Decorating
5 Essential Pieces for a Mid-Century Mood
From sleek sideboards to sweet wooden figures, the mid-century period gave birth to a host of beautiful pieces that still look fresh today
We may not aspire to live in Don Draper’s house, but lots of us are drawn to mid-century modern design, and with good reason. This innovative, streamlined style was born in the central decades of the last century, as the world emerged from its second global conflict in 50 years and began to look for something more contemporary, exciting and future-focused. The result was a style that placed an emphasis on natural shapes, clean lines and easy-to-live-with pieces, and it still appeals today. So how can you weave some mid-century magic into your home? These five essential pieces are a great place to start.
Genuine mid-century pieces can be expensive, such is their desirability, but there are lots of good alternatives available today. In fact, most contemporary furniture companies have a range of sofas and armchairs that borrow unashamedly from mid-century design, copying its shapes and aesthetics. This chair is actually from Ikea and artfully references classic mid-century, wood-framed seating.
Pick the best sofa for your living room
Pick the best sofa for your living room
2. Look for space-age lighting
The race for space dominated the central decades of the 20th century, with the Russians launching the first manmade satellite into space in October 1957. It was named Sputnik 1 and it spawned a huge range of equally space-age chandeliers and lights carrying its name.
The race for space dominated the central decades of the 20th century, with the Russians launching the first manmade satellite into space in October 1957. It was named Sputnik 1 and it spawned a huge range of equally space-age chandeliers and lights carrying its name.
Vintage lighting from the mid-century period does not come without a hefty price tag, but there are numerous great alternatives available that feature the same multi-barbed style with bulbs at each tip. Choose a design that’s exuberant and hang it as a statement piece, not an afterthought.
Easy ways to get your interior lighting sorted
Easy ways to get your interior lighting sorted
3. Make room for a sideboard
Sideboards reached new heights of sleekness and style in the mid-century period, and evolved into an indispensable piece that offered heaps of living-space storage. Typically made in mid- or light-toned wood, mid-century sideboards can slot into almost any space. For a harmonious fit, team with wooden pieces that share the same tone.
Sideboards reached new heights of sleekness and style in the mid-century period, and evolved into an indispensable piece that offered heaps of living-space storage. Typically made in mid- or light-toned wood, mid-century sideboards can slot into almost any space. For a harmonious fit, team with wooden pieces that share the same tone.
Sideboards from the mid-century period are easy to come by and vary in price. If you like the shape but want to modernise the style, find an inexpensive piece and upcycle it by painting the doors or drawers.
Credenza credentials
Credenza credentials
4. Hang a striking clock
George Nelson designed a range of fabulous clocks during the mid-century period, all with names that echo their shapes. Some of these include the Spindle clock, and the Eye. This is the Sunburst clock, designed for Vitra in 1949. It brings a shot of mid-century style to this simple kitchen and its colours pick up on the green cabinets, too.
George Nelson designed a range of fabulous clocks during the mid-century period, all with names that echo their shapes. Some of these include the Spindle clock, and the Eye. This is the Sunburst clock, designed for Vitra in 1949. It brings a shot of mid-century style to this simple kitchen and its colours pick up on the green cabinets, too.
Don’t have an original George Nelson clock? No problem: simply let his work inspire your timepiece choices. Choose something with the radiating, starburst shape that was so often used during this optimistic period.
Tick-tock: timeless ways with clocks
Tick-tock: timeless ways with clocks
5. Add some accessories
Mid-century design celebrated natural materials and pared-down forms. Some of the most iconic accessories of this period sum up these aesthetics beautifully. These wooden birds were designed by Kristian Vedel in 1959 and were an instant success, becoming one of the most successful Danish wooden products of the 1950s.
Mid-century design celebrated natural materials and pared-down forms. Some of the most iconic accessories of this period sum up these aesthetics beautifully. These wooden birds were designed by Kristian Vedel in 1959 and were an instant success, becoming one of the most successful Danish wooden products of the 1950s.
Kay Bojesen’s beautiful wooden figures, designed for Danish design house Rosendahl, show a more playful side of mid-century design. He created his classic monkey in 1951 and it remains today both a popular toy and a design icon.
TELL US
Do you have any mid-century pieces in your home? Post photos and tell us about them in the Comments below.
MORE
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TELL US
Do you have any mid-century pieces in your home? Post photos and tell us about them in the Comments below.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Mid-Century Modern
How to Add Mid-Century Appeal to Your Bedroom
USA Houzz: Mad About Mid-Century Furniture In Tiny Houston Haven
Squashy sofas may be comfy, but to instantly rock a mid-century look, find a design with a wooden frame. This gives the piece the clean, organic lines that were key during this period. Choose upholstery in a soft, natural tone and, to really make the most of those clean lines, ditch the scatter cushions and leave it gloriously unadorned.