Vintage style comes and goes, much like sartorial fashion. Vintage style is a big family that belongs to the past but generally not so distant, a good hundred years at most. If we go back further, we tend to fall into the classic. While a few years ago, the Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles had made a big comeback in our interiors, it is the turn of the mid-century style. Between the 40s and the 60s with functional furniture, a look recognizable from afar and lots of character.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY FURNITURE?
The 50s furniture reminds us of the childhood and the interior of our maternal grandparents. This family of furniture, whether for living rooms or not elsewhere, has very easily identifiable characteristics:
- A minimal and angular look, there are no unnecessary frills, simplicity is essential and we will appreciate the functional character of the piece of furniture (I will come back to this shortly);
- Often dark varnished natural wood (as opposed to the light essences often found in Scandinavian interiors);
- Special attention to the base of the furniture: compass, hairpin. And if they are straight, they will be fine and discreet;
- Stylish but simple furniture handles. We find the simplicity of aesthetics even in the choice of handles. An efficient design you could say;
- Sliding doors offer new functionality to the furniture. No need to provide extra space in front of the cabinet to open the doors since they slide:
- Still, in the idea of functionality, some models are in a compact format that takes up little space. Mid-century furniture can easily be found in small dwellings (it was at this same time that we rebuilt – at least in France and in Europe – and that we saw the first collective housing in the suburbs rise from the ground. )
HOW TO INTEGRATE A MID-CENTURY PIECE OF FURNITURE INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM DECOR?
By their style and color, we find vintage/mid-century modern furniture to have a strong decorative power.
We really like the “total look” made up of vintage furniture and decor also from the 1950s. We have the feeling that we are entering another space-time, that we are leaving the mess contemporary world at the door, which right now is really tempting. This total look will be made of several pieces of furniture in the vintage style but also a choice of colors and particular coverings, for example, a wooden wall covering.
For a Vintage / Modern mix & match, you can easily give personality to a white living room with a sideboard or a bookcase. This type of furniture goes perfectly with green plants. You can also add a touch of charm with a mismatched mid-century armchair or a new coffee table.
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