Mid-Century Modern era furniture pieces; like the womb chair, are characterized by its clean lines, gentle curves, and organic shapes. This style originated mid-20th century. Hence its name, but thanks to its elegant simplicity and timeless aesthetic, Mid-Century Modern furniture is still highly popular in contemporary interior design today. We would be taking you on a journey, as we reveal the 10 most popular mid-century modern era pieces.

History of mid-century modern era

While there is some debate over its exact year of origin, most can agree that this style dates back to the mid-1930s through to the mid-1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that the label ‘Mid-Century Modern’ became a household phrase. Art historian and writer, Cara Greenberg; coined the term with the title of her book, ‘Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s’. Fast forward over 60 years, Mid-Century Modern is now widely recognized as a term and significant design movement by the general public, museums, furniture enthusiasts and scholars. As for the style itself, Mid-Century Modern was highly influenced by Danish Modernism and the German school of design, in Bauhaus. With the changes that World War II brought to Germany, America suddenly found itself with immigrants that were both trained and practiced in this style of design. This combined with the baby boom and the urgent need for housing with modern furniture birthed a new era of technological advances and exploration of new material in furniture and interior design. Materials like molded plywood, plastic, glass, metal, and fiberglass were suddenly commonplace. Designers, such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Herman Miller, Arne Jacobsen, and Eero Saarinen, soon found a good use to these newfound materials.

Mid-century modern decor

Mid-Century Modern is a design philosophy that emerged in the mid-20th century, as mentioned earlier. It blends smooth and straight lines with highly varied textures, materials, and colors. In today’s market, you may also see Mid-Century Modern furniture labeled MCM for short. Some of the characteristics that define this décor style are:

Simplistic appearance: Ornate elements are used sparingly if at all.
Functionality: Abides by architect Louis Sullivan’s philosophy, Form follows function.
Organic shapes: Uses shapes found in nature that tends to lead to soft curves.
Geometric shapes: Utilizes basic shapes for clean lines and sleek edges.
Diversity: Embraces a large range of materials and colors.

10 most popular modern furniture pieces

Eames lounge chair and ottoman
The Eames lounge chair was part of the original Charles and Ray Eames collection for Herman Miller. It is one of the most iconic modern chairs and furniture designs of this era. It was created in the 1950’s with light brown/black leather and a black base. It is continually being produced today with many different materials such as molding fiberglass and recycled milk jugs. The original design was conceived using a 19th century club chair and a used baseball mitt.

Arco floor lamp
The Arco floor lamp by Flos was launched in 1962. This piece has made appearance in movies like Diamonds are Forever and The Italian Job. Not only does this lamp look good, it is the emblem of smart, practical and minimalist design. The Castiglioni brothers thought of every last detail when designing this lamp for Flos. Highlights include a smooth marble base with a hole for easy lifting as well as a spun aluminum reflector that provides indirect and direct light from the shade.

Wassily chair
The Wassily chair was inspired by the metal frame of a bicycle. Marcel Breuer schemed up this iconic chair while he was an apprentice at the Brauhaus. Breuer originally designed the Wassily chair in 1925—years before the mid-century movement started—but it has since become the epitome of sleek, modern era design. He originally designed the chair for himself, but made one for his classmate, painter Wassily Kandinsky. He named it after his friend when the chair was rereleased in 1960.

Saarinen dining table
The Saarinen dining table was part of the Pedestal Collection designed in 1957. Saarinen resolved the “ugly, confusing, un-restful world” underneath tables and chairs. The design principle is a circular base from which a stem extends upward to a large fiberglass top. The fiberglass top is 1″ in thick and heavy, giving balance to the unique table base. True to its original design the metal base is a perfect combination of function and form. Both the fiberglass top and metal base are coated with a scratch and chip-resistant finish. A velvet floor protection pad is attached to the bottom of the base to prevent it from scratching floors.

Barcelona chair
The Barcelona chair was inspired by the designs originally created for the International Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. It is also referred to as the Pavilion Chair because it was entered in the German Pavilion, at the 1929 International Exposition. Each of its square leather is hand-selected, piped, tufted and individually sewn by expert leather craftsmen. The cushions rest upon a suspended network of black leather belt straps at the base. The 12mm solid core stainless steel frame is made using classic welding and bending techniques and hand buffed to obtain mirror-like shine.

Florence knoll sofa
The Florence knoll Sofa features a wonderfully sleek design. It’s a perfect place to rest and relax, or to provide plenty of seating. Its legs are polished stainless steel. The contemporary design includes three cushions with buttons creating a vertical and horizontal tuft. The steel reinforced frame gives way to its visible legs. With plenty of room for everyone, the sofa measures just over 80” long, and is 32” deep.

Lc3 Le Corbusier sofa
The LC3 Le Corbusier sofa is both sturdy and comfortable. The chrome plated tubular steel frame is both functional and aesthetic, complimenting and accentuating the rectangular shapes represented in the design. It’s deeply padded seat cushions and backrests allow surprisingly soft seating. The LC3 Le Corbusier sofa is available in cashmere and leather upholstery and is produced in a variety of colors.

Noguchi coffee table
The Noguchi Coffee Table was designed by Isamu Noguchi. It is an icon of modern classic furniture, originally designed for the President of the Museum of Modern Art in 1944. The Noguchi Coffee Table’s simple, yet beautiful design is made of only three pieces – a glass top, and two pieces of sculptured wood joining for the base. The two simple, smoothly shaped pieces interlock to form a tripod that supports a thick slab of transparent glass.

Marshmallow sofa
The Marshmallow sofa is another fabled design of George Nelson, who is famed as one of the fathers of Modern era furniture. The idea for this sofa arose when an inventor brought Nelson a cheap plastic disc which he insisted could be used as a seat. Nelson and an apprentice stuck 18 discs on a steel frame and the basic Marshmallow Sofa was born. It went into production in 1956. Upholstered in leather, the round seat and backrests, reminiscent of soft puffy marshmallows provide an amazing degree of comfort.

Arne egg chair
The Egg Chair was designed in 1958 by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen. The Egg chair has been a mid-century staple for decades for its uniqueness. The Egg chair was originally designed for the Radisson SAS hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark; along with many other furniture pieces that Jacobsen designed. Its refined curves provide comfort and a level of privacy for a full luxury experience. The Egg Chair swivels 360 degrees and tilts back by 45 degrees with the tilt resistance adjusted using the lever at the base of the chair.

If you’re looking to upgrade or remodel your space, we have all these furniture and more at Regency Shop. Our collection boasts of the most affordable top quality pieces you can find. We also have financing options for you, if you choose to pay in installments. Go on now and shop with us, you would be glad you did!

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Mid century modern chair

The modern chair is something perhaps taken for granted, but its evolution and development is a direct reflection of the social and economic status of society. In the 60’s, lives began to change with scheduling and demands in the work environment and a relatively sudden realization of more disposable income. With the increase in technology, new styles and materials were introduced.

Mid century

The mid century era dates back to the mid-1930s through to the mid-1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that the label ‘Mid-Century Modern’ became a household phrase. Art historian and writer, Cara Greenberg; coined the term with the title of her book, ‘Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s’.

Mid century dining table

Many mid-century dining tables are made of wood. Marble or glass options are also available too. The design is very simple, and lines are straight or well curved. There aren’t too many unique decorative elements to these dining tables, and most variations will be in terms of wood tone or materials used. You can find square, round, and rectangular dining tables in the mid-century style. Tulip tables are one type of dining table commonly associated with the mid-century modern era.

Mid century modern decor

Mid-Century Modern is a design philosophy that emerged in the mid-20th century, as mentioned earlier. It blends smooth and straight lines with highly varied textures, materials, and colors. In today’s market, you may also see Mid-Century Modern furniture labeled MCM for short. Mid-Century Modern is a design philosophy that emerged in the mid-20th century, as mentioned earlier. It blends smooth and straight lines with highly varied textures, materials, and colors.

Mid century modern style

As for the style itself, Mid-Century Modern was highly influenced by Danish Modernism and the German school of design, in Bauhaus. With the changes that World War II brought to Germany, America suddenly found itself with immigrants that were both trained and practiced in this style of design.

Mid century modern interior design

Mid-Century Modern era furniture pieces are characterized by its clean lines, gentle curves, and organic shapes. This style originated mid-20th century. Hence its name, but thanks to its elegant simplicity and timeless aesthetic, Mid-Century Modern furniture is still highly popular in contemporary interior design today.

Modern furniture

Mid-century modern furniture is often very simple with sleek lines and gives more priority to functionality and uncluttered spaces. Chairs and tables will often consist of simple materials held up by wooden or metal pin-style legs.

Mid century modern furniture

Mid-Century Modern furniture pieces are characterized by its clean lines, gentle curves, and organic shapes. This style originated mid-20th century. Hence its name, but thanks to its elegant simplicity and timeless aesthetic, Mid-Century Modern furniture is still highly popular today.

Mid century modern

While there is some debate over its exact year of origin, most can agree that this style dates back to the mid-1930s through to the mid-1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that the label ‘Mid-Century Modern’ became a household phrase. Art historian and writer, Cara Greenberg; coined the term with the title of her book, ‘Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s’.

Scandinavian furniture

Scandinavian furniture features simple silhouettes, clean lines and an emphasis on use of natural materials. Whenever possible, there’s also a focus on choosing carefully-made, artisanal products over mass-produced pieces.