Dedicated to Outdoor living

For those out of the furniture loop, a mission glider is not some sort of military intelligence stealth plane. In fact, that could not be further from the truth. The mission glider is actually an indoor or outdoor piece of furniture with specialized features and designed with a certain style in mind. So what is mission style and how does a glider differ from a rocker? Plus, where would you want to put such a piece of furniture?

The Mission

The mission (if you choose to accept it) is referring to the mission style revival, a school of design in American furniture making. The mission style began in the early twentieth century and drew inspiration from the Spanish missions of the 1800s in California. The edifices themselves were extremely basic and functional. With limited building material, settlers used adobe brick and plaster stucco. The revival style took this basic form and recreated it, exchanging functionality for aesthetic value in commercial and residential structures. It also applied to furniture, and it was Joseph McHugh who first coined the term “mission style” and started manufacturing furniture looking at an original chair. For both building and furniture, mission style is sparse and simple in look, but the rustic feeling holds a unique charm and intrinsically long-lasting nature. In furniture, most of it is made from wood, wherein the pieces are skillfully placed together in straight lines and block forms.

The Glider

The glider part of the mission glider is similar to a rocking chair, but whereas a rocking chair rocks, a glider does just what it implies: it glides. Also known as a platform rocker, this swing seat consists of a frame in which the seat or bench is attached to the base via a double-rocker four bar linkage. The metal hardware and hinges allow the device to operate on non-parallel suspensions arms of the linkage. The resulting motion is a back and forth swaying. The earliest patent for this type of seat design appeared in 1939, and so has been perfected over the last 70 years. Most gliders are made from wood, and different species of tree have various qualities as lumber. Some woods, like teak or cedar, are naturally stronger and so they are ideal for use outdoors. Other softer woods, wicker, etc. are more delicate in nature and so will not survive outdoors, but look charming inside a sunroom or den. Many gliders, especially those for indoors, come with attached or matching cushions, which provide added comfort and support. The vast majority of outdoor furniture retailers have tapped into the sale of gliders as part of their wares, though many do not carry the mission glider specifically. However, the two brands that claim top ranking for North American sales are Dutailier and Shermag, both Canadian.

The Place

Deciding you want a mission glider is the first step; determining just where to put it is the next. As mentioned, a glider can be used indoors and out, though the frame and cushion material will most likely dictate where best to keep it. Outside, a glider can be places like a backyard, deck, patio, or covered porch. Direct exposure to rain, sun, snow and more is hard on any wood, so regular maintenance is key, but some woods are better protected against the elements than others.

Also, outdoor gliders require waterproof cushions, usually also made from a durable tear-proof material. For inside your home, a mission glider can go just about anywhere. The bedroom and living room are two common choices (the bathroom, not so much). The nice thing about gliders above rockers is that with gliders, no part of the base ever leaves the floor, so children and pets won’t get pinched beneath one of the rockers. In addition to the usual relaxing qualities, a glider is recommended for pregnant women and new mother. Used in the nursery, it relaxes the mother, soothes the infant, reduces the appearance of varicose veins, and supposedly also has some developmental benefits for babies as well.

Valencia Resin Wicker/ Steel Frame Double Glider Chair $274.99 The Valencia resin wicker and steel frame double glider is a comfortable and stylish addition to any outdoor setting and fits two adults. The steel frame is complemented with flat-woven resin wicker.