Mid-century modern style originated in Europe and the United States in the late 1940s and remained popular through the 1970s. It is known for its use of clean lines, organic materials, and neutral pallet with pops of bold vibrant accent colors. The style centered around bringing quality pieces to all – using materials embraced and reimagined during WWII like bent plywood, molded plastic, fiberglass, and steel.
This style is a big proponent of natural materials – blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. In these homes you will often find big windows, lots of warm light, natural stone, and house plants galore! Mid-century design prioritizes function but does so without sacrificing style and design. Dining tables have stowable leaves, sideboards have a plethora of storage, and dining chairs are built to last through meal after meal. These pieces are known for their iconic low-profile designs, and are easily recognized by tapered leg styles and distinctive molded and carved embellishments that keep them understated but elevated. Furniture pieces are commonly crafted from teak, walnut, and rosewood and add in unique fabrics and leather to soften and add pops of color and comfort.
At the end of the day, this style is one to come home to, pour a drink, put on a record and relax in. It is effortlessly cool – minimalist, warm, and inviting, and an ode back to the days before smart phones, cool lights bulbs, and 24-hour news cycle.
Here at Kudzu, we are big fans of this era of design. Lots of our Mid-Century comes straight from Europe – sourced by Kate & George (Kudzu’s owners and buyers) – with pieces coming from Denmark, Sweden, and England. Many other pieces are brought in by our wonderful dealers who work tirelessly to find the very best pieces around, giving them new life before bringing them in to find their new home with one of you. We hope you have fun exploring our current selection, and if we don’t have it this time, don’t forget to check back in!
For more pictures and examples of items we have had/ may still have, head over to our Mid-Century Modern section to view the products listed. We do not sell on our website, but you can always give us a call to ask if an item is still available.