Business Details
38 Years
experience
Custom Handcrafted Furniture in Manchester
At Manchester Mission Furniture, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting exceptional custom furniture since 1988. Our founder, Bruce Sawyer, brings decades of expertise in creating handcrafted pieces that emphasize the natural beauty of wood through traditional Arts and Crafts (Mission style) design principles. We specialize in using premium materials like quartersawn white oak and cherry, employing mortise and tenon joinery for durability while enhancing aesthetic appeal. Each piece undergoes a unique fuming process with ammonia to develop rich patina, followed by hand-rubbed oil finishes and protective wax coatings. Our commitment to quality ensures every client receives furniture tailored to their specific needs, whether through original designs or time-tested reproductions.We prioritize craftsmanship over mass production, focusing on simple yet elegant lines that highlight the wood's inherent character. Our process includes meticulous wood selection for consistent grain patterns and personalized attention to detail throughout construction and finishing. With over 35 years of experience, we combine time-honored techniques with modern precision to deliver heirloom-quality furniture. Our dedication to transparency means clients receive clear communication about materials, methods, and care requirements. From initial consultation to final delivery, we strive to exceed expectations through uncompromising quality and service.
Services
Custom Furniture Design
Mission Style Reproductions
Arts and Crafts Furniture
Wood Selection Services
Traditional Finishing Techniques
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in custom furniture craftsmanship
- Our pieces use traditional mortise and tenon joinery for superior durability
- We specialize in ammonia-fumed white oak finishing techniques
- Each piece receives personalized attention from design to completion
- We combine Arts and Crafts principles with modern precision
Services
Custom Furniture Design
We create one-of-a-kind furniture pieces tailored to client specifications. Our process begins with design consultation, followed by material selection from premium quartersawn white oak or cherry. Each custom creation utilizes traditional joinery techniques to ensure lasting durability while maintaining aesthetic integrity through simple, elegant lines.
Mission Style Reproductions
Specializing in authentic reproductions of classic Mission style furniture. We maintain historical accuracy through careful study of original designs while incorporating modern improvements. Our reproduction process preserves the signature clean lines and structural integrity that define this enduring style, using period-appropriate materials and construction methods.
Traditional Finishing Techniques
We employ time-tested finishing methods including ammonia fuming to develop rich patina in white oak. This chemical reaction with wood tannins creates unique coloration that cannot be replicated through staining. Each piece receives multiple hand-rubbed oil coats and protective wax layers to enhance natural grain patterns while ensuring long-term durability.
Wood Selection Services
Our wood selection process focuses on quartersawn white oak and cherry with consistent grain patterns. We carefully inspect each board for ray fleck characteristics in oak and color uniformity in cherry. This meticulous selection ensures visual harmony across all furniture components while maintaining structural integrity through proper grain orientation.
Joinery Construction
We utilize mortise and tenon joinery for maximum strength and longevity. Through-tenon construction adds visual interest while maintaining structural integrity. Our craftsmen pay special attention to joint fitment and glue surfaces to create connections that withstand generations of use while preserving the clean, unadorned aesthetic central to Mission design principles.
People
Bruce Sawyer
Owner & Master Craftsman
Bruce Sawyer has been crafting custom furniture since 1988, specializing in Arts and Crafts style pieces. His expertise in traditional joinery and finishing techniques ensures each creation combines functionality with enduring beauty. Bruce personally oversees every project from design to completion.
Questions
What types of furniture do you specialize in?
We specialize in custom Arts and Crafts (Mission style) furniture using traditional techniques and premium materials like quartersawn white oak and cherry.
What makes your furniture unique?
Our furniture features ammonia-fumed finishes that create natural patina, mortise and tenon joinery for durability, and careful wood selection for consistent grain patterns.
Can you create custom designs?
Yes, we offer full custom design services where we collaborate with clients to create unique furniture pieces tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
How do you finish your furniture?
We use a traditional ammonia fuming process to enhance wood color, followed by hand-rubbed oil finishes and protective wax coatings for lasting beauty.
What wood types do you work with?
Our primary materials are quartersawn white oak and cherry, though we can accommodate other wood types upon request while maintaining our quality standards.
How should I care for my furniture?
Apply quality paste wax 1-3 times annually, using thin coats and buffing to maintain the finish. Avoid harsh chemicals and direct sunlight to preserve the wood's natural beauty.
