And for years, I really hated the style, maybe because I got a large dose of it as a kid. My parents got married in the late 1950's. They bought a new house in Colorado and furnished it in the latest style - Danish Modern. And that stuff was made to last! My earliest memories of it was when it had been relegated to the basement playroom when I was growing up. When Richard and I got married and had an apartment to furnish - you guessed it, my parents gave us the old furniture. We used it for several years and then gave it to friends and family. And my niece is still using a bedroom set for her kids - 4 generations, wow!
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And as the MCM trend has intensified over the last few years, I was highly resistant. Been there.....done that! But lately, I've found myself drawn back to the style.
So I decided I should learn a bit more. And where better to get an appreciation for the style than at the Danish Museum of Design in Copenhagen.
There's something about the simple lines of the furniture and lighting that are starting to appeal to me - particularly as it's recreated for the 21st century. Look at these chairs from the museum! Such clean, beautiful lines! They're classics for a reason!
So I decided I should learn a bit more. And where better to get an appreciation for the style than at the Danish Museum of Design in Copenhagen. There's something about the simple lines of the furniture and lighting that are starting to appeal to me - particularly as it's recreated for the 21st century. Look at these chairs from the museum! Such clean, beautiful lines! They're classics for a reason!
And I've been wow'd by some of the MCM houses I found on Houzz. What a vibrant space!
Or this living room. Look at the clean lines and integration between the indoors/outdoors - a real hallmark of the design approach.
Or this living room. Look at the clean lines and integration between the indoors/outdoors - a real hallmark of the design approach.
Midcentury Living Room by Berkeley Architects & Building Designers Koch Architects, Inc. Joanne Koch
I wish I could find a MCM house in SoPo to renovate. I think it would be a blast!! But we don't seem to have many examples in our area.
So what are your thoughts? Are you a fan? Or not? Is MCM for you?
So what are your thoughts? Are you a fan? Or not? Is MCM for you?
Like you I disdained it until recently. We stayed in a VRBO in Palm Springs last year however and i began to appreciate the simplicity of the whole MCM decor that is prevalent out there. The appeal might also be related to the need to simplify our homes and lives as we boomers look for LESS stuff and more adventure.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mention that. The National Association of Home Builders just published a survey on home styles and they found that baby boomers are starting to like contemporary and MCM. And it's for the things you mention - streamlining and doing something new and different!
DeleteSome of the colora and lines I like but not all. I don't think I could have a house full of it. The durability you spoke of is wonderful. durability is a plus when raising children, especially boys.
ReplyDeleteYes I do like some of the Mid-century furniture and architecture and agree it would be very fun to rehab one for today's living
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a blast!!!
DeleteSorry, not a fan. I prefer something with a little more character, this is too plain for me.
ReplyDeleteI know it is popular but I'm not a huge fan of MCM aside from a few of the (very) high end shelving units. It might be because of all the bad knockoffs of the style that were done in the 1960s and 1970s, or maybe because I don't feel it looks comfortable. I'd still tune in if you did an MCM style project though.
ReplyDeleteWell hopefully I'll get to do one eventually!!!
DeleteI think you could do an amazing MCM-style house, and it wouldn't necessarily need to be an authentic house of the period. I've seen people doing great loft apartments, ranches, etc. in the spirit of a new MCM aesthetic. Can't wait to see if you try it! I admire what you do and love seeing you bring life back to these homes. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteYou bring out a great point. It's not necessary to be slavish to the MCM originals - an updated interpretation would probably be a lot better!!
DeleteSome of it is appealing to me because I am so short, 5' even, and those chairs are comfortable for me to sit in. I am always attracted to MCM occasional chairs because they are solid, about $10 at the thrift store and they seemed to be made for me. The plastic chairs, that harsh orange, yellow, green and tomato red are all turn-offs, however. Those colors are the same reasons I never liked the Dr. Suess books! Couldn't stand the graphics. What I like about those houses are they are usually on generous lots with mature trees and decent sized rooms. They can be very cold in Winter with so much glazing, it's a big cost I think. I have one very old house and the rest are 70's ranches. I think I'd like a MCM to work with too!
ReplyDeleteI've never liked it, for all the reasons you never liked it (we're about the same age apparently!), and still can't get on board. I've seen where a very few pieces can look good in a minimalist setting, but most of it is just cold, ugly and cheap-looking. And I also agree with Vanessa about Dr. Seuss!
ReplyDeleteSometimes some fascinate buyers.
ReplyDelete