How to Decorate Mid-Century Modern: Design Styles Explained

[@LindsayLiving]

Hello, friends! I’m thrilled to share the latest in my design style series. What style would you like to see featured next? Let's connect on socials! instagram.com/lindsayliving facebook.com/lindsayliving pinterest.com/lindsayliving

[@lesliebooth2833]

Im thrilled to find this video! I bought a MCM home in north Texas 8 years ago and have been collecting pieces since. I now have the following MCM pieces: dining table/chairs, china hutch, headboard, 2 dressers, double-decker coffee table, sofa, buffet (now my TV cabinet), and lift-top gossip bench. I have gotten nearly all these pieces at thrift or second hand stores and a few at estate or garage sales. I am quite happy with the pieces I have now and will likely only ever buy more if it just grabs my shirttail as I walk past!! My biggest folly is the minimal art situation (or lack thereof)!! I was an art teacher and art business owner and have TONS of paintings. Every wall is a gallery wall, even though I have 5 sliding glass doors and clerestory windows!! UGH! I’m going to try to minimize the amount of art displayed this year-it’s a resolution. Maybe I can convince myself to change it out semi-regularly. Oi!

[@LindsayLiving]

That's amazing! It sounds like you've created your own MCM paradise in your home. Your collection sounds impressive, and it's great that you've found such unique pieces at thrift stores and estate sales. Keep up the good work! Similarly I'm a painter and art lover and have so much art! I can't stop myself if I find a beautiful piece at a good price. I currently have three gallery walls in our home and change out the pieces every so often or when something new comes into my collection. Whatever you choose to do I know it will be gorgeous!

[@realgirl2704]

That was an excellent description of mid century modern. I was born in 1950 and it is wonderful to see this style endure. Your photo examples were beautiful. Seeing all of those rooms made me so nostalgic. Well done!

[@LindsayLiving]

My pleasure! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. Thank you!

[@victoriamae4701]

Mid mod is my favorite 😊 I really love the history that comes with it too, it brings along more appreciation for interior design when I'm styling my home. Thank you for this video!

[@LindsayLiving]

I couldn't agree more, Victoria. Even doing research for this video, I tapped back into my love of this history and how it impacted design trends of the time. Thanks so much for your comment.

[@elena_a-2023]

Thank you Lindsey for this video. You gave so much great information. I did not know many of the things you mentioned here. Also, love your enthusiasm and god energy!

[@LindsayLiving]

You are so welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Elena! Let me know if there are any other styles you'd like me to breakdown in a future episode!

[@brikebol]

This is EXACTLY what I needed as I start designing my new apartment! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@LindsayLiving]

Oh hooray! That is amazing news! I have loved mid-century art and design since my childhood so it always feels like coming home to study it. Enjoy the hunt for beautiful things for your new space. 🌺

[@shelleymolinaro5866]

Bravo Lindsay! I so enjoyed this dive into mcm. You gave us so many details and I am apprecating how long it took you to pull it together for us. Thank You. Teachers Rock!

[@LindsayLiving]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much!

[@melissapower5636]

Wow what an amazingly done video of my favorite style

[@LindsayLiving]

Wow, thanks!

[@rsnj4501]

I would love to see a video on desert modern and Mediterranean modern💕

[@LindsayLiving]

Great idea!

[@albertoaguillon6428]

Love this video from A To Z exactly what I needed to know. To the point and no extra information ty for the amazing video

[@LindsayLiving]

Thank you for your lovely comment! I'm delighted to hear that the video was exactly what you were looking for. Your support means the world to me!

[@queenofkingsbury]

I just love the mid century modern look.

[@kelleyhasapis1]

I’ve been waiting for this video! You’ve done a thorough breakdown of the design. I definitely lean MCM, and I love your tips about incorporating it into your home, especially with statement pieces.

[@LindsayLiving]

Awesome, thank you Kelley! It's always a challenge to meet the expectation of those who know and love a style well. It's hard to do a any style justice in 15 minutes or less. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

[@happytime7222]

Excellent video. This design is excellent especially since rooms are small in many new houses. I’m not into bulky couches. My parents loved this style and today I still love the tone of teak, so terrific. Thank you for the sources🍎. Loved the apple comment, it’s true same with potatoes

[@ryanlumayag2545]

Of all the videos I've watched,you're the only one that explained the difference between modern and contemporary.can I mix transitional with mcm?

[@LindsayLiving]

Yes! Watch my video on Transitional interior design style for a full break down but essentially it's the mix of traditional and modern/contemporary interior design. A lot of transitional designers incorporate MCM pieces into their designs.

[@thegoldenpath326]

That tip about Mad Men is really handy, thank you.

[@LindsayLiving]

Awesome! Let us know if you find any other great shows or movies that give inspiration for this style so we can check them out!

[@Jelda957]

Love your blouse!

[@LindsayLiving]

Thanks, Jessica! It's actually a dress from Target - super affordable not to mention comfortable. You can find it here: tinyurl.com/yckwdajz

[@lynbuerkett8537]

Thank you, great information! I find great pieces at Crate and Barrel as well.

[@LindsayLiving]

I love C&B - they have so many quality pieces within different design styles.

[@olgadekell]

Great informative video, thanks for making it! 🙏

[@LindsayLiving]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@jchow5966]

This is helpful. I love nid century modern!!!!!!!!

[@LindsayLiving]

Ah, me too! Thanks for watching!

[@artwerksDallas]

The scene in Good Night and Good Luck where Edward Murrow and Fred Friendly are waiting, to speak to Charles Palin the head of CBS, in the reception. The furniture and Art are dreamlike and wonderful designs

[@LindsayLiving]

Oh yes! That is a fantastic reference!

[@carrieh922]

Missed this one! Another great breakdown 🙂

[@LindsayLiving]

Thanks so much, Carrie! This was such a fun one to dig into since it’s one of my all time favorite styles. Let me know if there’s any you’d like to see come up next. 😄

[@marian1633]

I love arts and crafts design style, maybe you can do a video on that.

[@LindsayLiving]

That would be a fun one to research and share, thanks for the idea, Maria!

[@sylviashalom2027]

Excellent job! So well done! Thank you so much.

[@LindsayLiving]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leung9401]

It is true that the Midcentury Modern period brought forth a lot of stylish design icons. However, Mies van der Rohe‘s and Lily Reich’s Barcelona Chair, le Corbusier‘s and Charlotte Perriand‘s LC1, LC2, LC3 and LC4 as well as Marcel Breuer‘s Wassily Chair were not designed in this period, but significantly earlier in the Bauhaus era.

[@timward3116]

It seems that many videos equate "mid-century modern" with Palm Springs and "blurring the line between indoors and outdoors." However, I grew up in a mid-century-built home in the Midwest, and I now live in a mid-century home in a desert city known for frying eggs on the sidewalk and roasting weiners on dashboards. Both homes lack the kind of big windows that seem to be considered a major component of mid-century modern decor. In fact, some of the homes built in the post-war era up to the 1970's were downright dark. Despite the darkness forced by the architecture, the furniture style and overall aesthetic DOES work in those darker homes as well. It's a somewhat different feel when you don't have light pouring in through a window, but it still works wonderfully.

[@LindsayLiving]

Mid-Century Modern is a very specific timeframe in design and also varies widely between the country of origin. Generally speaking, the home you are describing growing up in the midwest doesn't sound at all like MCM but rather a mid-century traditional style home, possibly a ranch style floorplan. Although these homes often had big picture windows in the front living room, the rest of the house often had smaller, sometimes raised windows to accommodate some of the furniture designs of the time. Just because something was built during mid-century does not make it Mid-Century Modern. There were a lot of other styles prevalent at that time that don't fit into this category. Might I recommend this video I made on How to Find Your Design Style for a framework I created to make sense of the various styles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZjViZ-gar2fldk

[@timward3116]

@@LindsayLiving Thanks! In my little childhood world in suburban Chicago, I had never seen anything resembling a mid-century modern home, then. My childhood home was a brick/wood split-level built in 1959. Main floor had kitchen/dining/living room with a vaulted ceiling. Downstairs, a recreation room. Upstairs, three bedrooms and a pink bathroom. It had pretty big windows, but they weren't as large as the windows in the mid-century modern examples.

[@vanessaanderson1961]

I love love love mid century modern architecture and furniture. My home’s architecture is not mid century. However, I’d like to furnish it in that style. Any rules around meshing mid century interior design with homes that may be more traditional in architecture?

[@LindsayLiving]

Hey there! Mixing mid-century modern with traditional architecture can be super cool. Just go with what you love and make your space uniquely yours. Have fun with the process!

[@boe1120]

Hey Sylina, wow this is great history on mid mod

[@LindsayLiving]

The name's Lindsay - glad you enjoyed this one.

[@christinafordhomedesignlif8847]

Hello there!! I love mid century modern!! Thanks for info

[@LindsayLiving]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this one - thanks, Christina! ☺️

[@carmencolon3520]

I am sacrificing myself to watch this video in support of my friends that enjoy this style but, I will need serious therapy after this video. At least I watched until the end. I am hard on Victorian and French style. Definitely an old soul born to late. Thanks but no my cup of tea.

[@RoscoPColtrane17]

Your heart is in the right place. I make it my life’s work to remove anything Mid Century Modern.

[@graceeste7469]

Thank you Lindsay , ❤👍

[@LindsayLiving]

You are so welcome!

[@dr.nermintarek007]

Excellent.. well executed ❤

[@LindsayLiving]

Thank you so much!

[@sondraturin9873]

love your coffee mug. Where is if from?

[@LindsayLiving]

It's Leanne Ford for Crate & Barrel. LOVE it plus it's HUGE.

[@SometimeAgo65]

MCM is definitely not my style; however, I do appreciate some of aspects of it, especially a few of the furniture pieces but not all. I know the younger generation has fallen in love with it though 😊😉💗

[@LindsayLiving]

I totally agree! If a home goes all in on vintage MCM it can start to look like a movie set. Mixing styles and incorporating a few MCM pieces can add another layer to a design. But it's really about what speaks to you in your own home. What's your favorite design style, Gina?

[@SometimeAgo65]

@@LindsayLiving I'm actually not sure. In years past, it was traditional so I guess I could say Modern Traditional; however, I like aspects of different styles. So, still I don't know 😊❤ My least favorites are Boho and Farmhouse though.

[@jeangenie5179]

What does function over form mean? I tried googling it & couldn't understand.

[@tonicrismon4391]

Very interesting! Thank you.

[@LindsayLiving]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wandakeeter7381]

I love the mid century look and just purchased a couple pieces of drexel declaration . But i also love the boho look. How can these 2 be done together? or is it a big no.. TIA

[@LindsayLiving]

First and foremost you can do anything you like in your interior design. Above all else your home should make you and your family happy. That said, since you ask, the MCM+BOHO trend was HUGE in the 2010s and became seriously oversaturated as a result of the rise of tumblr and Pinterest. Major decor retailers caught on and it became really sanitized and redundant. That said a lot of people avoid the combo these days. That said, I think there's a way to do it right, and that might be a great topic for a video. What do you think? Thanks for watching and for your comment. 🌺😊

[@wandakeeter7381]

i would love a video on combining the 2. @@LindsayLiving

[@cindianderson9443]

You mentioned a link below to biophillica and mid century, but I can't find that?

[@LindsayLiving]

Gosh I seem to have misplaced that link! I'll keep searching. Sorry about that!!

[@Mama-nu7it]

Beautiful Thank you

[@LindsayLiving]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@alejandrorosales5970]

Cool video!

[@LindsayLiving]

Thanks!

[@thesimplesettlers]

What color paint is your wall?

[@LindsayLiving]

The white walls across my home are Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. Was there another room you were wondering about specifically?

[@Creative-Chaos]

I like the colors and the geometrical shapes for tiling and floors. But I don’t like the furniture. I am watching because a house that I might buy is definitely MCM.

[@CPAndy-x5x]

I thought walnut was the most common MCM wood.

[@LindsayLiving]

Walnut is pretty common in MCM furniture, but there are a few other woods that give it a run for its money too!

[@eattherich9215]

@6:32, 😡that horrible stonework is so clueless. @13:14, ugh. That has flip written all over it. Thanks for the reference to Cara Greenberg's book. I'll put it on my list of interesting things.

[@spacestudio4379]

Sorry to contradict you, but Mid Century Modern Style originated in Europe between 1920 and 1930 no U.S.A. Also, most of the designers that were part of that era came from there.

[@LESHAUNWILL]

I like the video it was good my only issue is how you went into the description of teakwood and how it just about got depleted and that people should be looking for more sustainable options, but then you mention your leather sofa so many times not realizing that animals have to die for people to own leather furniture. Which is not sustainable and downright cruel. However nobody likes to talk about that part. If you did address this in another video then my apologies this is the first time I’ve ever seen one of your videos. But going forward and living in the world that we live in right now you may want to think about things from another perspective as well as your viewers/subs. Someone a sentient being died for your sofa I’m sure several. So give thanks and try to do better. I am all for repurposing things and keeping them out of our landfills so I do love that you do a lot of secondhand treasure finding.

[@LindsayLiving]

That's a great point, Le'Shaun. (I hope I put the capitals in the right places, please forgive if I made any error.) Thanks for sharing your point of view. There are many alternatives to animal hides for upholstery.

[@LESHAUNWILL]

@@LindsayLiving thanks for responding, most people would just ignore things when they are confronted. I wasn’t trying to troll you I just genuinely think you have a great channel and I love that you upcycle things as well I just think like I mentioned not everyone who enjoys watching you, enjoy the bits about leather, cashmere, wool, mink and all the things animals have to suffer/die for in order to make our spaces look good. I really would like it if you did an episode touching on that? It would be great to open the eyes of your viewers so they can consciously start thinking about alternatives. You’re a clever girl I know it would be done tastefully and you can show how beautiful vegan leather (aka pleather) is. LOL I laugh because when I was growing up people teased about pleather now they call it vegan leather and it’s posh/chic. How funny! But yes there are synthetics up the wahzoo that don’t hurt animals, that are easier to create, use less energy, fuel and water to produce. I was an interior designer for years I specialized in Kitchens and bathrooms I currently remodel RV’s/Trailers and turn them into dope ass modern Tiny homes. You can see it on my channel if you wanna know who this crazy woman is. Anyways I wish you the best with your channel you have a good thing going. I know it’s not easy as I try hard to keep up but it’s a lot of work. So please don’t take my words as disrespectful or discouraging but merely a sign that it’s high time we do better especially when we know better. And yes clearly I am Vegan which explains my concerns for animals and our planet. Anyone with children, grandchildren or the like… should start unselfishly thinking about the consequences of their actions as it will effect them in such a harsh impacting way. Thanks again Lady, you have a great day and wonderful holiday season. With Love Le’Shaun (New Sub) 🥰

[@veronicajensen7690]

animals don't die for humans to get furniture-the leather is what is left after humans have eaten the animals

[@Mulokaj]

What’s the Instagram of her Mid Century friend Jen? Greetings!

[@LindsayLiving]

You can find Jenn on Instagram at @hellorigby - She shared a lot of fashion, Seattle lifestyle, and home content.

[@Usonian7]

Im not sure why some women can do the over edited, scripted voice over and some can't. But when they can't, its annoying.

[@pyewackett5]

Mid Cen Modern is becoming SOOO yesterday ...

[@LindsayLiving]

People who are drawn to MCM are those who generally enjoy the retro vibes, clean lines, and don't care about contemporary design. Seems you're more of a contemporary designer perhaps. That's the joy of design - there's something for everyone.

[@pyewackett5]

@@LindsayLiving Was trying to deflect from mcm . Time for French rustic , or a revival of the 80's or Amish style or something. Then we mid century folk can perhaps enjoi bargains once again. Mcm is not just a fashion. It's a way of life.

[@CPAndy-x5x]

If you're young. Some of us grew up with it. It's better than chasing the latest fleeting tic-toc trends. When you're older you settle on what you like and don't worry about "new," "yesterday" and trends.