There are some pieces of Amish furniture that have always reminded me of Frank Lloyd Wright. I never understood why, until I decided to write this blog and delve into the reasons. Not all Amish furniture reminds me of the notorious architectural icon, but sometimes I will come across a particular piece, and think to myself, “that’s so Frank Lloyd Wright.” More specifically, Mission Style furniture with its simple lines and many slats, and even some Amish furniture with decorative inlays – these are the pieces that have always reminded me of the famous American 20th Century designer and architect.
Upon researching my conundrum, I discovered that there are a lot of good reasons why Frank Lloyd Wright and certain kinds of Amish furniture are of the same likeness to me. Let’s start with the obvious. Frank Lloyd Wright was actually a major designer of Mission Style furniture. A little embarrassing for me to admit that I had missed that one, but it’s true. However, the reasons and the whys that underlie his Mission designs are a bit more interesting.
During the late part of the 19th Century, and beginning of the 20th Century, some people were becoming dismayed with the industrialization of goods. Things, such as solid wood furniture which were once handmade by individual craftsmen, were now being mass-produced on a large scale. The discontentment with the Industrial Revolution helped to spawn the Arts & Crafts movement, of which Frank Lloyd Wright, along with Gustav Stickley, was a pioneer. The Arts & Crafts movement represented the principles of simplicity, craftsmanship, and functionality – much like the principles of Amish furniture. It was a movement that aimed to preserve the priceless value of individually-crafted, well-made goods. Lloyd Wright and Stickley were two of the biggest Mission Style artisans and proponents to emerge from the Arts & Crafts era.
And then there is the Prairie Style of architecture and design, which Frank Lloyd Wright originated. This style of architecture also emerged in the early 20th Century. Lloyd Wright used low, horizontal lines in his architectural Prairie Style designs. These lines were reminiscent of the Midwestern Plains of Illinois and Wisconsin where he lived. I think this is another reason why I associate Frank Lloyd Wright with Amish furniture. Many Amish furniture pieces also echo images of the Midwestern Plains in their design. Yet another connection between the architect and Amish furniture.
Beyond these cerebral reasons, however, I just have to accept the aesthetic appeal that Wright’s design hallmarks share with Amish Mission Style furniture. The minimalism. The linearity. The simple use of lines that is so particular to the famous architect that when you see anything that resembles it – you can’t help but think of him. I’m glad I understand better now why I have always drawn a comparison between the two, but at the end of the day, what is really important is what you feel after looking at a fine piece of design craftsmanship, rather than having to completely understand the whys.
