A GUIDE TO MID-CENTURY MODERN

Follow Laura's board MID-CENTURY MODERN on Pinterest.  Mid-century modern is a term used to describe the design movement that captured the developments in design and architecture in the years between, and including, the 1930s and 1960s. Recently, this trend has reemerged and has been scattered all over Pinterest, Etsy and all of the interior magazines and blogs. So, to help you get a real grasp on it, I have compiled a guide to mid-century modern design, with everything from colours, to key themes, to furniture retailers and even how to make your own furniture. COLOUR SCHEME

KEY THEMES Go Crazy with Prints  Mid-century modern is not about matching things, it's about finding contrast. You can add pattern in all kinds of ways - soft furnings, artwork, wallpaper. But remember to mix large prints with small prints (rather than all small prints or all large prints) so that the room doesn't give you a headache when you walk in. Also, stick to natural hues (use the colour palette above for inpiration) - if you use colours of a similar hue, they will all work together beautifully. Start with a Blank Canvas  When it comes to mid-century modern decor, it's easiest to literally start with a blank canvas and paint all of your walls white (or at least a very very pale neutral colour). This will make adding pattern and colour so much easier and it will give you a lot more leeway when it comes to mixing your patterns/colours. It also makes for a really clean and fresh finish to your room. Let Wood Take Center Stage  Whilst 'Scandinvian' is a key word in mid-century modern decor, we need to ditch the IKEA flatpacked pressed wood, and look for the proper stuff. Furntiure made from woods such as teak, walnut, oak and rosewood reflect the mid-century style perfectly and are becoming much easier to find at a cheaper price as lower-end retailers are embracing the trend due to the increased demand. Use Unique Pendants  Lighting was almost used as artwork in many homes and bold lighting became a key component to the style of the mid-century. Nowadays, there are so many incredible designs out there at every price (Etsy is a great place for finding one of a kind creations). Add Traditional Textures  Tapestry and macrame have a really vintage feel but when combined with your fresh palette and modern touches, they give a really authentic and classic vibe and create a very rounded and complete look to your decor. Macrame is also a great way of displaying your plants (see plant hanger DIY below). Choose the Right Legs To get the most for your money, I recommend buying your furniture and then changing the legs to really take them back to the mid-century. Tapered legs and hairpin legs scream mid-century and can be bought from Amazon and DIY retailers for a really affordable price. Add a Bar Cart  Bar carts really add a sense of oppulence to the room and don't have to cost a lot. I've linked a great IKEA hack below if you feel like taking on a little DIY project this summer. WHERE TO BUY Vintage and second hand shops are obviously a great place to start to get genuine vintage and classic pieces with everything from furniture to furnishings - I recommend going to flea markets and also checking out online sites such as Ebay and Etsy. Etsy is also a great place to find replica pieces as the artsy creators on Etsy tend to be well up to date with the latest trends. Retailers like Urban Outfitters, West Elm and Made.com tend to be a little more expensive but make high quality replica furniture. If you're up for a DIY, places like IKEA can be a great place to start for cheaper options. A quick search on Pinterest for "IKEA hacks" and a visit to your local DIY shop, and you'll be well on your way to a bespoke piece of furniture.  DIY PROJECTS Getting your DIY on is a great way of creating bespoke, unique furniture, and allows you to completely customise your furnishings to get the exact look that you are going for. Here are a few of my favourite mid-century modern DIYs:

• Side Table (Sugar & Cloth)
• Brass Dreamcatcher (Sugar & Cloth)
• Ikea Hack Desk (Style Me Pretty)
• Ikea Hack Bar Cart (Style Me Pretty)
• Hairpin Side Table (Mayan Rocks)
• Macrame Plant Hanger (Nouvelle Daily)
• Hairpin Plant Stand (Nouvelle Daily)