Mid Century Modern Furniture Calgary

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Calgary

Furniture made in the mid-century modern style has a history dating back to the 1950s; at the time, it was thought to be a futuristic style, whereas now, it is seen as a throwback vintage furniture style.

However, that does not change the fact that it has become one of the more lasting and timeless furniture design trends of our times.

Calgary as a city is one where people definitely like to keep up with the trends. Recent interior design and showhome trends completely confirm this. If you are looking for furniture of your own, and like this style, Calgary Interiors can help you achieve your desired look.

If you are in the hospitality industry or want some custom pieces for your office foyer we also do that. We love helping people get the exact look that they are going for.

Also Read – Looking for custom furniture?

What Is Mid Century Modern Furniture?

Mid-century modern furniture is a vintage furniture style that became popular in the 1950s through the 1970s. It is known for simple, sleek designs and juxtapositions of materials, and its classic appeal has made it spike in popularity again today.

Design Details

Mid-century modern furniture has certain details that are common in its pieces. These designs are smooth, utilizing sleek lines and organic shapes. Some of the common details of this style are the skinny, peg legs found on pieces such as dressers or sofas. This type of vintage furniture is also simplistic, not using a lot of over-the-top details and instead favouring more clean lines and a more classic and functional approach.

Materials

Another hallmark of mid-century modern design is that it utilized a wide variety of materials.

For example, furniture designers began to experiment with using malleable materials such as fibreglass, aluminum, steel, and plastic. This is not to say that they no longer used wood–wood was still a common material in mid-century modern furniture as well.

What made their approach to these more industrial materials so different than in the past was that they did not try to disguise the materials or present them as anything else. These materials were left bare and visible, rather than covered up with batting or fabric. These materials are still used in the mid-century modern style furniture of today.

Colours

Mid-century modern furniture is known for embracing explosive, vibrant colours.

Pops of colours such as red, aqua, mustard yellow, olive green, and tangerine were common when this vintage furniture style was first coming onto the scene.

However, neutrals and earthy tones such as brown, grey, or white are also seen in mid-century modern furniture. They serve to ground the design and contrast the more colourful accents for a better-curated space.

History of Mid Century Modern Furniture

Mid-century modern furniture has a history dating back to the 1950s and was influenced by cultural and current events of the time. Interestingly enough, it was not even known as mid-century modern furniture until later. 

Coining the Term “Mid Century Modern”

The term “mid-century modern”, used to classify this furniture design style, actually did not emerge until 1983. The art historian and writer Cara Greenberg was the one to originally coin the term with the title of her book, Mid Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. Now, mid-century modern is a widely recognized phrase and style.

Inspiration

Furniture designers were inspired by Danish modernism and Bauhaus, a German style of design. After World War II, the Americas were also seeing lots of immigrants who were familiar with and practiced in this design style. The baby boom and the subsequent need for housing with modern furniture additionally influenced this new era of exploration of materials and technological advances in design.  

Mid Century Modern Furniture Today

Mid-century modern furniture is one of the more lasting and timeless design styles. It was popular when it originally came onto the design scene and is now making a comeback with revival pieces and beautiful, stylish reproductions.

Popularity

The pieces that were once popular in the 1950s and 1960s are still being reproduced today, and some are even more popular now than they were when they made their debut. Other pieces are being reimagined by retailers and re-released, updated to reflect the current tastes of consumers.

The reason for this enduring popularity is because pieces in this design style were designed for a way of living that has not changed over the years– we still want tons of storage, portable pieces, and everything on a smaller scale. This can be especially helpful for those living in large cities and small apartments, one does not have to sacrifice function and style to save space. In fact, furniture in this style helps to maximize a space’s potential. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of furniture is mid-century modern?

Mid-century modern furniture typically refers to designs that combine sleek lines with organic shapes, using new materials or methods to reimagine classic pieces. At the time, these pieces were considered futuristic.

What year is mid century modern furniture?

Mid-century modern furniture spanned a time frame from the 1930s to the late 1960s or very early 1970s. However, mid-century modern furniture is usually associated with the years occurring between the mid-1950s to the early 1960s.

Is mid-century modern furniture timeless?

Yes, this furniture design style is considered one of the classics. It has timeless appeal and is instantly recognizable.

How can you tell if furniture is mid-century?

Many mid-century furniture items will have original labels somewhere on the piece, such as in the drawers. If you are looking to determine if something is made in the mid-century style, but is not necessarily an original, look out for the design’s distinct style elements such as clean lines or peg legs on dressers or tables.

What is mid century modern furniture made of?

Mid-century modern furniture experimented with many unusual materials for the time, such as plastic or steel. When it comes to the wood being used for this design style, teak was often used, and its rich, dark colour paired well with the bold colours used in mid-century modern design. Another common wood that was used for this style of furniture is oak.

Is mid century modern furniture still in style?

Yes, mid-century modern furniture is currently still in style and on-trend. The way the furniture fits into small spaces, its functionality, and its approachable lines contribute to its staying power in the design world. Even vintage furniture pieces can be refreshed, sometimes they just need new upholstery to get back to looking new again.