A Historical Lookback
The overall philosophy for this aesthetic, that is characterized by clean lines, simplicity and bright colours, is that design should be beautiful, functional, efficient and attainable.
The period for this style era spans from postwar, late 40s all the way to 1969 and it morphs several times during that time. The style was above all influenced by pop art, with super stars like Andy Warhol and the Beatles in the foreground, the futuristic space age and reprises of the international style that emerged from the earlier periods of the 20th century, where designer and architects like Le Corbusier had introduced functionalism and minimalism.
How to Recreate the Style
Roughly one could divide this style into two different iconic expressions, where the first one evolved during the 50s, where the American cartoon series The Jetsons brilliantly captures the era’s fascination with the futuristic space age and where even some pioneering designers like Bruno Mathsson later will mirror the shows radical furniture pieces in their own designs, like in Mathsson’s the Jetson 66 Chair.
Favour earthy tones and wood material like walnut panelling, subtle hues of green and space age turquoise and combine it with designs like the Sputnik Chandelier created by Gino Sarfatti, Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair from 1948 or Hans J. Wegner’s Wishbone Chair from 1950.
The second expression embodies the groovy 60s – a sleek, urban pop art look. Push bright colours and blend them together. To nail down the colours, think of the artwork of the period like Peter Max, Roy Lichtenstein and Warhol. Chewing gum pink, yellow, duck egg blue or the for the bold ones; push all the way to a monochromatic statement and decorate a whole room in in one colour, like emerald green.
Iconic International Pieces
The mid-century designers were inspired by a new sense of simplicity and their pieces reflected this change in attitude. Many of the most popular designs were those that incorporated both form and function and new materials like plywood, fibreglass and foam enabled a more visionary design than before. Here are someof the most iconic design pieces.
The Lounge Chair designed by the American super duo Charles and Ray Eames for the Hermann Miller Furniture Company, initially released in 1956.
The Egg Chair, designed by Danish Arne Jacobsen in 1959 for the Radisson hotel in Copenhagen, where its unique shape is constructed from moulded foam and upholstered in fabric or leather. This sitting chair is still sold by its original manufacturer Fritz Hansen.
The Tulip Chair and table was designed in the mid-1950s by Finish Eero Saarinen for the furniture house Knoll. His intention was to eliminate the visual clutter of traditional chair and table legs and replace them with a modern pedestal style.
Words of a Specialist
Andreas Siesing, expert in Modern furniture, why do think that mid-century modern design never seems to go out of style?
“In fact, they have already gone out of style once. During the 1970s, many of these furniture pieces and lamps were phased out to summer houses or stored in basements.
Andreas Siesing, specialist in modern furniture, Auctionet
Alternatively, they were repainted. But it didn't take long into the 1980s before designers began to look back to the mid-20th century, mainly for inspiration for new models. And soon enough, the trend was back, and by the early 2000s, many manufacturers started reintroducing old bestsellers into their collections. One reason Mid-Century Modern design is so popular is that it isn't overly ornate, heavy, or flashy. It fits seamlessly with our contemporary ideas about living environments, and I wouldn't be surprised if it remains popular for another couple of decades.”
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