Sourcebook: Midcentury Modern Style

Leg shape is an important detail when identifying midcentury-style furniture — on wooden pieces the legs are often small and have an elongated cone shape.

Most furniture edges will have a softness rather than a 90-degree angle. By looking for details like these, you can find less expensive pieces that evoke the midcentury modern style.

Sources:
• Urban Outfitters has the sofa shown and other affordable midcentury-style furniture.
• Danish Design Store offers many beautiful wood pieces.
• Scandinavian Modern

Of course, if your budget allows, you can still buy the original iconic pieces new, like this Eames recliner. If you want your piece to have a little history, search on Craigslist or eBay for designers like Eames, Nelson, Mies van der Rohe or Saarinen, or just try "Mad Men style."

Sources:
• Find the Eames recliner shown and other iconic midcentury modern designs at Design Within Reach.
• Room & Board
• Hive has tulip tables and other iconic designs.

Office furniture was in its prime during the mid-20th century, and you can still find original pieces by Nelson and Eames via Herman Miller. Since many of the designs were created to be mass produced, you'll spend about the same as you would on a new high-tech office chair or desk but get a whole lot more style. Prices vary, of course, based on condition and rarity. Upholstered pieces like this one can be a little more.

Sources:
• Find original Eames and other one-of-a-kind vintage pieces at 1stdibs.
• Herman Miller Store
• Design Within Reach has Nelson desks and much more.

Of course, you can't miss the "modern" part of "midcentury modern," because the style is greatly influenced by the atomic age and space exploration. Atomic pieces will often feel a little more kitschy and evoke star or rocket shapes, like this bar.


Sources:
• Find this at Horne.
• CB2 has modern pieces with atomic influences.

For just a dose of midcentury style, you can't beat the lighting. Buy vintage (on Etsy or at your local vintage shop) and you'll save some money. (If rewiring is needed, you can pick up an inexpensive DIY kit at the hardware store.) But there are great reproduction options as well.


Sources:
• Browse midcentury-style lighting on Houzz
• Noguchi has paper lamps.
• I love some of the low-cost metal options at Ikea.

If you're a fan of Mad Men or other period shows or movies, you'll know that the clink of ice in the glass is ubiquitous to midcentury style. Make sure your bar cart is stocked and ready to serve with a handsome set of barware.

Sources:
• Browse barware on Houzz
• Search Etsy and Craigslist using the terms "mad men," "tumblers," "highball," "bar set" and "drinkware."
• For unique and artistic glasses, I like the options at MoMA.