Trendy? Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern furniture is incredibly popular at the moment and I have found in the shop that  most people either love it or hate it with a passion. Is it a style that works for you or is this one of those styles your going to let pass you by like mixed metals and frosted lipsticks.

What is mid-century modern and where did it come from? Mid-century modern was a design movemet that characterized American design from roughly 1935 to 1965 and really flourished post World War II when people left the cities for the dust lined suburban streets. When most people think of this style they think of Frank Lloyd Wright as the forefather of this clean lined, original aesthetic movement however one look inside a Frank Lloyd Wright space and its easy to see that the mid-century movement was really an Americanized version of the International and Bauhaus movements of Gropuis, Mies Van Der Rohe and Le Corbusier. Its generally recognized that the American take on this styles is slightly more organic and slightly less industrial but mid-century is still more closely related to these pre- and post war German, Brazilian and Scandinavian styles than any other.

You may wonder why clean lined, often machine made industrial styles suddenly become so sought after post-war but you only need look at the history of art and design to see why. Art and design styles are often more about a teenage style angst filled rebellion against previous styles and their masters than coming from any purely self-referential impetus. In the nineteenth century as a rebellion against the popular gilded, mass-produced furniture and kick-knacks of the time a movement developed characterized by flowing lines, romantic, organic styles and hand-made craftsmanship. So of course the next generation wanted something very different. Obiously this is a very parred down explanation of a much more complicated part of art history but it gives us a general idea of why mid-century modern was so popular and to a lesser extent, why it is so popular today. For soldiers returning home from a savage war abroad it was about bringing modernism into their homes. For us today its probably more a combination of a desire for non-fussy, modern styles and a sustainable vintage chic (even if the sustainable part of the equation doesn't actually exist).

So now that we know where mid-century modern came from, what exactly does it look like? Molded plastic chairs, boxy lined sofas and avocado green toasters is what most people think about but there is more to the style than your grandma's plastic covered living room might lead you to believe. Open spaces, durable and functional furniture pieces and high style is what this design movement was all about. Everyone is watching Mad Men these days and drooling over Knoll sofas and pantyhose and for good reason. This style is an appealing mix of sexy and everyday. Its high fashion that you can live with, elegantly modern instead of coldly Italian, kitten heels instead of five inch studded platforms.

The best part is that a lot of designers are remaking and updating these classic styles for everyone’s budget. That means if you love this style then you no longer have to spend your weekends dumpster diving or spending hour after coveted hour at antique shops and flea markets in no name Texas towns looking for a piece of furniture that hasn't completely fallen apart. Another benefit to getting a remake instead of an original (besides the lower price tag and higher quality) is that you can update this furniture for your lifestyle and the 21^st century. A low back, clean line sofa can have a durable, polyester velvet fabric that the kids can't destroy instead of those gold tweeds that snag at the first pair of jeans. Go the custom route at a place like The SofaWorks and you can update any feature of the piece while still getting that mid-century feel. Just think, your living room can be both hip and practical. I guess my snarky parents were wrong after all, your soul doesn't have to whither just because you have kids and a dog.

And hey, if mid-century modern isn't for you then don't despair, eventually Mad Men will go off the air and gasp! Next the 80's will be back. Plus, if you want to find a style that is timeless or if you already know that you love French Country then come see me at our showroom, we can design a sofa to fit you and your space whatever it happens to be.

Thanks,

Amanda Bolender

The SofaWorks

214.760.1181

www.TheSofaWorks.com