Designer 411: Get the Mid-Century Modern Look

Design: VPR Interior Decor

Whether you’ve heard the term mid-century modern and weren’t quite sure what it meant, or absolutely love the look and want to bring it home, we’re here to help! Learn more about this coveted style and discover how to achieve it yourself with insights and insider secrets from two trusty interior designers—Common Bond Design and VPR Interior Decor—whose work you'll find in our Photo Gallery.

Designs: VPR Interior Decor

How would you define mid-century modern style?

Mid-century style is about one central question: What is the simplest, most elegant solution to this functional problem?

When we're implementing mid-century solutions, we're applying an adaptation of this question to a specific situation. How large does this piece of furniture need to be to do its job effectively? How many legs are necessary to maintain the structural integrity of this piece?

Eero Saarinen uttered one of my favourite design quotes when he designed his iconic Tulip table, 'the undercarriage of chairs and tables in a typical interior makes an ugly, confusing, unrestful world. I wanted to clear up the slum of legs.' Mid-century design is about creating a more restful world by stripping 'form fits function' to its most minimal expression.—Common Bond Design

I think of it as a mix of the modern technology and vintage vibes from the past. The emphasizing of organic elements with a mix of colours, simple lines, and materials defines the style as we know it today.—VPR Interior Decor

Design: Common Bond Design

What are the three must-have elements in a mid-century room?

1) Mix of organic colours2. Simple lines3. Abundant light
— VPR Interior Décor

1) A taper or tuft2. Something walnut, teak, or rosewood3. A sculptural and functional element, like a lamp, chair, or ceramic vase in a unique shape
— Common Bond Design

How do you keep a room looking fresh while incorporating period pieces?

I like to create balance with simple lines and a few nods to the past. Don't overcrowd a room with too many accents or by adding items that aren't necessary. Only add pieces that you truly love. Use accents to balance the room while keeping it open with bright, light colours.—VPR Interior Decor

Contrast! Our favourite mid-century rooms often incorporate an element of contrast within a single piece, like a mid-century silhouette in an unexpected textile. If your budget doesn't allow for altering a piece, you can create contrast through the way you curate the room. Combine pieces from different periods or different parts of the world—something mid-century with something antique! Something Scandinavian with something Latin American!—Common Bond Design

Designs: Common Bond Design

How do you incorporate this style on a budget?

Happily, thanks to the rise in popularity of mid-century designs, a lot of contemporary furniture companies are designing pieces that reference mid-century style.—Common Bond Design

Do you have a favourite mid-century colour scheme?

We like to use a colour palette that diverges from the 1950s norm, be they pastels or calm neutrals. Sometimes we'll even use vivid colours, but from the cool end of the spectrum. When we work with clients who are colour shy, a great standby is any textile reminiscent of menswear. Navy blue, a graphic check, or a pinstripe will make mid-century upholstered pieces feel crisp and contemporary.
—Common Bond Design

I like to use a combination of yellow, grey, teal, and orange. I like to choose two base colours and then use the other colours as pops in the space. Just be sure to keep the pops of colour to a minimum to maintain the mid-century vibe.—VPR Interior Decor