It is becoming more and more apparent that you can write your own rules when it comes to design. During my tenure writing these blogs, I have found that is can be very difficult to define a type of style. There are so many styles that are now being mixed together, making it hard to name someones personal style. So we are going to explore what the root of different design styles, starting with mid-century modern.
Over the past two years, we have seen a large resurgence of the midcentury modern style. “Midcentury modern” itself is a difficult term to define. It broadly describes architecture, furniture, and graphic design from the middle of the 20th century (roughly 1933 to 1965, though some would argue the period is specifically limited to 1947 to 1957). The timeframe is a modifier for the larger modernist movement, which has roots in the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century and also in the post-World War I period. Author Cara Greenberg coined the phrase “midcentury modern” as the title for her 1984 book, Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. In 1983, Greenberg had written a piece for Metropolitan Home about 1950s furniture, and an editor at Crown urged her to write a book on the topic. As for the phrase “midcentury modern,” Greenberg “just made that up as the book’s title,” she says. A New York Times review of the book acknowledged that Greenberg’s tome hit on a trend. It was an escape from ornate Art Deco period and result of the great depression, that simplified peoples design choices. They wanted the convenience of modern gadgets with simple streamlined design, thus midcentury modern was born.
Mid Century modern, first became popular in the style of furniture. With creations like the Eames Chair, the sputnik chandelier and the marshmallow couch, mid century modern taste really began to form. During this time period, there was much focus on the space program and that started to matriculate into every facet of design including architecture. These angular roofs and hard angled walls was very reflective of the these futuristic narratives and mentalities that were being shared.
Once again those styles are being reflected today. After the recession people are looking to streamline and simplify their life. Everyone is looking to the future, the future of technology and life and when ever you look to future you see a nod to the past, which is how we have seen such a resurgence of the mid century modern style. With warm toned woods, graphic and slightly masculine lines and a touch of whimsy, it is easy to pick out this design style.