Why Mid-Century is Here to Stay

mid century modern

The fad always seems just about to end. And yet, each year the same pieces make their way into shop windows, catalogs, and homes. Even the NY Times published an article wondering if mid-century modern’s healthy grip on interior design would ever die. It seems that the tendency of decor trends to get exhausted and expire has just not happened with mid-century furnishings. Since its reintroduction and rise in popularity in the 1990s, it has remained the de facto in vogue style. What gives? When will it go?

It won’t. Here’s why.

Millennials are not as interested in their possessions as previous generations

This may be a bitter pill to swallow – but those waiting for the other shoe to drop may be out of luck. There very well may never be a new flurry of thrifting for some recently rediscovered gem, uncovering rare-market finds that will be resold for small fortunes. Millennials and the generations that will follow them are not lining up to digest the latest in consumer trends. They are more focused on life-balance and finding happiness in activities other than accumulating material wealth. Go figure. Nice furniture is one thing, and will always appeal; chasing design trends may be a more narrow focus moving into the future.

The trend is towards urban living – and it will be from now on

People are moving to cities because that is where the jobs are. That trend will hold for the foreseeable future as well. Mid-century modern furniture is made for exactly this application. Lightweight, mass-produced furniture for intimate interiors, it anticipates the mobile, urban professional moving from loft district to renovated apartment, from city to city, in search of more satisfying work. These designs fit the lifestyle of what is increasingly becoming the norm.

mid century modern

Mid-century has been paired down to a few classic designs

Mid-century designers got there first. Some designs were hits; others, not so much. When we take the period as a whole, there was some uncertainty over how to achieve the goals. But now the 20th century is over. We can look back easily and assess what “works.” Mid-century modern in your local furniture catalog isn’t just some stab in the dark at a successful piece. The reintroduced designs are the best at what they do – functional, durable, easy to maintain furniture. In other words, furniture deserving the title of classic. Sounds like you better start getting used to sitting in mid-century chairs.

Mid-century is no longer new, or even recently rediscovered

Maybe mid-century is a little too familiar. Maybe you see it simply as tired-yet-true. But the longer it stays around, the more it becomes largely invisible to the eye. This is especially true to the millennials that grew up in the reproduction boom. Without a little digging, those new to the market might not even realize there is a distinct name for this kind of furniture. Mid-century pieces can be seen in almost every window when walking around New York, whether it be a restaurant, an office, or a retailer. Many of these pieces have become simply “furniture.”

mid century modern

“Mid-century” doesn’t even exist even if modernism does

Mid-century has to go at some point, doesn’t it? Everything has their time, and that includes a time to go. Part of what drives the narrative around mid-century furniture is the recognition that as a trend, it is concocted. No designer from the 20th century anywhere at anytime in the world self-consciously described themselves as mid-century. The term was created when the pieces were reintroduced to the market. Its continued use is an acknowledgement that the style is intentionally made.

So is it really mid-century modern that we are tired of or is it ‘mid-century modern’? Interiors that adhere to a single, laser-like focus on creating catalog-worthy images of carefully distributed Eames chairs deserve the eye rolls they get. But the middle of the 20th century saw a giant leap forward in the use of materials and practices that still informs how mass-produced furniture is made. Furniture that lived up to the ideological promise of modernism in industry and art. The pieces still in use deserve our respect. Elsewhere, the potential for discovery remains large – in materials particular, with sustainable practices opening new doors. Mid-century pieces, on the other hand, will continue to find their way into spaces.

mid century modern

Embrace it

Rather than being a style, so-called mid-century design is more a catchall for well-remembered pieces from the past. With the potential to mean so many different things, mid-century at its broadest was designed to appeal to just about anyone. And it does. Just remember, you don’t have to go all out. One Tulip table in your rustic country house doesn’t ruin everything – in fact many of these pieces pair well with antiques. In the end, adding these pieces to your space just means you recognize good design. Just don’t over do it for those of us getting tired of the look. You’ll get a thank you from those of us exhausted by mid-century saturation.

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Cameron Stuart

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