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Like Paul Rand, Saul Bass is an undisputed icon of mid-century modernism in graphic design – and his corporate identity work for clients such as Bell System and Continental Airlines was some of the most memorable of the era. His movie title sequences and film posters were arguably even more groundbreaking, however, using simple, graphic visuals to evoke the essence of the subject. Rudolph de Harak was another leading exponent of mid-century modernism in graphic design.
Grow-at-home furniture
To the far right, red artworks from Bosco Sodi can be seen above a Mangiarotti marble table. This minimalist Tokyo home features muted dark tones and natural materials, as well as bespoke furniture created by the studios who designed it together. Before we delve into the details, let's first take a moment to understand what mid-century modern style truly encapsulates. As the name suggests, this design movement emerged in the middle of the 20th century — between the 1940s and 1960s. In this guide, we'll take a deep dive into the world of mid-century modern design, exploring its origins, key elements, and how you can incorporate this iconic style into your own home.
"Tiny homes are not the big solution to homelessness that we need"
Finally, you'll want to strike the right balance when it comes to incorporating MCM pieces into your space. Color was also a major component of midcentury style and was used in ways we had never seen before, often either as a bold accent or as a way to make a piece of furniture stand out singularly in a room, Thompson says.
What Is Midcentury Modern Style? Here's What You Should Know
From their furniture with Herman Miller to designing for IBM, the influence of Charles and Ray Eames over our contemporary understanding of midcentury-modern style cannot be overstated. At the center of it all is the Pacific Palisades home they designed and built in 1949. The house in fact consists of two raised steel-and-glass structures, both flaunting flat roofs, bright color blocks, and an intentional connection to its natural surroundings. Powerhouse set-design duo David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco saved and restored a 1956 bungalow in Santa Barbara, California, and their interior composition is a contender for most stage sets.
Open floor plans
A new front door and custom casework welcome guests, while a wallpapered powder room adds a touch of sophistication. In the kitchen, a wall was taken down to amplify flow and connection with the surrounding landscape. A mix of custom cabinetry and woodwork with modern elements like Nero Marquina Marble on the island, a coffee bar, and breakfast nook, enhance the space’s functionality.
The defining hallmarks of his projects are still considered integral to mid-century modern style to this day. These include the fusion of geometric and organic forms, through-lines into nature and across interior spaces, and intriguing but functional details. As well as architecture, Eero Saarinen was also a talented industrial designer. Designed in 1955 to complete his Tulip dining table, the classic Tulip chair has an unmistakably 'space age' vibe, and features the distinctive smooth curves and experimental materials characteristic of mid-century modern design.
Seven Southern Hotels for Midcentury Design Lovers – Garden & Gun - Garden & Gun
Seven Southern Hotels for Midcentury Design Lovers – Garden & Gun.
Posted: Thu, 27 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
It's easy to blend with other interior styles
Tour this classic William Krisel home in the Vista las Palmas neighborhood that has been brought back to life courtesy of interior designer Michelle Boudreau. This São Paulo apartment features vintage furniture and colourful patterned surfaces in a clever broken-plan interior. Pieces such as the wood-and-leather Boomerang chair by American architect Richard Neutra perfectly suit the style of the 1946 Louveira building. "Choose two or three pieces that work well for your taste and combine them with more contemporary pieces or other complementary styles like Art Deco," says Hodges.
Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design
This resulted in a shape that does not quite look like a “normal” chair or table. The names and design examples on this list of graphic design works, furniture, industrial design pieces, and architecture are by no means exhaustive. Many familiar with Mid-Century Modernism may even believe that some of the below works do not fit the “criteria” of the style and may instead fit better as International or Bauhaus style works of architecture or design. The MCM design aesthetic is modern in style and construction, aligned with the Modernist movement of the period. It is typically characterized by clean, simple lines and honest use of materials, and generally does not include decorative embellishments. Unlike frillier pieces or those with ornate detailing, midcentury modern furniture is much more straightforward.
But it takes only a few minutes of conversation with the actor to realize he has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the movement’s design philosophies, major architects, and—most importantly—where to buy houses that fit the description. “There’s just something really appealing about the symmetry and openness of things,” he says of the homes. The Los Angeles home of interior designer Giampiero Tagliaferri is an object lesson in the wonders of 20th-century Italian furniture and the affinities between Italian modernism and the midcentury-modern movement incubated in Southern California. Lastly, understanding the philosophy that underlies the mid-century modern movement is crucial.
Geometric and abstract patterns are commonly found in mid-century modern interiors. These bold patterns inject a playful and dynamic element into the design, breaking away from the monotony of solid colors. Whether it's a vibrant geometric rug or an abstract wallpaper, these patterns become focal points in the space, adding visual interest and creating a sense of energy and movement. His book cover designs for McGraw-Hill Paperbacks are standout examples of this style, communicating diverse and complex topics. His illustrations for Modern Nuclear Technology, for example, and Personality and Psychotherapy, use simple, graphic, overlapping shapes – a characteristically mid-century modern technique.
The resulting work is typically abstracted or simplified forms that no longer tried to achieve realism. The design process was an iteratively subtractive method where work became “purer” and simpler as it improved, instead of more detailed or busier. "I appreciate the rise of multipurpose furniture, which was adopted in this design ethos and is something we still promote as designers today," designer Becky Shea says. "Every piece serves a purpose and beyond, casting shadows on the days where rooms were beholden to being used once a year for a special occasion due to their ornate, elaborate design." "We saw a lot of wood, metal, glass, and vinyl, often used in tension with each other to create a unique look."
The use of such materials enhances the overall aesthetic appeal, making the design feel more authentic and grounded. Mid-century modern spaces are characterized by sleek, straight lines that create a sense of simplicity and elegance. These clean lines not only contribute to the visual appeal of the design but also promote a sense of order and balance. The absence of unnecessary ornamentation allows the eye to focus on the beauty of the form itself. The resulting formula made for living spaces that are still popular today and many of the ideals like transparency, openness, and a connection to nature are still considered pillars of good residential architecture. It still inspires architects today as we define our brand of “modern” buildings.
Take in the city’s most famous architectural landmarks from the top of a double-decker bus as the guided tour drives past William Krisel’s House of Tomorrow, Neutra’s Kaufmann Desert House, pictured above, E. Stewart Williams’ legendary “Twin Palms” estate and the Tramway Gas Station, now the Palm Springs Visitors Center. Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. This midcentury Palm Springs house is going way beyond the design playbook, and we’re not complaining. Give that retro look a contemporary spin with chic all-black seating and juxtaposing loud-and-proud wall bling—red triptych by artist Ko Kirk Yamahira—that anchors the fireplace wall.
A sense of openness and flow that is synonymous with mid-century modern design. “Mid-century modern design often includes open floor plans, creating a seamless flow between different areas of the home and allowing natural light to fill the space,” says Amanda Sims. This approach can not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also creates a more functional and versatile living environment. Many mid-century modern designers opted for a deliberately artificial aesthetic, rather than trying to imitate wood grain or other more traditional materials. As is obvious from much of the furniture of the time, this design style used natural or pure materials.
One of the most unique of the midcentury-modern homes, Lautner’s Elrod House was immortalized in the 1971 James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever. Cavelike but not dark thanks to some well-placed large skylights, the Elrod Home is almost verging on UFO territory. As KAA Design’s Grant Kirkpatrick told us, “Palm Springs is a bastion of classic midcentury architecture,” and this is probably among the desert town’s most imaginative structures. The Los Angeles Conservancy, a non-profit that seeks to save and protect historic buildings, warned of the impending demolition in January and said that the residence appeared “to be highly intact and a noteworthy example of modernist design from this era”. The single-story home and its grounds have since been cleared and in its place will be a massive home in the modern farmhouse style that has come to dominate US suburbs. It was most recently home to the late Hilda Rolfe, the widow of Sam Rolfe, co-creator of the series The Man from Uncle.
