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Although mid-century modern style was driven by advances in technology, it was also inspired by the natural world, and wood is the most widely used material for furniture. I started off in the world of journalism in fashion and luxury travel and then landed my first interiors role at Real Homes and have been in the world of interior design ever since. Prior to my role at H&G I was the digital editor at Livingetc, from which I took a sabbatical to travel in my self-converted van (not as glamorous as decorating a home, but very satisfying). A year later, and with lots of technical DIY lessons learnt I am back to writing and editing, sometimes even from the comfort of my home on wheels.
Layered Vintage Decor
At the core of the revamp was a composition of materials that creates a unique architectural presence while remaining appreciative of the landscape of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains. Interior and exterior spaces cohesively blend through vast windows with views to the surroundings, and continuous materials that wrap from the inside out. Redwood cedar warms every room, while one connecting plane of dark flooring extends throughout.
Reproduction Furniture
Whether you're seeking to create a sleek, mid-century interior design or update your living room ideas with a few iconic mid-century pieces, we've rounded up some beautiful schemes and advice from the experts to get you inspired. Not so long ago terrazzo was banished, only to be used to grace the floors of public spaces. But terrazzo has been making a slow comeback in the world of interior design trends and seeping back into our homes. Terrazzo has technically been around for many centuries, but it made a comeback in the form we know it towards the end of the mid-century modern era.
Bring in Era-Appropriate Art
Subsequent technological advancements led to the production of new materials allowing designers to explore new shapes, textures, and colors. Brazilian and Scandinavian architects were very influential at this time, with a style characterized by clean simplicity and integration with nature. Like many of Wright's designs, Mid-century architecture was frequently employed in residential structures with the goal of bringing modernism into America's post-war suburbs. This style emphasized creating structures with ample windows and open floor plans, with the intention of opening up interior spaces and bringing the outdoors in. Many Mid-century houses utilized then-groundbreaking post and beam architectural design that eliminated bulky support walls in favor of walls seemingly made of glass.
Living + Family Rooms
Though wood was still brought into use, yet experimentation was made with the introduction of plastic, metal, glass, vinyl, plywood, Flexiglass and lucite. Most of these materials and their popularity could be gauged from the fact that their usage rolled over to the first two decades of the next century, too. As a founder of iii studio, Brinda has designed and executed over 100+ projects with a special focus on luxurious residential designing.
Statement lighting
With residences by the likes of Richard Neutra, Raphael Soriano, Craig Ellwood, Pierre Koenig, and A. Quincy Jones—to name just a few—dotting the landscape, Los Angeles is no doubt a globally known destination for masterful midcentury homes. Thankfully, today’s stewards of these treasured houses have risen to the challenge of preserving and renovating them for modern living. Lastly, understanding the philosophy that underlies the mid-century modern movement is crucial. "Understanding what inspired and drove the movement is a great place to start with mid-century modern design," says Dave Adams. "Initially, the Bauhaus movement sought to unite fine art with architecture, keeping function ahead of form, and creating designs that could easily be mass produced."
Go for a retro color scheme
The conversation pit is a fixture in midcentury design, so adding in a space to your living room that encourages human connection is essential to truly capture the aesthetic. This isn't technically a pit, but Rodney Lawrence mimicked one with this oversize sectional. A vast record collection is only appropriate for someone who loves midcentury modern, so be sure to own it and put your records on display. Moore called this room a "disco library lounge" and had it double as a lively, music-filled family room.
Blue living room ideas from pro interior designers
Mid-Century Lark House Embraces Modern While Honoring History - Design Milk
Mid-Century Lark House Embraces Modern While Honoring History.
Posted: Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:02:19 GMT [source]
Timeless and stylish, mid-century modern living room ideas are enduringly popular. Characterized by clean lines, a pared-back palette and sinuous, biomorphic forms, the mid-century-modern look pairs well with many other styles and remains contemporary today. Whatever side of the debate you fall on, it’s clear that the midcentury modern aesthetic has left an indelible mark on the design world—a function and form we can all learn from. So whether you’re committed to a full midcentury home renovation or looking to infuse the look into your living room with a few simple tweaks, we’ve pulled our favorite looks from the pages of ELLE DECOR to help sway you.
Warm Palette
Be mindful that mid-century modern interior design is adaptable to the needs and concerns of today’s homeowners. ‘Modern adaptations integrate contemporary technology and sustainable materials, offering personalized, lifestyle-suited designs,’ explains Artem Kropovinsky. You might not think the classic log cabin look and midcentury modern aesthetic can work together, but Thom Filicia proves they do renovation. The cluster of midcentury coffee tables don't compete with the warm wood and stone textures in the space. The MCM design aesthetic is modern in style and construction, aligned with the Modernist movement of the period.
In a lot of ways, the process was like making a painting in three dimensions,” Weatherford says. Statham and interior designer Courtney Applebaum opted for a minimalist look for the home’s living room to better highlight the clean lines of the space. The black leather couch is Illum Wikkelso, and the red couch and armchairs are by Pierre Jeanneret. Midcentury modern is still in style, as its elements of functionality, clean lines, and natural materials are very popular in today’s designs. We spoke with designers about the history, key characteristics, and popularity of the midcentury modern style (which is often referred to as "MCM").
The design philosophy it propounds is one of simplicity, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation in our often chaotic world. 'Mid-century modern style furnishings are very easy to use in any home style and work well with other, more traditional decor elements. Their simple lines and materials can act as a stunning foil to more ornate moldings and keep a formal space from feeling too stuffy.
Many midcentury furniture design companies like Knoll, Herman Miller (think George Nelson), Vitra, etc. offer mid-century modern furniture to suit different themes. When it comes to incorporating mid-century modern design in your home, the first step is to "research and familiarize yourself with the iconic designers, furniture pieces and architectural styles of the era," advises Sims. Understanding the principles that guided mid-century design will not only provide inspiration but also a framework for you to start with. Mid-century modern spaces often feature bold patterns, and a harmonious balance between form and function. At its core, mid-century modern design represents a departure from the ornate and excessive styles that dominated the early 20th century. Instead, it embraces a more pared-down approach, focusing on creating open, light-filled spaces that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment.
"The entire heart of the MCM movement lies in function, so if you acquire gorgeous antique MCM chairs, for instance, make sure they are sturdy enough to handle daily use," Thompson adds. "I appreciate the rise of multipurpose furniture, which was adopted in this design ethos and is something we still promote as designers today," designer Becky Shea says. "Every piece serves a purpose and beyond, casting shadows on the days where rooms were beholden to being used once a year for a special occasion due to their ornate, elaborate design." Color was also a major component of midcentury style and was used in ways we had never seen before, often either as a bold accent or as a way to make a piece of furniture stand out singularly in a room, Thompson says. "We saw a lot of wood, metal, glass, and vinyl, often used in tension with each other to create a unique look."
Echoing Sims' thoughts, Dave Adams dives deeper into the importance of function in this design style. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two. If you love decorating with art from the mid-century era then opting for an all-white scheme for a living room will allow it to double as a beautiful gallery space, perfect for showing off your prized collections says interior designer Andrew Suvalsky.
