The Stickley Furniture story began with three words: Als Ik Kan—”to the best of my ability.” This old Flemish furniture craftsman’s phrase has been the guiding principle of Stickley Furniture. Gustav Stickley marked his furniture with the phrase to assure customers that Stickley furniture was of the finest quality, every piece made with honor, integrity, and pride.

The Stickley Furniture brothers burst into international prominence in the early 20th century with their Stickley Mission Oak designs. These furniture designs were based on the notion that furniture should be “honest”—a reaction against the fake joinery, unnecessary gaudiness, and shoddy furniture workmanship of many of the pieces created in the early days of industrial furniture making.