Mid Century Modern Furniture, we highlight 10 great pieces that have established a lasting legacy in interior décor!
The Iconic Mid Century Modern furniture is often the preferred furniture of choice when it comes to furnishing the home.
This is no mere opinion as the popular trend for this type of furniture has never wavered from the public’s attention.
Apart from their popularity, the Mid Century Modern furniture is a style that truly speaks to me whenever I see one.
And regardless of the designer or the period it is from, these are products which we can really call Exciting Furniture!
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Brief History of Mid Century Modern Furniture
The “Midcentury Modern” phrase was first coined by the author, Cara Greenburg, as a title for her 1984 book, Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. Greenberg had originally written an article for Metropolitan Home about 1950s furniture in 1983.
An editor later urged her to write a book on the same topic. Greenberg later states that the phrase, “midcentury modern”, was something she “just made that up as the book’s title,”. An origin story can’t be simpler than that!
In general, “Midcentury Modern” broadly describes architecture, furniture, and graphic design from the middle of the 20th century (roughly 1933 to 1965). However, in terms of the furniture, they came about the post-WWII era, from about 1947 to 1957.
Within this short time period, often consider to span well into the 1960s, a number of designers, artists and architects, would come to be recognize as the pioneers of this new furniture movement.
Who were some of these Designers?
In brief, some of the most iconic and recognizable furniture from this era originate from a small group of dedicated designers whose names rightly dominate discussions on Mid Century Modern furniture. We highlight some below.
The architect, George Nelson, is one of the originals with his Nelson Bench design in 1946. Although his design is just slats of wood pieces on top of thick wooden legs, it creates a bold statement in a home. To the point where the bench is no longer just a bench, but a comfy seat, table, shelf or art piece. Such is the immense influence of Nelson’s simple design.
Designers such as the American husband and wife team of Charles and Bernice “Ray” Eames, whose pioneering work on designs and use of new materials and techniques in crafting furniture, are regarded as one of the pillars in the Mid Century Modern furniture era. Their iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is synonymous for Mid Century Modern furniture.
The Finnish American designer, Eero Saarinen, often collaborate with the Eames, but was a grand master in his own right.
Being renown for his flexible style creating simplistic, yet elegantly silhouette pieces that belie their functionality.
His iconic Dining table has only one leg but was usable in any setting.
The artist and architect, Isamu Noguchi, cannot be miss in any discussion. His Noguchi table epitomizes the simple nature of the design, combining just two materials (hardwood and glass), creating a piece that is both elegant and aesthetically functional.
These are just some of the amazing designers who contributed immensely to the Mid Century Modern furniture movement.
Although at the time, “Mid Century Modern”, was not a term they would have used, their iconic creations all share the unique traits which we now recognize.
What are the key characteristics of this type of furniture?
The key characteristics of the Mid Century Modern furniture came from the innovative belief that furniture for the contemporary consumer no longer need to be fancy, bulky, or expensive as furniture from previous generations.
But that it should be made from the best and easily accessible materials, with the simplest and functional designs, at the most affordable prices.
Hence, the designers cut free from complexity and evolve the furniture to have clean lines, sharp aesthetics, and simple designs.
This not only challenge the creation of furniture but also made the furniture appealing and pleasing to everyone who saw it.
The designers also took great pride in their work, combining both innovation and superior craftmanship.
Creating great works of art that were functional, utilitarian, and easily distinguishable from the regular furniture.
The use of materials was simple and easy to create with. Starting with hardwood with natural finishes, such as teak or oak. Then progressing to mixing the natural with manmade materials, such as wood with synthetic fabrics, and plexiglass and fiberglass. All stemming from the new materials and technology that became available after the war.
Why is Mid Century Modern Furniture so popular?
Why does the Mid Century Modern furniture style continue to be so popular?
There are a number of reasons for this popularity. Some of these are as follows:
Manufacturers and retailers continue to embrace the style’s clean and simple design which tends to make it easy for mass production and mass consumption.
The contemporary consumer continues to appreciate and embrace the design for their adaptability and ease of use in the interior décor.
We continue to see the same style of furniture use in all types of multi media, from the advertisement for all manner of products, to period TV shows like the Brady Bunch and Madmen.
This in turn makes everyone keenly aware of the style, thereby, makes us curious and, perhaps, makes us want them all the more.
A quote from an agent at Sotheby’s states plainly, “Midcentury pieces are simply well-design objects, with a timeless look. They sit very well in contemporary homes and interiors—they still feel fresh today, they still feel modern. A lot of those pieces haven’t been bettered. They still stand the test of time.”.
In other words, they are incredible timeless pieces that everyone should have (at least one) in their homes.
Are Mid Century Modern Furniture Still Available?
Although many of the original Mid Century Modern furniture in this review are no longer available except through the vintage markets or estate sales. As limited period products they can no longer be consider affordable either, as originally envision by their designers.
Well Known Mid Century Modern Furniture companies
Fortunately, thanks to the foresight of a number of furniture companies renown for making Mid Century Modern furniture, many of the designs were given new life as reissues to the delight of a new generation of furniture aficionados.
Knoll was one such company, that in 1993, opened its SoHo showroom and changed their once to-the-trade only practice (meaning pieces were sold only to designers and architects, not to consumers), to the direct-to-consumer strategy.
The boost in business with this significant change convince Knoll to bring more of the classic designs in their inventory back to the fore and make them available to the regular consumer.
Another major furniture company is Herman Miller, who like Knoll, recognized the importance of the direct to consumer sales strategy in the 1990s. So they decided to reissue pieces from the Herman Miller archive under the name Herman Miller for the Home, and to offer these pieces directly to consumers.
Surprisingly enough, one exceptional piece, the iconic Eames Lounge Chair, never went out of production with Herman Miller and is still available in it original form, but unfortunately pricing has expanded with the times and now a new piece can be almost as expensive as a vintage original…go figure.
Current Mid Century Modern Furniture Companies
Fast forward to the present and even the reissue pieces from these companies have become difficult to find or afford.
Fortunately recognition and demand for many of these iconic Mid Century Modern furniture has grown so much that there are now a lot of smaller furniture manufacturers that cater to producing contemporary reproductions of the vintage midcentury designs.
In addition, the use of current online markets by the furniture manufacturers have finally achieved the original designers goal. And that is to make their iconic designs fully available and more affordable to the regular consumer.
The Unique Mid Century Modern Furniture you want!
The following are 10 of the most unforgettable iconic Mid Century Modern furniture reproductions available in the market.
The Iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Designed by Charles and Bernice “Ray” Eames in 1956, their iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is synonymous with the Mid Century Modern furniture era. The design was an update on the lounge chair and was envision to mimic a baseball glove mitt shape in order to comfortably envelop a sitting body. Its no wonder Herman Miller never stopped production of this piece.
We now have faithful reproductions of this piece at more affordable prices.
Check out the availability of this piece by clicking on either of the following buttons:
The Beautiful Noguchi Table
Designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1948, the famous Noguchi table is said that no house is complete without it. The elegant yet simple design of two interlocked legs of carve solid wood topped by a thick plate of glass makes the piece look beautifully organic but functional in any living room setting.
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The Classic Saarinen Pedestal Table
Design by Eero Saarinen in 1957, the iconic Saarinen Pedestal table is a sculptural masterpiece. A testament to its designer’s history as a sculptor. Saarinen viewed a four leg table as ugly and figures one finely crafted leg would work just as well, or even better. Recreations are now in all manner of sizes, colors and finishes the world over.
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To match the table Saarinen also design similar looking chairs. Who wouldn’t want a complete matching dining room set.
The Media Famous Shell Chair
Design by Hans Wegner in 1963, the widely curve Shell Chair drew much puzzlement at first but soon attracted much appreciation for the small footprint of its low three leg stance and comfort. Versions of this chair have become favorites in ads and multi media scenes.
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The Incredible Barcelona Chair
Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929, this is another piece that is just synonymous with Mid Century Modern design and yet was created for Barcelona’s International Exhibition in 1929. As a vision of timeless elegance fused with practical comfort this piece is notable as the “extra” in many movies and TV shows. Although designed almost a century ago, Mies gave Knoll the exclusive rights to manufacture his chair in 1948, and now a few reproductions are still available.
Check out the availability of this piece by clicking the following button:
The Simple Arco Floor Lamp by Flos
Designed by the Castiglioni brothers for Flos in 1962, this floor lamp not only looks elegant in any living room setting but is functionally very practical. The marriage of a simple design with smart practicality where the long reach of the spindly neck attaches to a spun aluminum reflector that provides indirect and direct light. It is notable to have been in some movies such as the Bond pic Diamonds are Forever, and The Italian Job.
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And for those purists at heart, or those who want the real deal, Flos Arco Floor Lamp is actually still in production, after some 60 years, and it is actually available on Amazon under the Flos brand no less. Being the actual item puts a premium on the price as oppose to the reproductions, but then it is the real item in all its glory.
Check out the real Flos Arco Floor Lamp by clicking the following button:
The Extra Comfy LC3 Grand Modele Armchair by Le Corbusier
Designed by Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Le Corbusier group in 1928, the simple design of a tubular steel frame supporting a large leather square build, is so plush and comfy that it was aptly nicknamed “cushion basket”. Although design in 1928, many still consider it a Mid Century Modern item of high demand. It even became famous for being the armchair in Maxell’s iconic “Get Blown Away” ad.
Check out the availability of this piece by clicking on either of the following buttons:
The Versatile George Nelson Platform Bench
Designed by George Nelson in 1946, the Nelson Platform bench is more versatile than most other pieces in a home. The simplicity in the design is a reflection of Nelson’s history as an architect. As previously described, the bench is made with slatted wood pieces on top of thick wooden legs, but Nelson envision his piece to have a greater presence in the home by virtue of the multiple uses it can have, such as a book stand, plant stand, extra ladder, extra seat for guests, art piece. Hence this bench is no mere bench by the definition of its ambition.
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The Famous Hans Wegner Round Chair
Another piece design by Hans Wegner in 1950, which he called the Round Chair. This original made-in-Denmark chair can harken some of its roots to the fine Scandinavian design practices such as the use of hardwoods, and the slim nature of the smooth wooden frame. Although recognize for its timeless design, the chair gain further notoriety for its use during the first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The chair continues to be a popular piece today.
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The Enduring Florence Knoll Sofa
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, her iconic sofa/couch set the standard by which all other designs have followed. Being one of the few female designers of the Mid Century Modern furniture era, Knoll was renown for her practical and rational approach to furniture design. To which her sofa is the epitome of form and function, appreciated by all for its timeless durability. Hence all reproductions of the Knoll Sofa must stay faithful to the design and quality.
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Future of Mid Century Modern Furniture
In our day and age we see a great many trends change in all manner of categories. From fashion, arts, and music, to architecture, furniture, and décor.
And the changes themselves are increasing in frequency and duration through the manner in which the changes are communicate in so many ways possible.
From a simple ad in a magazine, to a TV commercial, and all manner of multimedia through the global internet. Has allowed us to learn, gain greater insight, achieve a faster awareness than ever before.
The perception of our world is increasingly growing smaller as we push to gain that extra bit of information quicker, more instantaneous.
Getting that Special Feeling
Such as the state we find ourselves in. But throughout it all, the popularity of Mid Century Modern furniture continues to draw attention. This trend continues to grow with the expanding market.
Perhaps the style of this niche trend of furniture movement has never really grown old to the contemporary consumer.
Or perhaps the attraction of the style harkens us back to a time when things were so much simpler, slower…more the feeling of a relaxing catharsis, like the moment when we slowly lower ourselves into one of those iconic comfy chairs…aaaahh!!
With such a pure nostalgic feeling, you cannot ignore or overlook it, as that tinge of familiarity can be a very powerful attraction.
Such is the feeling I personally get even when I see such a furniture in a magazine ad, or in a showroom, or in my uncle’s man cave.
Thus in putting together this brief and humble review we can, once again, experience the pure joy of such simple and iconic furniture, as their designers had intended them to be.
And with this we can continue to bring more happiness with each and every amazing discovery!!
