apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Grace--

I don't know if your friend has suggested this - but your chairs would look more inviting if there were tables with lamps and little accessories next to them - and maybe even an odd or quirky footstool or a magazine basket.

He's right - sitting alone in empty space, there's nothing to draw you to these chairs: no place to place a cuppa tea or a book, no light to read by in the evenings - no life.

I love mid-century modern. But it's so trendy now, it kinda makes it less appealing and less unique (for me, anyway). I guess the masses will always swarm to the next trendy thing. I think a few really well made, pieces are all you need...

The 'befores' are gorgeous.

There is a reason mid-century modern is trendy...because it's hot, and has proven the test of time. It will always make sense to me to have a "piece" of modern that fits in my room, but is not the be-all of decorating. I certainly love to mix and match.

I agree, the "before" photos were scary. Looking forward to seeing more of what you have done to change things.

WHen I clicked on the before it was to the curtain swap. Either way I love chairs and midcentury - so can I have your spare chairs?

I don't get why anyone would suddenly eschew something they loved just because it became the latest trend. This suggests that the love was merely esoteric posturing. If you love something beautiful, why not continue to love it wehther its in or out of vogue?

In any case, I really appreciate this post. I've wondered why I've felt vaguely defiant about loving my mix of antiques, MCM, and contemporary modern -- I felt like I was sticking up for my underdog furnishings in spite of better design. This is very validating! I love my combo of fine things from different decades and think my style is beautiful, warm, and comfortable.

I think the main problem here isn't their design -- which is obviously great -- but overexposure. They're beautiful, but can also be rather boring and expected. For that reason I always try to find new pieces that echo mid century without being so obvious. Easier said than done for there's a lot of crap out there.

It seems rather obvious, but the reason people "jump on trends" and go overboard is because they are looking for a little guidance to make what can be a tedious process fraught with expense and doubt a little easier.

If you equate interiors with the purchase of a car (an equivalent investment in utility, lifestyle and personal style), most people go to a car dealer, pick a model, color, features, sign on the dotted line and are done. It's not a life adventure. It's not 12 months or more of paint swatches, fabric swatches, measuring tape and furniture catalogs. They don't go and buy the car piece by piece, feature by feature and cross their fingers that the whole thing will hang together. But that, for most of us, is how our homes are furnished.

Most of us who read AT have a certain affection for this process, but frankly most people have better things to do. If they have a little money, a general appreciation of midcentury, and not a lot of time to work on their homes, it is much easier to just turn the whole thing into a midcentury museum than to sit and worry whether pieces from different eras "play well together." It's a sort of "room in a bag" process that allows people to get on with their lives and feel confident that a room works.

1. I will never complain that there is too much mid-century.
2. I am in love with the Saarinen armchair pictured above, in plum.

I'm confused about what was so wrong with the before. I'd just get rid of the pillows and the striped rug and call it a day.

The owner of the house featured in the photo above (according to Living etc) is an executive at Knoll. No wonder they have such a great collection of mid century modern furniture in their house. I imagine the design perks that come with that job.

Ugh.
Iconic chairs.
Next it will be Ironic chairs.

Well, this is exactly the sort of thing that made me let my Dwell magazine subscription expire: every gosh darn house tour was comprised of the same things: midcentury modern and Ikea. Oh, and lots and lots of wood paneling and glass boxes. Why not feature new, relevant design talent like Patricia Urquiola?

i like mid century modern if it's used sparingly. there are some undeniably beautiful pieces. but if you do your whole house in it it begins to become a bit oppressive. i find it so twee when overdone... oh god, mid-century furniture and vintage framed etsy prints of fat little birds and little red riding hood make me want to PUKE. its just... everywhere.

In terms of incorporating MCM, I find that I sometimes can't see the forest for the trees. It's like IKEA catalog syndrome -- things look kind of great in the catalog (I'm talking styling not quality here), and you put it in your dingy apartment and surprise: your apartment still looks dingy. If only we all had high ceilings, abundant natural light, views of greenery, pristine wood floors, etc. I think a similar thing happens with whatever latest interior design trend. Now that MCM is trendy we are constantly bombarded with images of beautiful homes filled with MCM furniture. If only you had that womb chair, your apartment too might look like a cavernous loft! It's like clothing: You see it on a beautiful body and you think that clothes have the power to transform a body, when it's really the other way around.

The homes I am the most taken by are the ones that are dingy (like mine) but seem cozy and unfussy without the use of pricey items. I am very impressed when somebody's home makes me think twice about a piece of furniture that I would otherwise have overlooked, and doubly impressed when they do it without the "I found this in the garbage" bragging.

Personally, I do not like mid-century. Yes, it's beautiful, yes, it's classic--it's what I saw in every house growing up and it's boring. I don't understand why people are stuck on the same thing that's been 'hot' for the last sixty years.

gregny: seconded. The basics of space and lighting are more important than the furniture, which is more like detailing. Beware the marketing!

I actually like the before pictures, other than the black floor lamp (which looks very dorm-room to me) and the pillows in the lounge chair. I only count two iconic chairs, the Eames potato chip chair and the Eames ottoman. The sofa looks like generic contemporary, which works as a nice stylistic neutral.

I do agree with an above comment that suggested occasional tables, at least next to the lounge (otherwise, where do you set down your drink and book?).

Also, too many people go on this no-logo crusade that equates a name brand with pretentious and status-conscious. There is value in a brand apart from its appearance... it's called reputation and reliability. I've bought enough cheap poor-quality furniture that looked good at first, but didn't last more than a year or two. If you go with a manufacturer that has been around a while and has a reputation for quality, you get function in addition to looks. And that's the real "green" way to do it, not buying crap made of recycled material that will go to the landfill shortly.

I do not like MCM anything. I don't feel happy when its around...it makes me a little sad. I know its suposed to be chic, but I don't want to look at something and think about it too much...you know?

I like things that remind me of a cottage, or of a romantic novel, or a science lab...not of The Wonder Years.

I know it seems ubiquitous now, but midcentury has NOT been 'hot' for the last sixty years. Twenty years ago, it was about as out as it was possible to be. Look at any 90s decorating mags -- Mission style was the MCM of the 90s. And just like Mission, MCM will continue to rise in value until most people are priced out of the market, and something else will become hot. Anyone around here remember $100,000 price tags for Stickley pieces? That's WHY people started buying cheap MCM pieces that no one wanted.

Yes, MCM will eventually go away for all but the dedicated collectors. The fun part is guessing what will be next. My vote would be for hard-edged 70s 'Industrial', but it'll probably be 60s Colonial instead!