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The modern family

A popular style of design evident throughout the country is midcentury modern. In architecture and furniture, mid-century modern refers to the era from the 1930s to the mid-1960s. The style is identified by clean lines and an absence of ornamentation or embellishment. It is simplistic and minimalist and can be soothing to the eyes when compared to a busy decorated room in the home. Any room in your home can have this design style with the right simple, clean furniture and décor.

Popular TV shows such as Mad Men, I love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Twilight Zone and Bewitched — which were all set in the era of this style — depict mid-century modern design on the sets. The clean lines and streamlined focus of the design are apparent. This style can be achieved in your home with a few things to keep in mind. Remember that less is definitely more. Keep clutter at bay with out of the way drawers and cabinets to put things in, so that they are not strewn over furniture.

Choose simple chairs that aren’t overly stuffed or soft looking. Décor from the era like table lamps or floor lamps are great additions. Throw pillows can be used in a minimalistic approach to add some style and color to a living room. The lack of ornamentation is key. Keeping things clean and clear is the look you want to accomplish for this design style.

Colors and hues are up to your individual taste, and you can always look at examples with a quick internet search on the style. Colors like lime green, orange, yellow, red and blue are used with neutral tones in this design style. Mid-century modern furniture also looks like the styles from popular TV shows post World War II. Any film or television show from the era mentioned above will have fabulous examples of this style and the professionals where you are shopping for your furniture will be able to point you in the right direction.

The look can be summed up as modern, when compared to before the 1930s and even “space age” due to how much design styles changed up to that point. Even animated television or cartoons from the era will have mid-century modern style about them. A slightly updated version of the clean look of this style can be achieved with some digging for the right accent pieces. Smaller and less bulky furniture is the way to go. Mid-century modern has a “modern” appeal.

A nice way to add some punch to your mid-century modern kitchen and living room is to add some décor from the era like glassware, dishes, and other kitchenware in colors that mimic the 1930s to 1960s. Surfaces and walls are clean and clear of ornamentation, which makes it popular for people who do not like clutter. While lines are clean and clear, it doesn’t mean the look resembles a laboratory. It is softer and falls somewhere between an embellished and busy design and a doctor’s office. p