MID-CENTURY MODERN: World Market Trend Report
Ever since the popular "Mad Men" television series began airing back in 2007, people started grabbing up anything (from furniture and art to fashion) that was or looked like Mid-Century Modern (MCM). At this year's Las Vegas Market (photos in this blog are from this year's Las Vegas Market) it was obvious, as expected, that MCM is not only growing stronger in current design use, but is a key trend for 2015.
MCM is an architectural, interior, product and graphic design style that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965, but for our purposes with the current trend regarding this design movement, we are speaking specifically of furniture of the late 50's and 60's.
"Open a design magazine or turn on a home decorating show these days, and it's clear: mid-century modern is hot. Think low-slung sofas, egg-shaped chairs and the set of Mad Men," says Andrea Hsu (NPR'S ALL THINGS CONSIDERED)
Zillow Digs comments that MCM elements "will be one of the biggest up-and-coming design styles for 2015."
"Multipurpose became a catchphrase," and addressed the needs of modern life, writes Cara Greenberg in the book Mid-Century Modern. "This new furniture stacked, folded and bent; it was rearrangeable and interchangeable; it nested and flexed. Chairs were designed to be pressed into service for a dozen different reasons. Tables were nonspecific, for eating, writing, or playing cards."
"It's blazing hot. It really is," says Eddy Whitely, an MCM furniture dealer in Baltimore. "People that are into it are into it."
"So who are those people?" asks Hsu. "Let's start with who they aren't: baby boomers. According to Stacey Greer, Whitely's business partner, "They just don't want to look at it anymore. They want something different. They grew up with it and their parents had bought it, so they want anything but that. It's definitely more of a younger, urban look."
According to Bobbye Tigerman, a curator of design at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, nostalgia is a big part of what's driving the trend. "People tend to like what their grandparents liked and reject the taste of their parents," she says.
"The beauty of mid-century product design lies in its clean lines and the absolute consideration of function," says designer Orla Kiely. "It wasn't ornate, but colour and pattern was strong."
Design Historian, Alessandra Wood, specifically addresses an iconic feature of MCM that is part of the draw. "With the popularity of MCM, the tapered leg has had an amazing resurgence in furniture and modern interior design. It's almost impossible to walk into a furniture store and not see at least one piece with tapered legs. Wondering where this vintage style came from and how it made its way back into modern interiors?"
The Las Vegas Market showed that many furniture manufacturers are offering reproductions of orginal MCM designs or creating new versions following the tradition of the style. However, those sticklers still searching out the genuine article are trawling 1stdibs.com, an online marketplace for antiques and MCM furniture, jewelry and clothing - and they were doing it before Mad Men came along. "It's an easy, simple shape that's still very accessible," says Clair Watson, 1stdibs.com's fashion director.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of one of the world's most glamorous cities, five luxurious Beverly Hills hotels have each created a unique new suite designed to transport visitors back in time to different decades in Beverly Hills history, referred to as "Suite 100." The mid-century modern Beverly Hilton hosts a Suite 100 that's a dream come true for Mad Men fans. Created by Tom Ford Design, the suite includes The Beatles, Alfred Hitchcock and Audrey Hepburn among its design inspirations. - Karin E. Baker (Huff Post)
"Modernism is at an all-time high, celebrating an incredible revival across the world," Stephen Collins offered." I think it largely comes down to a realization of just how well designed and thought-out the building and furniture of the mid-century really was. The train and bus terminals, office buildings, schools, hotels and airports of the mid-century, more often than not, embodied schemes that were well executed and well thought-out."
"Thanks to the Great Recession and 'austerity' replacing 'ostentatious,' the resurgence of MCM appears to be more than just a fad. As younger generations rebel against the ownership society of the baby boomers and embrace utility over clutter, it stands to reason that design preferences will continue to shift towards simplicity." - Cirios Blog
For more MCM inspiration check out my "MidCenturyModern STYLE" and
"MID-CENTURY Graphic" Pinterest Boards.
Check out these MCM knock-off, "grab-and-go" collections that are readily available:
