A Show-Stopping Piece for a Milestone Anniversary
Darcy Smith
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In 2025, everything we do at Stickley has taken on even greater meaning as we honor the company’s 125 years in business. The year has been filled with commemorative events and products, and we’ve placed a truly special showpiece at the heart of our celebrations: the 125th Anniversary Fireside Bench.
No ordinary piece of furniture would do for such an important anniversary. So our design team reached back in time for inspiration and found it in a 1902 Stickley Bros. high-backed settle, the kind that would often be positioned close to a fireplace to create a warm nook. It had just the presence they were looking for. “What I love about this design is the height,” said Director of Design Marissa Brown. “It has a grandness of scale and a lot of artistry, exactly what we were hoping for in a 125th anniversary statement piece.”
The team set about updating the bench while preserving its stunning details. Crafted of quartersawn white oak solids and veneers, it immediately draws the eye to its triptych-style back. Two of the three panels feature a tall floral inlay design, including delicate ribbon flourishes, in veneers of maple, anigre, walnut, and walnut burl, while the center has a row of small figures resembling a fleur-de-lis.
The bench’s floral inlay displaying sand-burned details
And if you think the inlay art appears more dimensional than most Mission designs, you’re right! “To recreate the rich style of the inlay, our artisans have used a special sand-burning technique to apply shadows and veining onto the wood veneer of the flowers and leaves, beautifully articulating all of those details,” said Marissa. Additional design elements—a top rail with egg-and-dart molding, shapely piercings and aprons, reverse-tapered front legs, and rounded cutouts beneath the arms—amplify the bench’s unique character.
Hidden storage with a soft-close lid
To adapt the Fireside Bench for today’s homes, the team replaced an upholstered cushion with a wooden bench seat that lifts to reveal a convenient storage space. It offers a handy space in an entryway, mudroom, or living room for hats and gloves, leashes, slippers, or puzzles and games. A spring-loaded safety support holds the lid open, and a soft-close hinge helps lower it gently to protect the bench and your fingers.
032 Onondaga 031 Centennial 054 Aurora
The 125th Anniversary Fireside Bench can be customized in any of our oak finishes, ensuring that it will integrate seamlessly with an existing collection of Mission furniture. It’s an exciting way to own a significant piece of L. & J.G. Stickley history, one that will become part of your family’s own story for many years to come.
Additional sources:
Marissa Brown, Director of Design
