The iconic style of Mid-century design has proven time and again that despite its moniker, it’s really a style that transcends the ages.
Popular in all corners of the home, the hallmarks of an aesthetic that flourished between 1945 and 1970 in interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture and urban development are distinct not only because of their individual details but because of their enduring appeal and eternal ability to feel fresh, new and relevant.
Here we look at what gives Mid-century Modern design its timeless appeal, and how we can bring this ultra-chic look into our homes.
What is Mid-century Modern design?
The term ‘Mid-century Modern’ has become quite vast in terms of design, spanning a post-war era where lifestyles became less formal and new materials proliferated, altering production processes and creating new opportunities. In many ways we can see its heritage rooted in the abstract, angular and geometric stylings of the Bauhaus movement that preceded Mid-century Modern, hailing from Germany in the 1920s and ’30s.
The National Design Academy says: “Mid-century modern is characteristically simple with clean lines and material choice that came before fussy design elements. Teak was the wood of choice and bright accent colours were used to inject life into otherwise austere surroundings. Floral patterns and botanical motifs all but disappeared as Mid-century modern marched in with its plain yet powerful statement furniture – and it’s the furniture that almost defines the era.”
Amongst the great names of the Mid-century era is one of our own preferred suppliers, Knoll, who famously worked with artistic revolutionaries like Marcel Breuer, creator of the Wassily chair. The iconic item was named for the painter, Wassily Kandinsky, inspired by bicycle construction and fabricated using the techniques of local plumbers.
A brand effectively built on the celebration of individual designer talents, other names synonymous with Knoll and its most coveted furniture include Florence Schust, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, David Adjaye, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, leading to innovations such as the Bertoia Diamond Chair or the Saarinen Tulip Table.
The art of quality
One of the defining features of Mid-century Modern style is the quality of the furniture. In many cases using contemporary materials that we now associate with transience, Mid-century designers used them for their original and pure purpose, resulting in pieces that remain eternally contemporary nearly 80 years on. For example, plastics, metal and fabrics were put to iconic use, intended not as fast fashion or throwaway style, but as enduring statements of individual taste and a forward-thinking mindset.
During our recent visit to the Knoll factory, we witnessed firsthand the exceptional quality that defines their products. Observing the meticulous production of a Platner Chair left a lasting impression. The stitching is done with such precision that not a single one is visible. The immense skill and attention to detail required for each piece results in a lengthy production time for just one item. These designs are legacies from brilliant minds, meant for the world to cherish. The complexity involved in creating these pieces is what makes them so extraordinary. Not everyone can achieve this level of craftsmanship, and that’s why these items stand out. Even if you’re not familiar with their heritage, you can sense their uniqueness.
What makes Mid-century Modern timeless?
A fusion of architecture, spatial design and furniture, Mid-century Modern was about creating spaces and then creating an aesthetic that was intentionally forged to fill them. Architects wanted to not only create the exterior but the interior as well, ensuring they worked in harmony with one another, having found that nothing that existed worked with their forward thinking approach. The result was a style that became instantly recognisable and timeless because of the ingenuity of the creators.
While the materials and the mindset were new and innovative, what makes this homogenous style enduring is that it is rooted in the three essential elements:
1) The use of honest materials:
From wood to metal, the use of materials celebrates exactly what they are – the grain, the versatility, the colours – it’s all used in its simplest, purest form, intended to honour the material itself.
2) Exceptional craftsmanship:
As mentioned in the production of the Platner Chair at Knoll, the quality of craftsmanship is a core part of Mid-century Modern design. With the simplicity of the style, clean lines and innovative use of shape, there is no space for poor quality to hide – the beauty of seeing something well-made is part of the experience.
3) A revolutionary use of colour
The use of colour becomes much more mature during the Mid-century Modern movement, it’s bolder, cleaner and more direct than anything that had gone before. Designers were not afraid to let the raw hues of materials speak for themselves (naked concrete walls and floors for example), while the vibrancy of teal, burnt orange, emerald greens and mustard yellows found their way into home environments. The unmistakable influence of Bauhaus philosophy on colour is beautifully evident in Mid-century design. This iconic movement explored not only the psychological effects of colour but also its power to create immersive experiences. Every hue and shade was chosen with meticulous consideration, blending aesthetic beauty with rational functionality.
Mid-century style in a modern home
Knowledge of these values provides the foundation on which we can incorporate Mid-century style into our homes. Yes, there are iconic features that can be incorporated – hairpin cabinet legs, tulip tables, bold accent colours and teak or oak woodwork, for example, but it’s those three essential elements that provide a framework in which to embody the Mid-century mindset.
For example, when talking about bringing Mid-century style into bathroom settings, Niko Rasides, our Design Director, told Homes and Gardens magazine: “You can look to introduce natural wood elements through cabinets, bathroom shelving, or even a wooden vanity. The warmth of wood can provide a touch of organic beauty to the bathroom.”
Getting further into the details, angular fixtures and fittings that eschew excessive ornamentation and a layered approach to mirrors and glass creating a reverence for space and natural light, are both synonymous with Mid-century design.
The final flourish in Mid-century style is seeking opportunities for a touch of playfulness without descending into kitsch. Intriguing details, offbeat patterns and an unexpected use of texture all contribute to a sense of considered design rather than following the crowd. We saw that use play when visiting the 1930s Key West home of Ernest Hemingway. Arguably an early example of Mid-century style coming into its own, the bon vivant’s home is an exquisite display of personality and preference, forged together to serve the lifestyle of the occupant.
Summing up the appeal of Mid-century style, Niko says: “Mid-century design shaped the world we are living in today. Our buildings follow that same honesty and that’s why we connect with this unique era. The style was about going back to the essential, using materials in a way that serves purpose, without the bells and whistles – it had to provide a certain lifestyle for the user, and that mindset means that even today the style and individual items look modern. For me, Mid-century embraces the notion of timelessness because it always remains relevant for where we are today. We can call it ‘Mid-century’ but we love it because we feel connected to it right now.”
Speak to the team at Nicholas Anthony bringing a Mid-century mindset into your home.
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