How to adopt mid-century modern style

The return of mid-century modern style shows no sign of slowing down. Popularized by the series Mad Men And The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, This beautifully retro trend seems here to stay. How can we update it without falling into pastiche? To guide us, interior designer Maude Coudé, from the Montreal studio Renard Flare, met us in two Hochelaga boutiques.

What is mid-century modern style?

This somewhat catch-all expression came into being when the best-seller was published Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950sby the author Cara Greenberg, published in 1984. It brings together all the styles that appeared in the 1950s to 1970s, most of them intended for mass production. A common denominator: simple shapes and contemporary materials such as plywood, aluminum and glass.

“There is a wide range of styles, mainly from Scandinavia and the United States. Its designers were looking for new shapes, while keeping clean and minimalist lines. They created functional, durable and affordable furniture for the average person,” explains Maude Coudé, a great fan of this style that has stood the test of time.

“The wonderful thing today is that you can give these pieces of furniture a second life by removing the old layer of varnish. Their real wood veneer can be sanded and oiled. And because plywood doesn’t work much, they have remained straight,” she adds.

Design icons

For design experts and enthusiasts, the mid-century modern style is considered a defining period, as it was rich in iconic creations that were able to break free from trends to become a lasting part of our interiors.

From this fertile era emerged exceptional designers. Their creations are today considered design icons. “They explored more sophisticated shapes, such as curves, with the aim of creating high-end furniture,” says Maude Coudé in front of a desk created by Danish designer Svend Åge Madsen, displayed in the window of the Montréal Showroom boutique.

Among the iconic creations of the mid-century modern style: the Cado wall unit in rosewood, created by the Dane Poul Cadovius. “It is a very versatile piece of furniture, which dresses a wall well. It can serve as a bookcase in a living room, a filing cabinet in an office or a bar in a dining room,” our guide emphasizes.

The focal point

A completely mid-century modern decoration is one possible avenue, says Maude Coudé. “If our house dates from those years, an interior in this style matches its architecture.”

However, a single piece of furniture can be enough to create a beautiful visual effect, she continues.

“For example, in a dining room, you can afford a beautiful table and chairs to create a focal point in the space. Then you pair them with contemporary lighting, sleek storage and light walls to separate them from the decor. This really draws attention to the graceful design of the furniture,” explains M.^me Coudé, happy to find a table and chairs by the Danes Finn Juhl and Hans J. Wegner at Montréal Moderne.

Keep it simple

Mid-century modern style is all about simplicity. To adopt it in your interior, you have to keep in mind the danger of overload. We focus on the essentials, systematically eliminating any superfluous elements. “We want the room to breathe,” reminds Maude Coudé.

The choice of decorative objects must therefore be judicious. In this respect, accessories with a refined shape allow you to support the style in a beautiful way, like an Art Deco lamp from the Swedish company Bergboms, discovered at Montréal Showroom.

“This is my favorite! It’s a beautiful example of an accessory with a simple, almost perfect shape, which creates a contrast with the straight lines of the furniture,” exclaims the designer.

From the heat

Clean doesn’t mean cold. Despite the austerity of its lines, the mid-century modern style inspires dynamism through the texture and warmth of the wood species used at the time, notes Maude Coudé in front of a row of desks and secretaries on display at Montréal Moderne.

“I often tell people who have new homes to not be afraid to put these kinds of pieces, just one or two, in their space. I love oak and contemporary woods. But these woods – teak, rosewood or walnut – bring a sense of warmth,” she says.

Accents

A few accessories can be enough to infuse a room with mid-century modern style, says the interior designer, showing photos of the bedroom of a couple among her clients.

“They wanted to integrate two bedside lamps found in a thrift store in Quebec City into their interior. They are perfect because they add an original touch to the room. The curtains are also reminiscent of the period,” emphasizes M.^me Elbow.

“We don’t have to completely redo our interior to incorporate mid-century elements,” she adds.

Still current

No need to spend your Saturdays rummaging through antique shops and classified ads to create a mid-century modern decor, says Maude Coudé. It is always possible to buy several pieces of furniture in this style in new condition and, as a bonus, “choose the color you want.”

“These are designs that have stood the test of time and are still in production,” she says, opening a photo of one of her clients’ living rooms. It features a beautiful white and red bubble chair, a Togo sofa, a white tulip table and a floor lamp by designer Herman Miller. “They are reproductions, except for the lamp.”

Playing with the eras

If there is one rule to follow, it is not to impose any rules on yourself. “You have to trust your instincts,” believes Maude Coudé, who likes to mix genres. “Playing with eras allows you to create a style that is a little more timeless,” she believes.

To illustrate her point, she takes a photo of the dining room of actress Bianca Gervais and host Sébastien Diaz.

“The chairs are authentic mid-century models and the light fixture is a reproduction of the Sputnik model. I replaced the staircase wall with very simple metal rings, which are very mid-century. The fluorescent yellow wall, on the other hand, does not fit the style. But it reflects the vibrant personalities of Bianca and Sébastien.”