History of Mid Century Modern Design
Cara Greenberg used the term “Mid-Century Modern” to define a certain style of architecture and furniture design popular in the United States following WWII. The origins of this design, as well as the accessories that go with it, can be traced back to a time when American troops returned home, the economy was booming, and new homes were being erected across the country.
This period produced a plethora of innovative design concepts that changed building and furnishings depending on the available technologies. The mid-century furniture design style began to disappear fast as technology evolved and a new generation of children was born into the post-nuclear age. The mid-century modern design was no longer deemed “cool” by the 1980s, despite the fact that many individuals today grew up in houses and furniture from that era.
Art Décor, which dominated the preceding era following World War One in particular, should not be confused with mid-century modern style. In terms of the lines and angles utilised in bigger constructions, it did draw a few elements from the previous design.
The early days of the motherly mother style mid-century
The end of World War II ushered in significant upheaval across the United States, as returning troops and their wives swelled the need for new homes. As a result of the rapid influx, “tract housing” grew up in erstwhile rural regions on the outskirts of cities and towns. Tract housing was basic in design and took shortcuts in key areas to speed up the construction process.
The haste with which the homes were built, however, resulted in innovative designs that remained a characteristic of the postwar period, which lasted until the early 1970s. The emphasis on horizontal lines and a clean, open flow setting distinguishes mid-century modern architecture in residential projects.
The addition of a garage to store the car was one of the most significant improvements to the contemporary dwelling. This new addition to homes began in the 1920s as automobiles became more popular, but it really took off after World War II with tract housing. Car ports were another element that, depending on the overall design, may be used in place of garages.
Larger commercial constructions, in addition to residences, mirrored the mid-century modern design, which stressed clean lines that were often styled in terms of angles or sweep. The straight, rectangular designs that are recognised throughout the skyline were included in buildings such as the Riverplace Tower in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design. The main terminal at Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia, or the stunning North Christian Church in Columbus, Ohio, on the other hand, represent the sweep and angle of lines that truly stand out.
While Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps the most well-known character in mid-century modern architecture in terms of commercial and private projects, he was influenced by a number of other figures, notably the Bauhaus movement and the works of Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier.
Furniture and Mid Century Modern
Clean, basic designs that emphasised curves, geometric forms, and other angles, rather than the more complex and ornate appearance that was popular in both furniture and houses before to World War II, mirrored this aesthetic as well.
The iconic Egg chair designed by Arne Jacobsen or the Eames Lounge Chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames, which was frequently featured on television shows such as “Frasier,” are examples of Mid Century Furniture.
The Beginnings of Multipurpose
The fact that furniture design was no longer restricted to a particular purpose was perhaps the most striking trend in the industry. Instead of being restricted to the living room, kitchen, or den, chairs may be utilised for a variety of purposes. Tables became gathering areas for people to dine, write, stack magazines, play cards, and other activities. Furniture was no longer restricted to a single function, resulting in a more consistent appearance in many diverse households.
Even furniture that served a single task took on a more basic, uncomplicated appearance. For example, rather of being extravagant, coffee tables were sleek and streamlined in design, with an emphasis on lines and angles.
Lamps, clocks, glasses, and even artwork took on a more basic, uncomplicated style that mirrored the new era, in addition to dwellings and furnishings.
More comfort devices such as toasters, time-saving gadgets, barbeque sets, and the like were introduced as part of the simpler, multifunctional style, which either saved time and effort or helped create a more relaxed environment around the house. Stereos, sometimes known as “hi-fis,” were increasingly popular in the 1950s, when popular music exploded. Of course, all of these new appliances and accessories required somewhere to be put while they weren’t in use, so simpler closet designs were also created.
Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, and others are among the most well-known mid-century modern furniture and accessory designers.
Modern Style at the end of the century
The period of mid-century modern style was rapidly disappearing by the mid-1960s, as new tastes in design, furniture, and accessories grew more trendy, and new housing was slowing down. It’s no surprise that the Baby Boomer generation, which was born between 1946 and 1964, is associated with the mid-century modern aesthetic. The birth of a new generation, along with advancements in technology and materials, resulted in the construction of bigger homes that eschewed the traditional mid-century modern design that had previously been so popular.
Today, the mid-century modern design is seen as a vintage aesthetic that pays homage to the attitudes and practicality of the era. While it is a bygone age, it has not been forgotten, and remnants of that style continue to inspire today’s designers.