Minimalism. You’ve probably heard of it, right? Did you watch the documentaries during quarantine and get inspired? Me too! That’s why I worked with my buyers to pick out new pieces that are minimal in design, but maximize the fun to make your space truly unique! How, you ask? Mid-century modern. You’ve probably heard of that too, but weren’t sure exactly what it meant (or how to pull it off). Allow me to explain…
What is Mid-Century Modern? Simply put, Mid-Century Modern is a design movement that became especially popular following World War II, hence “mid-century.” It draws inspiration from a Scandanavian aesthetic and can be characterized by it’s sleek lines and shapes, unconventionally paired with natural elements and a balance of bold and neutral colors. Think Brady Bunch–okay, maybe not the whole house, but picture the staircase, stone entryway, and kitchen with it’s orange table and countertops. Subtract the “avocado” fridge, and these are the types of shapes, textures, and colors I’m talking about. Time to take it up a notch and bring it to 2021 with these seven simple tips:
- Clean lines and tapered legs
Tapered legs are by far the number one defining feature in Mid-Century Modern furniture. Take my Malibu Bedroom for example. It’s wooden legs narrow toward the bottom, and traditionally are long in length and at a slight angle.
2. Bold colors balanced by neutral tones
Go bold without going overboard. If you’re not ready to take the risk on a bright piece of furniture, test the waters with a throw blanket, accent pillow, or rug. Or, if you are, my Reece Accent chair doesn’t just come in gray–you can get it in orange or blue, too!
3. Brave patterns and prints
Just like with a bold color, you can make a big statement with large scale prints like this one on my Gracie Accent chair. Geometric patterns and shapes are an easy way to incorporate the retro-vibes for a mid-century feel.
4. Fewer, larger, installation-like pieces or plants
This is where that “minimalism” mindset comes into play! Fewer “things” visible on shelves or tables helps the beauty of a piece’s clean, straight lines stand out even more. Pack up the DVD’s you replaced with streaming services and replace the “clutter” feel with a calming feel by incorporating a large plant and maybe only one candle.
5. Natural Elements
We talked about color and prints, but what about texture? There’s room here for that too! Pulling in touches of natural elements, like stone and wood, brings some of the outdoors in but be careful–it could get out of control very quickly! Be strategic with placement and planful on how all of your out-side-the-box elements work together. They should all be unique, but still complementary.
6. Abstract Art
No gallery walls here! Any wall art should mirror the basic ideas we’ve covered so far–large in size, but not quantity, and simple in design, but bold enough to stand out.
And there you have it! Mid-Century Modern…easy, right? Check out these great looks for more inspiration, and share yours on social @mybobs
