You don’t have to be a fan of Mad Men to love mid-century modern style. This design style originally rose to prominence in the 1940s and has recently had a resurgence in popularity. With an emphasis on organic forms, geometric shapes, clean lines, and functionality, as well as nature, bold patterns, and contrasting textures, there is a lot that goes into making a mid-century modern home into a harmonious space. While some people embrace this style as the guiding principle throughout their entire home, others choose just a few standout pieces to make a timeless statement.
Here are some simple mid-century modern additions that will add effortless flair to your home.
Organic Sculpture
Mid-century modern homes are marked by having minimal ornamentation, so choose just one statement sculpture per room. Look for sculptures that have a clean, organic aesthetic, featuring an abstracted figure or nature-inspired shape in white, black, wood, or other neutral-toned material. Our large resin Amorphous Table Object, for example, would fit perfectly in a mid-century modern home. Rounded exterior curves frame a central hole to create a biomorphic shape that will be a conversation starter at your dining table. Take your time with choosing a sculpture as it will be a focal point of the room. If you need help finding one that really speaks to you and draws together other elements of your room, stop by one of our Charleston furniture stores and speak to an interior design specialist.
Bold, Graphic Art
While mid-century homes were uncluttered on the whole, the art often included bold colors and geometric patterns that made the space feel more lively. In this way, graphic prints in wall art, upholstery, and wallpaper provide contrast and balance to the clean, uncluttered design sensibilities. You can find eye-catching abstract geometric works like “Surf” and “Vivid Ombre 1” at all three of our Charleston furniture stores. The best part about art is that if you ever want to change things up, it’s easy to do so.
Whimsical Lighting
In addition to the art in your space, you can also use mid-century modern statement lighting to create an impact. Often the best lighting for this design style features metallics, starbursts, and geometric shapes, like our Happy Table Lamp. Exposed bulbs, like in our Demi John Pendant are also popular in this style as they give a raw, vintage feel to otherwise glamorous chandeliers and sconces.
Leather Sofa
While mid-century modern homes are minimal in some ways, you can still create a rich and inviting space by incorporating luxe textures. Leather in particular is very popular in this style of design, particularly when used on sofas and chairs like our Ambrose Leather Club Chair. The most obvious example of a leather chair from mid-century modern design history is the iconic Eames Lounge chair. Brown or black leather is also a highly functional upholstery choice as it is hard-wearing and easy to clean.
Curved Lines
Gently curved lines in both furniture and design details are a hallmark of mid-century modern style. From staircase railings to sofa backs and mirrors, the amount of curvatures in a mid-century modern home offsets the heavy metal and leather accents and clean architectural lines by adding softness and warmth. As an example of a mid-century-inspired living room, you could pair a sofa with clean, straight lines with circular end tables and a rounded ottoman, like our Rosie Pouf. Don’t forget to add our Shurlock Bar Cart, the ultimate mid-century modern statement piece for your living room.
Learn More About Mid-Century Style at our Luxury Home Furniture Stores in Charleston, SC
When you start delving into mid-century modern style, you’ll realize that it is so much more than furniture and decor. It extends to architecture, colors, and a sophisticated philosophy that emphasizes nature and harmony in the home. If you’re interested in learning more about this style and how to use these principles in your own home on a larger scale, please stop by one of our Charleston furniture stores and we’d be happy to discuss bringing mid-century modern flair into your space.
Shop The Look
Demi John Pendant
A subtly textured glass demi john bottle hangs from twisted jute rope to illuminate & add refreshing character over an island, sink or dining table.
Shurlock Bar Cart
This polished bras and glass bar cart is a perfect blend of modern and classic. It is the perefect accesory for any home.
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Graffito Pillow
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