The Mid Century Furniture design’s ongoing appeal is due to a variety of causes. It offered us clean lines, soft organic curves, a love of many materials, and designers that are still adored today.
What Is Mid-Century Modern Style?
Mid-Century Modern was founded by Bauhaus architects and designers who relocated to America as a result of economic upheavals in Germany following World War II. It is distinguished by its simplicity and practicality.
While there is considerable debate over when the period began, it lasted roughly from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s. The style’s ageless quality, on the other hand, continues to appeal to today’s homeowners.
Background Information and Influences
This style developed in America as a result of older styles such as Bauhaus, which originated in Germany, and the International style, which developed in America from the Bauhaus style.
War and other cataclysmic world events uproot and destroy, yet they may also provide possibilities.
Changing economy and technical advancements, like war, have an impact on how we live and what we desire and need. After WWII, the United States experienced a surge in urbanisation and suburbanization. Along with it came a desire for modern furniture for newly constructed modern residences, such as Josef Eichler’s Eichler homes in California.
Technological advancements allowed for the creation and development of a variety of novel materials, allowing for the exploration of new textures, effects, colours, and even shape.
Distinguishing Characteristics
A classic, modest appearance and clean lines with little frills are the distinctive qualities of this design.
- Form follows function, therefore functionality is crucial.
- Clean, uncluttered lines with organic and geometric shapes
- The use of sparse decoration
- An investigation of various conventional and non-traditional materials
- 5. The juxtaposition of various, and sometimes opposing, elements
Materials and Colors
Later Mid Century Modern designers were greatly inspired by new building processes and materials such as plastic. Rather than imitating hardwood furniture, plastic was utilised for its own features.
Traditional materials like wood were used liberally, as well as non-traditional materials including metal, glass, vinyl, plywood, Plexiglass, and Lucite.
A wide variety of colour, from neutral to strong, as well as a graphic use of black and white.
Designers of the Mid-Century Modern Era
There are a number of notable mid century modern furniture designers, and their work has continued to inspire designers that followed after them. Decorative Furniture influenced by their designs, as well as replicas, are in high demand.
Herman Miller, who collaborated with George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames, became identified with “modern furniture” in America. Knoll is another firm well-known for its mid-century modern furniture.
Some of the most well-known designers from this time period are listed below. This is far from a comprehensive list:
- George Nelson
- Edward Wormley
- James Devlin
- Harry Bertoia
- Andy Messenger
- Charles Eames and his wife Ray Eames
- Marie Guérin
- Isamu Noguchi
- Verner Panton
- Jens Risom
- Alexander Girard
