MAD FOR MIDCENTURY

THIS MINIMALISTIC, SLEEK STYLE IS POPULAR FOR HOME DECOR

By Diane Krieger Spivak | Photo provided by Mod Landing

If you were a fan of the hit TV series “Mad Men” (or have binge-watched it since), you’ll likely remember the midcentury modern style of furnishings that dominated the show. The sleek, bare-bones style with slick hardware had already seen a resurgence prior, but the show furthered its appeal, and it’s still riding high. “It probably started the last 15 years, but certainly in the last 10 years it has just really taken off again,” says Elisa Scodro, co-owner of Ivy Lane, which sells the style at Vintage 71 Shops in Yorkville. “Much of the furniture is not only hard to find, it can be quite expensive.” Marcus Butler, who owns Mod Landing in Joliet, found out just how expensive when he saw a dresser on the side of the road about six years ago. It was in terrible condition, but the style spoke to Butler. “I didn’t even know what MCM was. I was going to do something with it, but instead I put it up for sale. The buyer drove to Chicago from Des Moines, Iowa, to get it, and it was a piece of (junk). That was when the lightbulb went on.” Within a year Butler quit his job and now repairs, refinishes and flips midcentury modern pieces. “It’s got clean lines. It’s a basic, nice sleek look,” he says. His biggest sellers, by far, are long, lowboy dressers. “Most of my customers don’t even use them for dressers. They use them for TV stands. They usually sell the first day I list them on Instagram.” Because it’s such a radical departure from conventional styles, and because it’s scarce as well as expensive, some customers want to ease into it, says Scodro. “Some of our customers want just a taste of it so they can incorporate it into what they already have.” One way to do that is with barware, Scodro notes. Cocktail glassware, trays and dishware are all popular and functional. “One designer I absolutely love is Georges Briard, who was well known for his designs. They’re fun, beautiful, and you can have them out for people to see.” “The barware has a unique look to it, with lots of graphics,” says Phyllis Barber, co-owner of Happenstance Goods, in Oswego. Barber points out a set of highball glasses with black and gold graphics. “The whole ‘Mad Men’ thing piqued the interest in it. Things people saw on the show they liked. Beer, highball and martini glasses. Cocktail shakers in chrome or with glass.” Midcentury modern is the exception to the rule when it comes to microwaves and dishwashers, says Barber, who cautions against putting dishes into either. Fans of the style are encouraged not to get too matchy-matchy, but to add individual occasional pieces to their decor. “Chairs are really, really popular; especially leather sling chairs,” says Barber. Other accessory pieces include cutout lamps, extremely tall lamps on lowboy tables, art glass, large sunburst wall clocks and ashtrays. “People look for MCM ashtrays not for cigarettes, but more for display,” adds Scodro. “There are orb ashtrays that are absolutely beautiful and they come in a number of different colors.” Butler says he doesn’t see interest in the soughtafter style waning any time soon. “It’s even gotten better over the pandemic,” he says.