So Your Style Is: Midcentury Modern
This singular design style blends arresting shapes, graphic patterns and quirky accents. Here's how to make it yours
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
What it is: Midcentury modern style reappeared on our radar screens more than a decade ago, but the wildly popular show Mad Men has pushed it even farther into the limelight. Just as the name implies, it spanned a period of roughly two and a half decades in the middle of the 20th century, from the mid-1940s to 1970. Its uncomplicated, fresh aesthetic arose from a desire to propel postwar America into the modern era and recast design through a bold new lens.
Why it works: Midcentury modern's emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns, natural materials and a seamless flow between indoors and out create a medley of functional comfort and chic style. The look bridges the organic and the man-made, with one foot in the natural world and the other in brave new territory that still has the power to surprise us today.
You'll love it if: You miss your childhood home's conversation pit. You're impatient with people who take forever to get to the point. The old masters make you yawn — for you, it's modern art all the way. You watch Pulp Fiction just to hear that Dick Dale–heavy soundtrack. You schedule Sunday nights around — what else? — Mad Men.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Arts & Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Old World | Cottage
French Country | Art Deco | Transitional | Contemporary | Industrial | Eclectic
Coastal | Preppy
Why it works: Midcentury modern's emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns, natural materials and a seamless flow between indoors and out create a medley of functional comfort and chic style. The look bridges the organic and the man-made, with one foot in the natural world and the other in brave new territory that still has the power to surprise us today.
You'll love it if: You miss your childhood home's conversation pit. You're impatient with people who take forever to get to the point. The old masters make you yawn — for you, it's modern art all the way. You watch Pulp Fiction just to hear that Dick Dale–heavy soundtrack. You schedule Sunday nights around — what else? — Mad Men.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Arts & Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Old World | Cottage
French Country | Art Deco | Transitional | Contemporary | Industrial | Eclectic
Coastal | Preppy
by Johnson Berman
»
Style Secret: Indoor-Outdoor Flow
It may sound quaint now, but back in the '50s, the idea of indoor-outdoor living was revolutionary for the average American. Midcentury modern homes took advantage of the new passion for bringing the indoors out and vice versa: wide windows, sliding doors, patios. The idea was to create a connection with the natural world that worked equally well with a book in your lap during a quiet moment or a cocktail in your hand at a party.
Make it yours: If you have the means, space and ambition to knock out a wall or install a giant plate-glass window, don't hold back. But you can still create an indoor-outdoor aesthetic without major demolition. Leave windows bare so as not to obscure the view or consider installing skylights. Or, at the very least, choose wallpaper and other accents with a natural motif.
It may sound quaint now, but back in the '50s, the idea of indoor-outdoor living was revolutionary for the average American. Midcentury modern homes took advantage of the new passion for bringing the indoors out and vice versa: wide windows, sliding doors, patios. The idea was to create a connection with the natural world that worked equally well with a book in your lap during a quiet moment or a cocktail in your hand at a party.
Make it yours: If you have the means, space and ambition to knock out a wall or install a giant plate-glass window, don't hold back. But you can still create an indoor-outdoor aesthetic without major demolition. Leave windows bare so as not to obscure the view or consider installing skylights. Or, at the very least, choose wallpaper and other accents with a natural motif.
Style Secret: Iconic Furnishings
Midcentury style is unique in that it's largely driven by innovative mass-produced furniture and accents. Perhaps no other period produced the same volume of household-name artists and designers as this era: George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and dozens more. Their singular furnishings and accents drive and define the look, from Marshmallow sofas to sculptural Egg and Womb chairs.
Make it yours: These prizes come at a price, but you can find knockoffs and reinterpretations that will give you the look, if not the pedigree. Or invest in one authentic signature piece to anchor the space, then layer it with others that complement the look but aren't necessarily true to the period.
Midcentury style is unique in that it's largely driven by innovative mass-produced furniture and accents. Perhaps no other period produced the same volume of household-name artists and designers as this era: George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and dozens more. Their singular furnishings and accents drive and define the look, from Marshmallow sofas to sculptural Egg and Womb chairs.
Make it yours: These prizes come at a price, but you can find knockoffs and reinterpretations that will give you the look, if not the pedigree. Or invest in one authentic signature piece to anchor the space, then layer it with others that complement the look but aren't necessarily true to the period.
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| Style Secret: Simple Lines, Pure Forms Midcentury interiors are all about organic style and ease of living, and that's reflected in their structure and trappings. Furnishings and floor plans are stripped down to their essential forms, with no excess detailing or unnecessary flourishes. Make it yours: Put furnishings and objects with striking form on display by making them them centerpieces of an otherwise simple room. These George Nelson Coconut chairs create a quietly stunning focal point, offset by the pop-art wall they face. |
Style Secret: Graphic Patterns
There's nothing shy about midcentury modern patterns. Bold geometrics, strong, sensuous curves and whimsical motifs give rooms a strong graphic punch. Heavy, textural fabrics, such as burlap or nubbly wool knits, give the patterns added weight.
Make it yours: Want the real deal? Many of the fabric-compamy stalwarts of the midcentury era, such as Maharam, Marimekko and Knoll, still produce classic patterns, or at least new takes on them. Or search for reclaimed midcentury fabrics online.
There's nothing shy about midcentury modern patterns. Bold geometrics, strong, sensuous curves and whimsical motifs give rooms a strong graphic punch. Heavy, textural fabrics, such as burlap or nubbly wool knits, give the patterns added weight.
Make it yours: Want the real deal? Many of the fabric-compamy stalwarts of the midcentury era, such as Maharam, Marimekko and Knoll, still produce classic patterns, or at least new takes on them. Or search for reclaimed midcentury fabrics online.
Style Secret: Statement Lighting
Sputnik chandeliers, Bubble lights, Arco floor lamps — classic midcentury lighting pumps up a room's drama. Although its forms are sculptural enough to double as art, function remains paramount. Yet lighting fixtures from this era are so striking that they've become design motifs all their own; the wallpaper in this dining area even features the PH Artichoke light.
Make it yours: These fixtures are so powerful that it's best to let them have the spotlight — don't force them to compete with each other in a single space. Three or four in one room is like adding too much vermouth to your martini.
Sputnik chandeliers, Bubble lights, Arco floor lamps — classic midcentury lighting pumps up a room's drama. Although its forms are sculptural enough to double as art, function remains paramount. Yet lighting fixtures from this era are so striking that they've become design motifs all their own; the wallpaper in this dining area even features the PH Artichoke light.
Make it yours: These fixtures are so powerful that it's best to let them have the spotlight — don't force them to compete with each other in a single space. Three or four in one room is like adding too much vermouth to your martini.
by Design By Lisa
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Style Secret: Sleek Kitchens
Midcentury kitchens were intended to represent the wave of the future. Full of showy, shiny new appliances, bright colors and space-age surfaces, they're designed to look streamlined and cutting edge — at least for their time. Simplicity rules: slab cabinet doors, plain countertop edges, no-fuss materials.
Make it yours: Even if your kitchen looks like it came from a Tuscan villa, you can give it a midcentury spin without too much difficulty. Remove paneled cabinet doors and install frameless models, dress the floors with cork or linoleum, or choose a brightly patterned laminate and colorful backsplash tiles.
Midcentury kitchens were intended to represent the wave of the future. Full of showy, shiny new appliances, bright colors and space-age surfaces, they're designed to look streamlined and cutting edge — at least for their time. Simplicity rules: slab cabinet doors, plain countertop edges, no-fuss materials.
Make it yours: Even if your kitchen looks like it came from a Tuscan villa, you can give it a midcentury spin without too much difficulty. Remove paneled cabinet doors and install frameless models, dress the floors with cork or linoleum, or choose a brightly patterned laminate and colorful backsplash tiles.
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| Style Secret: Period Art and Accents We know — that's a pretty broad umbrella. But the midcentury days were so rich with innovative and talented artists, from Hockney and Pollock to Calder and Lichtenstein, that you really have a lot of latitude. Their work reflected bold new territory in the art world, and it complements this groundbreaking style perfectly. Finish the room with classic midcentury accessories, such as an Eames Hang-It-All or a George Nelson clock. Make it yours: If you happen to be sitting on a Warhol original, go pat yourself on the back and gloat. The other 99 percent of us can look for reproduction prints or browse sites such as Etsy and 20x200 for works that reflect the style of midcentury masters. Museum shops, both in person and online, are terrific sources for affordable art inspired by the greats. |
by Amy Lau Design
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Style Secret: Neutrals Paired With Brights
Warm and earthy colors, largely through the natural woods that predominate, are central to the midcentury palette. Yet it wouldn't do for this look to come across as too quiet, and a few strokes of rich, saturated color give it strength and presence. You'll probably want to skip the blushing pinks and pale lilacs, but the choice of saturated colors spans the spectrum.
Make it yours: The best thing about midcentury colors: There aren't a lot of rules. Want to pair persimmon and plum? Go for it. Or bring in rich teal, avocado, oxblood red, gold or all of the above — unexpected color combos suit this style.
More:
A Warm Take on Midcentury Modern
Add a Little Midcentury Modern to Your Mix
Hope for the Future: Lessons From Midcentury Modern Design
Warm and earthy colors, largely through the natural woods that predominate, are central to the midcentury palette. Yet it wouldn't do for this look to come across as too quiet, and a few strokes of rich, saturated color give it strength and presence. You'll probably want to skip the blushing pinks and pale lilacs, but the choice of saturated colors spans the spectrum.
Make it yours: The best thing about midcentury colors: There aren't a lot of rules. Want to pair persimmon and plum? Go for it. Or bring in rich teal, avocado, oxblood red, gold or all of the above — unexpected color combos suit this style.
More:
A Warm Take on Midcentury Modern
Add a Little Midcentury Modern to Your Mix
Hope for the Future: Lessons From Midcentury Modern Design
Ideabook updated on May 1, 2012.
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This ideabook is great! I really think you nailed all the key points to true Midcentury Design. I love how you mentioned the Indoor-Outdoor Flow reminiscent of Philip Johnson and his magical Glass House.
I also think iconic furniture is another key concept. It would not be a true Midcentury home without a little taste of Mies Van Der Rohe or Ray Eames!
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Jill@DWR