Whether it’s the combination of traditional and modern or the simple layout that allows form and function to dictate, everyone seems to be crushing over Mid-Century Modern design.
Being the must-have trend from the 1940’s to 1970’s, Mid-Century Modern has been gracing design magazines more and more lately. By being closely related to modern design, but not as understated, Mid-Century Modern seems to be a great middle-ground between creative and minimalist.
Of course, there are many variations of this style - some enjoy more color while others enjoy more pattern - but here are a few tips that will guide you in the right direction for accomplishing a desired Mid-Century Modern design.
Simplicity
Simplicity is the real showstopper in Mid-Century Modern design. Clean organic lines and modish geometric shapes are a major staple, as long as function is at the core of the design. Mid-Century Modern isn’t big on ornate or embellished furnishings, in fact, with Mid-Century Modern it’s much better to work with negative space than to add smaller decorative pieces.
In this design, we used a mixture of tailored and naturally curved furnishings. The curved pieces are a nod to the modern aspect, while the bold geometric patterns represents the more creative side (but still doesn’t add clutter). To keep the space from feeling too decorated, we opted for a translucent acrylic coffee table that blends in with the rest of the furniture.
Nature
Along with simplicity comes nature, two elements that go hand-in-hand. Mid-Century Modern designs were original to taking advantage of large windows, natural light, organic materials, and fluid shapes.
Honoring the natural aspect of this style is incredibly easy, as there are so many versatile elements to be used that represent both modern and traditional looks. For this home’s main area, we paired matte black leather and modern-industrial metals with a smoked oil finished wood floor. The bathroom is more on the natural side, with the exception of the industrial sink and vanity (note the negative space used in the vanity for extra function!), using a large floor-to-ceiling window to bring the outdoor pebble garden inside.
Large statements
Accent pieces are an important element to any design and Mid-Century Modern is no exception. However, with simplicity guiding the design, accents need to be chosen wisely. Some of the most common accents include carefully placed color (usually in the furnishings instead of decor), lighting, feature walls, and unique statement furniture.
This client of ours wanted a monochromatic Mid-Century Modern design, so we played with blacks and organic woods instead of bold colors. We didn’t rely too heavy on artwork, instead we integrated plenty of mirrors and acrylic to counterbalance the chic blacks and accentuate the abundance of natural light. Custom lighting, both modern and industrial, are found throughout as a well as a few subtle brick accents. The key here is to choose a few powerful accents and really make those pop, so spreading your feature pieces out will really help.
The great thing about Mid-Century Modern is how versatile it can be. As long as the main elements of simplicity, nature, and carefully selected accents are followed, it is a beautiful design that features clean function and personality.
If you’re thinking of going with a Mid-Century Modern design, you may want to seek out an interior designer to ensure the furnishings and accents are proportionate and that negative space is used correctly (which can be difficult to the novice). Feel free to call our Tampa interior design studio to discuss your custom Florida Mid-Century Modern home at 813-831-0949. We also design nationwide and in the Caribbean.