Design Style: Mid-Century Modern (MCM)

Mid-Century Modern Design Style

Mid-century modern style is a style that like to come back every so often, and it’s always rebranded with a touch of current trends. It was first popular from the mid-1940s to the end of the 1960s. The first definition of the movement was by Cara Greenberg in her book ‘Mid Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950’s. From then on it is considered as a significant design movement. It is one of the most recognised styles in interior design.

Summary of key characteristics, shapes, lines, materials

The MCM is characterised by clean, simple lines, and a modern style of construction. Influenced by Bauhaus and Scandinavian style and formed in an alliance with the Modernist movement of the period.

Design principles are expressed in opening up the living spaces and creating structures with large windows and open spaces that would bring the outdoors inside, maximise light and integrate nature with the interior.

Materials used in furniture production were wood (primarily teak, rosewood, and oak) and glass, but also we can see experimentation with plastic metal and leather. They are now of the status of modern classics and are seen as collectable pieces or design must-haves.

Shapes begin to look more straightforward and we can see less of ornaments. Emphasis is being put on functionality and simplicity. Embracing the post-war modern way of living and breaking with the tradition. Because the living environment was meant to be more functional the design pieces were highly functional and served multiple purposes. Shaped predominantly in curved, sleek shapes. Often round and in odd bent shapes and modular.

Colour Palette

With the use of wood in most of the furnishings the pallet is often in brown shades and muted neutrals, however, we also see bold colour accents inspired by jewels. This perfectly represents how a neutral colour scheme can be a canvas for accent colours. It was revolutionary at that time to use bold accent colours or make the furniture a stand-out piece.

So why is mid-century modern is so revolutionary and inspires interior designers to this day?

It was the first design movement to bring functionality and simplicity to the interiors and have a timeless appearance.

It breaks with traditions and expresses post-war sentiment to start fresh and break with traditional, often highly decorative interiors. Think minimalism over a palace. Because the materials were scares after WWII designers had to develop new ways of thinking and innovate. This resulted in a rise in new materials that could be used for furniture production and construction, like fibreglass, plywood and plastic. Subsequently this allowed for new and interesting material combinations.

Types of Furniture like sofas were lifted off the ground with legs, to give a lighter appearance.

The colour palette is earthy tones which mostly come from the use of wood in the style and other materials as the pops of colour.

Jewel tones are used as pops of colour and patterns in mid-century modern design style are geometrical and often repeat themselves.

Therefore adding a Mid-Century Modern design style to our space we can always be sure that the function and the simplicity of the design will stand a test of time.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/byambersmyth/