Mid-century furniture refers to the design style of furniture that was popular from the 1930s to the 1960s. Characterized by organic shapes, smooth curves, and modern materials, this style of furniture is a distinct type of design characterized by clean lines, minimalism, and strong angles.
Some notable mid-century furniture designers and manufacturers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll, and Arne Jacobsen. Mid-century furniture has made a comeback in recent years, thanks to its timeless and sleek look.
Popular items of mid-century furniture include chairs, desks, sofas, tables, dressers, and lamps, all of which are sometimes characterized by simple, organic shapes and distinctive materials. Although the style is often associated with vivid and bold colors, there is a wide range of finishes and patterns available, making it easy for anyone to find the perfect mid-century furniture for any space.
What is considered mid century style?
Mid century style is a decorating style primarily associated with the mid-1900s or mid-20th century. This style generally features natural wood tones, strong geometric shapes, modern lines, and a minimalist aesthetic – all of which emphasize mid century furnishing and architecture.
This style is inspired by the streamlined, space-saving furniture of the fifties and sixties, as well as the atomic decor from the period. Common elements of mid century style include slim furniture legs, low tables, and round chairs.
Mid century modern often incorporates iconic materials such as American walnut, teak, and rosewood. The influence of mid century design can be seen in bright colors, sleek shapes, and linoleum flooring in homes, businesses, and public spaces.
How can you tell if a piece of furniture is mid-century modern?
The key to saying if a piece of furniture is mid-century modern is to look for certain identifying characteristics including: simple, clean lines with minimal ornamentation, tapered legs and round, natural wood legs, and a blend of materials such as wood, metal, and plastic.
Additionally, look for pieces that focus on functionality and feature built-in storage. Mid-century modern pieces typically feature prominent graining of wood, and the most classic shapes include geometric and organically inspired designs.
The wood used for mid-century modern pieces was often lighter colored and generally medium to darker in terms of tone, as opposed to traditional dark woods like mahogany and walnut that were so popular before the mid-century modern movement.
Mid-century modern furniture also features earthy tones such as muted greens, blues, and oranges, and often has a matte finish to the wood, as opposed to glossy finishes. Examining the individual elements and characteristics of a piece of furniture is the best way to determine whether or not it fits the definition of mid-century modern.
How do you make a couch look like a mid-century?
To make a couch look like a mid-century piece, start by choosing a design and fabric that is reminiscent of the era. Look for sofas with a clean, minimalistic form and retro colors like olive green or bright blue.
Pair the sofa with furniture pieces that have graphic lines and neutral colors. Adding unique, geometric patterns to an accent pillow or blanket can elevate the mid-century modern vibe of the room. Bring in accessories such as art, lamps and rugs that feature wood or brushed metal accents.
Try to incorporate pieces with curved legs or woven textures to really capture the look and feel of a mid-century living space. Lastly, use warm, natural lighting to enhance the feeling of space and modernize the entire look.
What style mixes well with mid-century modern?
Mid-century modern style is versatile in that it can be blended with a variety of other styles, including traditional, eclectic, bohemian, and even industrial. As for what styles mix well with mid-century modern specifically, contemporary styles with an emphasis on natural materials such as wood, wool and cotton textiles, as well as angular lines and simple, clean design generally match nicely.
Introducing rustic elements, like sleek, wooden furniture in a dark finish, art deco and vintage accessories, or industrial pieces like steel pendants and exposed ventilation can also bring added levels of visual interest.
Combining mid-century modern style with a touch of modern glamour – think metallics, mirrored furniture and statement lighting pieces – can also be a great way to avoid the decor looking too period specific.
Above all else, understanding the basic principles of mid-century design such as simplicity and functionality, it is possible to create an eclectic yet balanced look with this era of design as the common denominator.
What wood is used in Danish modern furniture?
Danish modern furniture typically is constructed with a variety of hardwoods, such as teak, walnut, rosewood, oak and beech. Teak is the most commonly used type of wood when it comes to Danish modern furniture as it is highly durable and has natural oils that make it resistant to insects and rot.
Walnut is also known for its durability and strength and is typically used for making the frame of the furniture. Rosewood is another popular choice for Danish modern furniture, as it provides a beautiful dark grain and adds a unique look to any piece.
Oak is favored for its strength and can be stained or painted in a variety of colors to create different looks. Beech is known for its unique grain pattern and is sometimes used to create unique detailing on the furniture.
How do you make retro furniture?
Creating retro furniture is a unique and exciting undertaking that requires careful consideration and process to achieve the desired aesthetic. The first step is to select the best materials for the piece.
Wood is the most popular choice for creating retro furniture, as its warm colors, grains and textures bring the styles and colors of the past to life.
Once the materials are chosen, carefully design the shape and look of the piece, keeping in mind the era you are aiming to recreate. You may use furniture-making tutorials, resources or consult an expert to help with this.
Be sure to carefully measure and mark each piece before cutting it and use precise joinery techniques.
Next, begin the sanding and finishing processes to give the piece an aged and rustic look. Finishing typically involves staining the wood with a color of your choice. If a distressed look is desired, you may use a tool to create small indentations in the wood.
After that, the hardware or metal accents may be added.
Finally, if desired, you can add a few vintage decor pieces and accessories to the furniture, to really complete the look. Retro furniture is a great, customizable way to give your home a unique and vintage touch.
With the right materials and techniques, you can make retro furniture that is sure to become a treasured family heirloom.
What is the difference between Danish modern and mid-century modern?
Danish modern and mid-century modern are often treated as synonymous terms, but there is actually an important distinction between them. Danish modern is a sub-style of mid-century modern, which refers to a broad style of design, architecture and decorative arts that began in the 1940s and continued until the early 1970s.
Mid-century modern as a whole can also be referred to as mid-century modernism, which encompasses design internationally during the mid-20th century.
The work of Danish designers during the mid-20th century was particularly popular, which is why the term ‘Danish Modern’ emerged. It’s a unique style that’s characterized by minimalism, functionality, and organic simpleness.
Wood is often the primary material used in Danish modern furniture, including teak, rosewood, and walnut. Furniture pieces tend to have long legs and bold curves, as well as natural tones and textures.
Mid-century modern as a whole encompasses a greater diversity of styles, including a range of different countries, materials, and motifs – which is why it’s sometimes referred to as the international style.
It’s estimated that around 60% of Danish modern designers are of Scandinavian descent, making them the largest group of mid-century modern practitioners at the time. In comparison, other countries who incorporated this style include the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
Furniture pieces from this era often feature geometric shapes, bold colors, and mix and match materials.
In short, Danish modern and mid-century modern are both forms of design from the mid-20th century, but Danish modern is a more specific style, inspired by the furniture designs crafted by Scandinavian countries.
It’s characterized by minimalism, functionality, and organic simpleness, while mid-century modern is wider in scope and embraces diverse styles, countries and materials.
What Colour wood is mid-century?
Mid-century furniture often features a mix of different wood tones and colors. Many pieces are crafted from teak, walnut, and mahogany, although there are a few more exotic woods that may be used in more extraordinary pieces.
Depending on the overall aesthetic you’re going for, you can opt for warm, light tones like maple and birch, or darker shades like ebony and rosewood. Mid-century pieces often display a combination of natural woods – like walnut veneers laminated to a birch frame – and painted woods, like mixed color frames made out of oak.
There are also some more eye-catching pieces that embrace bright colors and unique finishes, from lacquer and chrome to enamel and metals. Ultimately, the wood and colors used in mid-century furniture depend on the piece and its overall design.
What wood is used for mid century modern cabinets?
Mid century modern cabinets are quite popular among modern homeowners. They provide a timeless and versatile look that can be easily combined with other styles. As for what type of wood is typically used for mid century modern cabinets, the choice is usually up to the individual but there are generally three main options.
The first is solid oak. Oak is a very dense and strong hardwood. It is usually finished with an oil-based coating or a lacquer to give off a glossy exterior appearance. Oak is also quite affordable, making it an ideal choice for mid century modern cabinets.
The second option is bamboo. Bamboo is a popular choice for people looking for a modern, organic feel in their cabinetry. Bamboo is also very durable and has similar pricing to oak. Bamboo is naturally water-resistant, so it is a perfect choice for bathrooms and kitchens.
Lastly, there is walnut. Walnut has a significantly different look compared to the other two options. It is dark and rich compared to the lighter oak and bamboo. Walnut cabinets can look elegant in any kitchen and provide several unique features such as durability, flexibility, and longevity.
It is however slightly more costly compared to oak and bamboo.
No matter what type of wood is used for mid century modern cabinets, all three have their own unique characteristics that make them well-suited for this style. As long as the homeowner makes an informed decision, their cabinetry will look beautiful for years to come.
What wood is MCM furniture made of?
MCM furniture is usually made of wood such as walnut, rosewood, teak, oak, maple, and birch. It is sometimes made of other materials such as aluminum, steel, plastic, and resin, but wood is the most common.
The mid-century modern style often features lumber that is stripped back or stained to bring out the grain of the woods. Each piece of MCM furniture is unique, so the exact woods used varies depending on the piece and the designer.
Is mid-century furniture timeless?
Yes, mid-century furniture is often considered timeless. This style of furniture stands out in almost any décor with its unique design that features bold shapes, clean lines, and smooth finishes often with a retro feel.
It often blends modern touches with a timeless aesthetic that can take on a variety of looks in any room or office. Additionally, many mid-century furniture materials are often very durable and can last for decades.
Whether you’re drawn to its simplicity, comfort, or durability, mid-century furniture can bring a modern yet timeless feel to any room, and its versatility allows it to look good in any style. Its neutrality also adds to its timelessness, allowing for a variety of looks, pieces to be combined, and adaptability as trends come and go.
How do you make a mid-century coffee table?
Creating a mid-century coffee table can be a fun and creative project that is not too difficult for someone of any skill level. To start, you will need to measure the area you want your mid-century coffee table to fit and determine the type of wood you will use.
Once you have measured the area and chosen the wood, you can begin to build your mid-century coffee table.
First, you will create the legs of the table. If you are using wooden legs, cut four pieces of wood of the same length and shape them the way you want. For a more finished look, you can sand the legs and paint with a sealant before assembly.
Next, you will create the sides of your mid-century coffee table. Depending on the type of wood you are using, you may have to cut the pieces of wood down to size or shape them in a particular way. Again, you will want to sand and seal them before assembly.
Next, you can create the tabletop by connecting the four legs together and joining them with the sides. You may have to use nails and screws to create a sturdy base. Once you have the basic structure of the table put together, you can finish it off with wood glue and any other decorative pieces, such as a tabletop pattern or an edge shape.
Finally, if you want a more polished look for your mid-century coffee table, you may want to sand the entire table and apply a sealant, such as a lacquer or wax. This will help protect the wood and give it a more finished look.
There you have it – your mid-century coffee table! With a few simple materials and steps, you can create a stylish, finished table that is sure to impress. Enjoy!
