Mid-Century Style: What Is It Exactly?
The Mid-Century style refers to the middle of the last century, in other words: the 1950s. It originated in the USA in the 1930s – in reaction to the Bauhaus, a European artistic movement which exerted a considerable influence on the design of the era. The Mid Century current lasted until the early 1970s. However, the 1950s marked its apotheosis.
For design experts and enthusiasts, the Mid Century style is considered to be a defining period, because it was rich in iconic creations, which were able to overcome trends to settle permanently in our interiors.
Among the emblematic creations of the Mid Century style, the Eames chair, still produced by Vitra. The current counts many other designers famous for their timeless creations: Florence Knoll, follower of the philosophy “Less is more”, and her famous sofa, or Arne Jacobsen, creator among others of the egg chair – the Egg Chair.
Brought up to date by the success of the Mad Men series, the Mid Century style is distinguished mainly by an elegant and functional design, and by a color palette that combines earthy undertones and very dynamic colors: yellow, red or orange. .
Mid Century Modern Style: Instructions
The Mid Century style is characterized from its creation by an avant-garde spirit, which gives pride of place to simplicity: pure lines, contemporary materials and a very chic design. To adopt it in your interior, beware of the overload, therefore! When it comes to furniture, in particular, we try to get to the point, systematically eliminating any superfluous element. Make way for pure lines, and creations that combine comfort and simplicity.
In the living room, we prefer a sofa and armchairs in vintage wooden design, both with comfortable seats. For a look decidedly inspired by the 1950s, avoid light wood and prefer a medium to dark essence. As for the colors, you are free to opt for classics – such as gray or khaki – or to move towards a more contemporary style by opting for the trendy colors of the moment, such as the color terracotta.
From the seats to the buffet, we love the walnut: the iconic finish of Mid Century furniture. We even dare the total look, for example by choosing a strictly identical finish for the sideboard and the chairs in the dining room.
In a soberly decorated interior, every detail counts. To successfully decorate your Mid Century interior, take care in the choice of lighting. The pendant lamp adorned with globes, in particular, is ideal for blowing a retro spirit in the bedroom or living room. For a 100% Fiftie’s spirit, go for an opaque glass. For a more contemporary touch, opt for smoked or transparent glass.
Both decorative and essential to treat the light atmosphere, table lamps are essential pieces in the office, living room or Mid Century bedroom. Focus on a clean design, and for materials such as smoked glass or brushed brass.
The essential cocooning touch is the carpet, of course! For a Mid Century spirit, we fall for the abstract patterns – with a predilection for a geometric and asymmetrical design.
The graphic and asymmetrical print is just as essential when it comes to Mid Century wall decoration. This is the opportunity to dare a resolutely retro touch of color, if the total look impresses you.
What colors for a Mid Century interior?
The Mid Century interior is associated with an iconic colorful palette: dynamic orange, red and yellow alongside khaki green, dark blue and the whole palette of neutrals evoking the earth.
Khaki green is one of the most iconic colors of the Mid Century style. Fresh and subtle, it is also one of the easiest colors to adopt at home. We particularly like it in association with leather – a material highly prized in the 1950s and which is still popular today.
The Mid Century style gives pride of place to dynamic colors, especially yellow. We especially love the spicy nuances, such as mustard yellow, which we like to associate with khaki green or turquoise blue.
Iconic, the Mid Century graphic wallpaper! We particularly love warm tones. If the red, yellow and orange trio seems a bit too excessive, prefer a variation on the theme of brown.
Want a more contemporary Mid Century decor? Snoop on the side of Scandinavian wallpaper, which offers colors a bit more peaceful. We take the opportunity to introduce a touch of gray blue, which stands out as one of the most essential colors of the season.
The ultra-trendy alternative for a Mid Century Modern interior is the terracotta color, which can be adopted on the wall as well as on the furniture or on the bed linen. For a very soft decoration, dare the camaïeu, by declining this color in balance between earth and fire from its shades the lightest to the darkest.