Inspired by Spanish mission churches built in the early 1600s, Mission Revival style architecture first appeared in California around 1885. It quickly spread around the American Southwest with railroad travelers. It was a splash of boldness with its large arched openings and whitewashed stucco walls. Quite the contrast to the home styles that had migrated west for the Gold Rush.
The Mission Revival Home
essential elements
Essential Style Elements
Mission Revival homes are typically two stories with smooth, usually white, stucco and low-pitched, red tile hip roofs. They often include gables with curvilinear parapet walls, open eaves with exposed brackets, and visor roofs below dormers or parapets. Prominent one-story porches with arched openings are common.
Quintessential Windows
Both double-hung and French casement windows are common in Mission Revival style homes. Occasionally both window types can be seen in the same house. When double-hung windows are used, grilles usually divide the upper sash into individual panes that are square or close to square.
Quintessential Doors
French doors are usually used to provide access to porches and verandas, creating a visual connection between the interior and exterior. Hardware is accentuated and usually appears to be hand forged.
style options
Colors & Finishes
Windows are frequently dark brown or another earthy color that contrasts with the usually white stucco walls. However, a variety of colors may be used for trim. While the window frame and trim are typically the same color, the sash is sometimes a different color. When a different color is used for the sash, it is typically a dark color.
Exterior Color Palette
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Coffee Bean -
Colony White -
Sandtone -
Mallard Green -
Slate -
Cinnamon Toast -
Black
Interior Wood Species
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Oak -
Pine -
Mixed Grain Douglas Fir -
Vertical Grain Douglas Fir
Interior Stain Colors
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Espresso -
Mocha -
Cinnamon -
Russet
Hardware Styles
Window hardware is typically made of iron and is almost always black or very dark in color in order to reflect the handmade appearance of early Mission style hardware. Door hardware is often similar to window hardware. It may have a handmade look and is generally black or very dark in color.
Double-Hung Hardware
French Casement Window Hardware
Newbury® Door Hardware
Hardware Finishes
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Black -
Oil Rubbed Bronze
Grille Patterns
The upper sash of Mission Revival style double-hung windows is typically divided into individual panes by grilles, while the lower sash has no grilles. The individual panes are usually square or close to square. Common arrangements are 9-over-1, 12-over-1 and 6-over-1.
12-over-1
9-over-1
6-over-1
Pattern Book
More On This Home Style
Pattern books from the Andersen Style Library present quintessential details of the most popular American architectural styles, with an emphasis on window and door design. The result of years of research, they exist to make it easier to create homes with architectural authenticity.
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