, built-in cabinets, stained glass windows, solid wood doors, curved archways, tray ceilings, and plaster walls. Fixtures and hardware were held to equally high standards — stained glass, brass, and hardwoods like oak, cherry, ash, elm, and mahogany were the materials of choice.

Today, Mission Style is experiencing a genuine revival. Homeowners drawn to timeless design are restoring older Mission homes across the U.S., though original décor and antiques are increasingly scarce. That scarcity has given rise to a thriving industry in quality reproductions — Mission lighting, tiles, pottery, wallpaper, fabrics, glassware, and hardware crafted with the same care as the originals.

The terms Arts & Crafts Style, Craftsman Style, and Mission Style are often used interchangeably, as they all refer to homes and décor from roughly 1900 to the 1930s in America. Technically, Arts & Crafts was the original movement, born in Great Britain around 1870 — the American Craftsman and Mission styles grew from that same root.