The Modern Movement

Today people are doing all they can to get mid-century modern furniture or its contemporary copies.

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Filed under: Modern, Chairs, Art Deco Style, Furniture, Design Style

More than 50 years ago designers developed the modern movement and began producing furniture meant to occupy the homes of newly sprouting suburbia. With new materials and concepts, it was a revolution in design. Today people are doing all they can to get mid-century modern furniture or its contemporary copies.

During the middle of the last century, there was the promise of better living through technology that started around 1940 because of WWII. New materials were designed /discovered for the war effort and designers started to explore what they could do with them.
Furniture from this movement is known by many different names — minimalism, pop, organic, contemporary, high tech and futuristic. It also incorporates many new materials like fiberglass, different woods, plastic, Lucite, bent plywood and parachute webbing .

Mid-century modern reflects functionality, people looking to simplify and have fun with their lifestyle, and a willingness to try new technologies/materials.

Modern furniture became known for its simple lines and uncluttered form, which shunned the flowery decoration of period furniture. This sort of design austerity can sometimes seem uninviting, but comfort and usability are very much a part of modern pieces.

New moldable materials and an appreciation of natural shapes led to furniture that was as well rounded as it was well designed. The organic design movement used soft and curved edges to help complete a form, which wasn't seen before 1945.

Today there is definitely a reference to the good design that was happening in the 40s and 50s — it's hard to tell the difference between pieces from three or 50 years ago.

Modern furniture fits into any decor, from traditional to art deco.

Sew retro-style fabric into a tablecloth and put it over a larger black one to introduce a touch of modern style into your home.

neutral overstuffed sofa/seat/ottoman, charcoal gray rounded sofa
Todd Hase Furniture, Inc.

red and yellow plastic stackable chairs, bar with retractable doors, mod white and clear plastic chairs, tufted bench sleeper sofa (circa 1950), woven wood chest of drawers, red button seat and ottoman, yellow molded plastic coffee table, molded blue chair with white legs
R20th Century

bi-level '60s end table, white steel mesh chair, pink wave sofa
Lair

blue wings chair, uni-form black chair with wood legs
Totem