Sourcebook: Midcentury Modern Style
Love the streamlined shapes and retro appeal of midcentury furniture and accessories? Here's where to find them
Midcentury modern has become an iconic style with timeless appeal. It mixes so well with other styles that I think every room could use one midcentury modern piece. While furniture from the 1950s and 1960s remains the most recognizable, you can get the look with accessories in the Danish or atomic style at the local vintage shop for less than $100. These suggestions will help you get started.
Related: So Your Style Is: Midcentury Modern
Related: So Your Style Is: Midcentury Modern
Midcentury modern style is great on its own or mixed in with more contemporary pieces. Here the furniture is classic midcentury, the room is open, and the designer skipped the kitschy accessories to keep the look from feeling dated.
Midcentury Sofa
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
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
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman | DWR
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.
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.
Eames Time Life Chair
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.
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.
Atomic Living Design - Sinatra Bar
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.
Sources:
• Find this at Horne.
• CB2 has modern pieces with atomic influences.
Midcentury Lamps, Royal Haeger, Retrosymphony
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.
Sources:
• Browse midcentury-style lighting on Houzz
• Noguchi has paper lamps.
• I love some of the low-cost metal options at Ikea.
Midcentury Silver Rim Barware Set, Cheeky Chic Vintage
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.
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.
Books:
Atomic Ranch Midcentury Interiors, by Michelle Gringerie-Brown
Charles and Ray Eames, by Gloria Koenig
More inspiration on midcentury-modern style:
Add a Little Midcentury Modern to Your Mix
Guest Picks: Colorful Midcentury Modern
Modern Icons: Eero Saarinen's Executive Chair
Tell us: Is your home decorated in midcentury modern style? Share pictures below!
Atomic Ranch Midcentury Interiors, by Michelle Gringerie-Brown
Charles and Ray Eames, by Gloria Koenig
More inspiration on midcentury-modern style:
Add a Little Midcentury Modern to Your Mix
Guest Picks: Colorful Midcentury Modern
Modern Icons: Eero Saarinen's Executive Chair
Tell us: Is your home decorated in midcentury modern style? Share pictures below!