Over and over again we have heard that Midcentury Modern is on its way out. And yet … “Mid-century modern is not even a trend anymore — it’s the dominant aesthetic,’’ says architecture and design specialist Brad Dunning, curator of The Palm Springs Art Museum’s current exhibition The Modern Chair. The choice of MCM design, the interior design and architecture of the mid-1940s through the late 1960s, has remained strong since a resurgence around 1998.
A Little History of Midcentury Modern
The Post-War Years
Midcentury Modern was both born of and a reaction to the years before and during WWII. The years following the depression leading up to the war were lean for most Americans. Rationing and shortages were standard during the war. Factories were repurposed from manufacturing goods for consumers to goods for the war.
Post-war America saw an explosion of marriages and babies, necessitating more housing. Houses and apartments were small. Many new technologies and materials were discovered and developed during the war. Affordable high-quality furniture could be massed produced. Construction and manufacturing jobs ushered in a new prosperity.
1950s Midcentury Modern
Along with the wave of prosperity and optimism came a growing interest and excitement about the space race and science. Coupled with the new technologies in production and materials, interior design turned new corners.
The Iconic 1950s Kitchen
Kitchens are probably the most notably iconic room of the 1950s. Metal kitchen cabinets in mint green, pink or blue with Formica countertops, kitchen tables with Formica tops and vinyl covered chairs made of tubular steel, red and white checked curtains and linens bedecked with cherries and black and white checkerboard tile floors were the epitome of 1950 kitchens. Refrigerators and stoves were often colored to match the cabinets. Clean and modern were the watchwords of the day.
Midcentury Modern Furniture Design
Midcentury Modern furniture design was the antithesis of the fussy and formal furniture of previous years. People were optimistic and eager to put the war behind them. The modern lifestyle embraced casual living and entertaining. Form following function, a principle arising in the Bauhaus Movement, was the prevailing theme. Pieces were scaled to the smaller footprints of homes and were often multipurpose, which worked well in more open floorplans. Functionality was paramount. Curves, clean lines, and tapered legs were key features. Wood was prevalent in furniture and wood paneling came into fashion. Teak is most associated with the time for furniture, although oak and even plywood was popular. A theme associated with Midcentury Modern was using simple mundane materials such as plywood and elevating them through the treatment. Plywood could be bent into curvilinear shapes for seating, and was frequently used for paneling, cabinets, and shelves. All were simply treated with a light stain and clear coat to enhance the simple beauty of the wood.
Embracing New Materials
Fiberglass, plexiglass, and plastic were popular materials because of their low cost and ability to embrace the colors and forms found in midcentury design.
Shapes were organic – the boomerang or amoeba shape appeared in furniture design and finishes. The boomerang coffee table appeared in all manner of materials. The shape could be found in the Formica counter and table tops and on upholstery and drapery fabrics.
Accessories and fabric designs also favored shapes inspired by aeronautics and the space race. Starburst clocks and light fixtures created of metal rods and orbs of various materials in an “atomic” design graced walls and ceilings.
Midcentury Modern Color
Bold color was a common feature of walls, furnishings, and accessories. Orange, teal, and chartreuse were often paired with neutral finishes. Pastels are not often thought of as bold, but baby blue, mint green and blush pink have a fresh look when paired with black and white. As midcentury design evolved through the 1950 into the 1960s, use of color evolved with it. Nature’s earth tones created a palette punctuated with rusty orange, olive green or mellow yellow gold.
The Faces of Midcentury Modern
The story of midcentury modern is much more layered and complex than this overview may suggest. There are sub-genres under the umbrella title, shepherded by architects and designers who were captivated by the directions architecture and design were taking. Each had a unique approach to their individual design statements, some influenced by Scandinavian or Eastern culture.
If you are an ardent follower or collector of all things Midcentury Modern, these iconic names may be familiar, but even if you aren’t you probably recognize the pieces they are associated with: Charles and Ray Eames’ lounge chair with ottoman and the molded fiberglass chairs in the iconic colors of orange, turquoise or yellow; Isamu Noguchi’s sculptural wood base glass-topped coffee tables and lights; Arne Jacobson’s Egg Chair; Eero Saarinen’s pedestal table, tulip chair and womb chair, and George Nelson’s bubble lamp, to name just a few. Another notable: Herman Miller, who along with these designers and others produced the pieces they created. Possibly the most recognized American Midcentury architect is Frank Lloyd Wright, who trained many others in the style.
So, What IS the Enduring Appeal of Midcentury Modern?
This quote succinctly sums it up:
“There’s a reason why midcentury modern design is perhaps even more popular today than it was when it emerged in the late 1940s. It’s a hodgepodge of other design styles: Take the warmth of Scandinavian design and the industrial materials of modernism, infuse them with a fascination in the space age and the optimism of the postwar boom, and you’ve got it.”
There is another reason: midcentury pieces work well with other design influences. The clean lines, organic shapes and nod to nature allow them to anchor a design or be a feature. While it may be getting difficult to find authentic Midcentury pieces – at least reasonably affordable ones – there are many good quality reproductions because of its popularity. There are also many budget-priced pieces, especially in the realm of art, lighting, and accents.
If Midcentury Modern calls to you, engaging an interior designer to guide you through the labyrinth is advisable, especially if you are starting from scratch. You don’t want your home to look like an episode of Mad Men. Getting professional guidance on a “modern” take on Midcentury Modern will help you achieve a fresh approach to this iconic style.
History of Interior Design: Mid-Century Modern
47 Midcentury Modern Living Room Ideas That Explain Why This Retro Style Endures
Trend Watch: Why Mid-Century Modern Never Goes Out of Style
What is Mid-Century Modern Style?
