Mastering Mid-Century Modern Design Techniques at Home
Clean lines and anchor elements like the marshmallow sofa, Eames lounge chairs and asymmetrical wall mirrors are key
Clean lines, simplicity, form and function—those are the building blocks of Mid-Century Modern design.
Anchored by statement-making pieces like the Eames lounge chairs and George Nelson Marshmallow sofa, Mid-Century Modern design is defined by architecture, furniture and graphic design from the middle of the 20th century, though some interior designers say the heyday of the period was actually between 1947 to 1957.
“It brings in a contemporary take on luxury, where the emphasis is on pared-back elegant shapes and forms,” said Tara Bernerd, founder of London-based Tara Bernerd & Partners. “Exquisite craftsmanship is key to its appeal and this is paired with contemporary fabrics, which bring a real sense of understated opulence.”
An homage to the era spanning between the 1930s and 1960s, Mid-Century Modern design is rooted in affordability and practicality in the aftermath of World War II with influences of minimalism sparked by Scandinavian design, Decorilla.com notes. Think decorative motifs, marble countertops, wooden floors and leaving materials as they are in all their simplicity with the idea that function dictates the style with flat and geometric shaped furniture.
The modernist movement spawned from the Industrial Revolution and got its influence from interior design and architect geniuses such as George Katsutoshi Nakashima, known for his natural, oversized wood tables made from single slabs with natural edges joined together. Another standout artist of the period is Isamu Noguchi, a landscape architect known for his signature accent tables that comprise a curved wood sculpture-like base with a freeform glass top. And, of course, Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer known for the now ubiquitous, gravity-defying pedestal tables and chairs for some of the most recognized Knoll-branded furniture between the late 1940s and through the 1950s. His wildly popular Tulip Table, dating back to the late 1950s, made in round and oval iterations, continues to be sold among mainstream furniture makers from Ikea to West Elm.
Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, co-founder of the design marketplace The Invisible Collection, says new trends in the timeless Mid-Century Modern design style, including an affinity for curvy furniture, materials with luxurious details and elaborate lines, and statement-making sofas as the ultimate style signifier—whether it's in a textured boucle fabric or a more modular iteration.
“Heirloom quality, aesthetic and comfort are imperative—hence the lasting influence of mid-century,” Ms. Dubern-Mallevays said.
Here are three ways to incorporate Mid-Century Modern design into your own abode.
Select Anchor Furniture Pieces That Exemplify the Design Period
The key to mastering Mid-Century Modern design in your home is balance, Ms. Bernerd said.
Start small with a few statement-making design touches that will embody the modernist look without overwhelming the space.
“Choose one or two key pieces, whether it be a sofa, or credenza, or your dining chairs and a floor lamp, so that the whole space looks layered and above all considered,” Ms. Bernerd said.
Depending on the space you’re styling, you could start small with a pair of Barcelona chairs in a colored leather tailored to your liking, opt for a tubular, square build armchair or perhaps a pair of Cesca chairs, made of a bent steel material that can come upholstered or finished simply with wood or cane for the living room or dining space.
Or consider one striking style with a Mid-Century Modern sofa. Among the most popular style include a traditional sectional, a chesterfield model, known for its tufted backrests and quilted aesthetic; or a cabriole sofa, a type of upholstered sofa that features a back that curves in a smooth line into the arms.
Bring it together with a little greenery, Ms. Bernerd said.
“For smaller spaces, use potted plants in a gorgeous plant pot. Ask your local garden center or florist for advice as to which plants will work best in your room,” she said.
Photo: Trevor Tondro
Go Bold With a Statement Piece
Consider art and accessories to punctuate your Mid-Century Modern redesign. Some recent trends in this design style include an asymmetrical wall mirror, overarching floor lamps and geometric rugs. Or you could go boldly traditional with the iconic Marshmallow sofa, or a prominent piece of pop art with a nod to the 1960s.
“Art is the essential final layer for all our projects. It brings your home to life with a statement piece that reflects both the character of your room as well as yourself,” Ms. Bernerd said. “If in doubt, choose one or two great pieces, so that they complement the room without dominating the space.”
Photo: Rich Stapleton
Get Modern in the Kitchen
Keep up with the overall aesthetic of clean lines in your kitchen too, by replacing curved cabinets with simple plain, flat wooden ones. Replace hardware with stainless steel and upgrade your countertop with marble of a clean and sophisticated finish, suggests Marissa Geoffroy, creative director of Sherle Wagner International, a New York City-based design company specializing in door and cabinet hardware, bathrooms and wallpaper. This will also give off a more airy, uncluttered effect, she said.
“Fittings and dooring cabinet hardware are a great direction to go. With almost any piece of furniture you have you can switch out the hardware, it’s pretty simple,” Ms. Geoffroy said.
Photo: Roam in Color / Unsplash
Brighten up the Space Using Wallpaper With Prints
While many Mid-Century Modern homes typically use shades of white as a canvas color for homes to keep the vibe airy, light and bright, experimenting with wallpaper in a room or on a statement wall can add some fun to your living space.
Consider the dining room for a graphic print or geometric pattern. Farrow & Ball’s Amime wallpaper, for example, features a woven design to breathe movement into your walls. Curvy shapes and patterns with multi-colored pastel hues are another way to liven up your home office or just on one statement wall in a living room. Or, you can opt for a more retro geometric motif, Ms. Geoffroy suggested.
Photo: Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels
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