Photography: Alan Jensen
Mid-century modern style is timeless and sleek. Mid-century modern homes and furniture are heavily influenced by the concept that ‘form follows function’ and are often characterised by practical designs and beautiful craftsmanship.
Popping up as a new trend shortly after World War II and remaining popular until the 1960s, mid-century style and furniture is characterised by rounded shapes that are inspired by the natural world and simple, functional design. Some of the most famous mid-century furniture designers are Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Arne Jacobsen. In Australia, vintage mid-century furniture by Parker and Chiswell are sought after by collectors.
In recent years, mid-century modern style has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to television shows like Mad Men and modern furniture brands like Icon By Design who are putting their own contemporary spin on this classic style. But let’s be honest, mid-century style never really left. The key to getting it right is to blend mid-century-inspired furniture with contemporary interior design trends.
1. Mid-century furniture
Mid-century style and rich wooden furniture go hand in hand. Timber veneer is also common. Look for furniture in shades of dark and natural timber finishes, such as walnut, usually with rounded shapes such as rounded chair backs, legs and edges.
01
Jorgen sideboard in solid American walnut
$4,999, Icon By Design
Nikita Crockett, interior designer at Icon By Design says an easy way to give your home a mid-century vibe is to embrace dark timber furniture. “Bring warm and inviting colours inside 365 days a year with the appeal of dark wood,” she says. “The elegant Jorgen sideboard in solid American walnut can help you bring dark, rich colours into your space.”
Features:
- Designed in Australia
- Features two sliding doors and four drawers
- Made from solid walnut, which is known for its strength and durability
02
Magnus extension dining table in solid American walnut
$3,999, Icon By Design
When space is at a premium, mid-century furniture that can adapt to your needs is crucial. This extendable dining table seats six, but can expand to accommodate up to eight guests. “The Magnus extension dining table embodies the concept of quiet luxury with its timeless design,” says Nikita. “It’s built to withstand years of lively family gatherings and combines elegance with durability.”
Features:
- One of Icon By Design’s best-selling pieces of furniture
- Smooth rounded corners are practical and stylish
- Easy to assemble
03
Jolanda bedside table in solid American walnut
$1,299, Icon By Design
The slim, sophisticated lines of the Jolanda bedside table are an excellent choice for creating a mid-century inspired bedroom. Tapered legs and a bevelled lip on each drawer front completes the minimalist look.
Features:
- No assembly required
- Available in a 2-drawer version
- 65cm tall
Tips for buying vintage mid-century furniture
- Look for chips and deep scratches on the panels
- Inspect the substrate (usually particleboard) to see if its swollen or distorted. This is typically caused by water damage.
- Hunt for pieces with original finishes. Darker finishes over the top may be disguising the damage below.
- Place both hands on the item and give it a gentle pressure test to check it’s free from wobbles and in good solid order.
- Take a closer look to see if the original fittings are attached (particularly handles and decorative trim). Also check drawer runners are operating smoothly.
2. Pick your colours
The mid-century colour palette runs the gamut from the bright colours that were popular in home during the 50s, to the earlier colours that replaced them in the 60s.
If you’re going for a traditional look, try olive green or dark red. For those wanting to give their mid-century modern interior scheme a glamorous or contemporary look, pick pastel hues, pale pink, black, white, cream, navy or shades of beige.
3. Pick your accessories
Accessorising your home with the right curtains, cushions, decorative objects and lighting are key to getting mid-century style right. Look for pendant lighting or large architectural lighting fixtures that look more like a work of art than a light source, and don’t be afraid of metallic finished.
Candlesticks in traditional shapes, gilded yet simple round mirrors, drinks trolleys and old-fashioned glasses with stylised embossed designs all have the mid-century modern vibe. Finish the look with large, rounded floor and table lamps, indoor plants and patterned rugs. Ceramics were also popular.
You’ll find mid-century furniture in Australia was typically manufactured using new wood choices including Queensland maple and teak (particularly teak imported from Burma and Thailand), through to American walnut in the 1960s. Beech, teak and european oak featured heavily in imported pieces.
What wood is that?
4. Arrange your space
It’s important when pulling off any interior design style or trend that you pay close attention to size of your furniture and the heights of your furniture. A balanced space with have a good mix of highs and lows. That is, your eye is draw upwards in some places, and downwards in others.
You’ll also need a focal point for every room, such as a large mirror, a painting over a fireplace of furniture all angles towards a statement coffee table, etc. Try putting plants into plant stand to give them extra height, team a low sofa and coffee table with a sky-scraping floor lamp.
Pop a credenza that sits snugly ‘in-between’ at medium height for an even keel.
5. Dress your walls right
Most mid-century homes have white walls and open-plan layouts. You can take it one step further with some era-appropriate wallpaper, or by adding a graphic artwork to an empty wall that reflects the colours of your colour scheme.
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