When it comes to interior styles and trends, Mid-Century modern is an aesthetic style that doesn’t seem to be losing any momentum when it comes to the world of interiors. You might have heard of modernism or seen images of the mid-century modern aesthetic, but how much do you really know? To give you a brief run down, the style first emerged in America around the 1940’s during the industrialisation era.
How Mid-century Modern Started
People were seeking a fresh start after the war and were naturally drawn to fresh new ideas, shapes, colours and textures that evoked a sense of happiness and play-fullness. The new technologies from this era allowed architects and designers more freedoms, as previously restricting building and design methods were superseded with more modern approaches.
The search for joy in every day life manifested into architecture and interior design through clean lines, muted tones, a combination of natural and manmade materials, graphic shapes and vibrant colours. The meaning and importance of the home changed to how we know it today.
When incorporating mid-century modern design into your home, there are a few key aspects to consider. Basic design principals such as form, colour and shape underpin the mid-century modern aesthetic. Lifestyle elements like the open floor plan and brining the outdoors in became key aspects that guided architecture and design during that time with lasting effects on todays homes.
Lets break down key aspects of the era and how to introduce these concepts to your own home.
Form
For large pieces of furniture, for instance your sofa, bed or dining table ensure they comprise of clean and architectural lines. No fuss and practicality are key here. These can include strong straight angles or soft and sumptuous curves to balance the strong and bold lines.
The strong clean shape of the Radius Side Table combined with rotund and robust leg of the Mira Bench embodies both of these aspects.
Colour
The “Mad Men” era was notorious for an informal office meeting with a glass of whisky (Neat, not on the rocks) and an infamous cigarette or cigar. Nowadays our office meetings would never involve such things however, doesn’t the soft sumptuous leather of this sofa, with its warm oaky tones, evoke a feeling of siting down having a glass of whisky? Perhaps this time skipping the cigarette, and instead of the office it is in your home. The Scribe Sofa inspires deep and meaningful conversation with family and friends solving all issues of the world today.
Texture
Striving for a modernised version of this key past décor style, texture is a really great way to incorporate a nuances of this trend into a space. Refined versions of previous textures and fabrics are really easy to highlight in subtle ways, giving a sense of what has come before.
For Mid-century Modern, this may come through the use of a beautiful tinted and textured glass as featured in the above Ripple Coffee Table. The glass is a more refined texture than that of what we are used to. by also by pairing it with the sleek modern travertine columns it brings the textured glass into the 21st century in a delightfully refreshing way.
Texture could come just as easily through the selection of fabric for your sofa or occasional lounge chair. Bouclè, first originating in the 1940’s really made its impact during the Midcentury design era. The French word meaning “curled” refers to the way in which the fabric is constructed, the looping of yarn generally a wool based yarn creating this soft and sumptuous textured fabric.
Bouclè is back in a big way, after a tumultuous couple of years, again we are reminiscent of a more free and simpler time. Now spending so much of our time at home we are looking to create a comfortable and cozy space, wrapping ourselves up in cotton wool like textures to soften the blow of the outside world.
A subtle offering in your space can really provide that cozy yet familiar touch needed exemplified by the Osaka Lounge Chair. The Bouclè fabric provides a textural contrast to the hard concrete element creating a sense of comfort without compromising on style.
For assistance with adding mid-century modern elements to your interior space, we are here to help. Book an in-store or onsite consultation today.
