Small Home Gazette, Fall 2019

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

by Tim Counts

Anyone who owns Arts & Crafts furniture knows the style has certain distinguishing features—natural materials and exposed construction elements, for example. Such furniture is also visually broad-based and firmly planted on the earth, giving it a gravitas that other styles lack.

But now, some furniture makers have swiveled 180 degrees away from the original principles of the Arts & Crafts movement.

I recently encountered the chair on the right in a home, which caused me to do a classic double take. I thought perhaps a homeowner with too much time on his hands had created this Frankenstein’s monster in his basement workshop.

Above: “Amish Mission Hoosier Glider Swivel Recliner Chair Solid Wood Leather.” Below: “Mission Arts and Crafts/Stickley Style/Spindle/Mission Swivel Glider.”

But I looked online and found that several companies intentionally manufacture them. For example, you can buy an “Amish Mission Hoosier Glider Swivel Recliner Chair” for $1,729 or a “Mission Swivel Glider” for $1,299.99.

There are some things humans have brought into this world that just shouldn’t be, like hairless cats and all-you-can-eat breadsticks at Olive Garden.

I’d add Morris swivel chairs to the list.