Miss Mustard Seed’s® Milk Paint spans multiple design styles and aesthetics. Whether you’re a lover of Modern Farmhouse, Coastal, Transitional, Grandmillenial or Mid-Century Modern style decor, there is plenty for you to love and be inspired by in our color line!

Today, let’s focus on the characteristics of Mid-Century Modern (MCM) design. We have some beautiful examples of MCM pieces that MMSMP Retailer Laura Hughes and her team at Vintage 61 Storehouse created during one of our Facebook Live broadcasts. She used colors from our recently released Farmhouse Collection, putting a fresh spin on this popular design style!

What is Mid-Century Modern?

Mid-Century Modern (otherwise known as MCM) is an architectural, furniture, home decor and art style that came on the scene in the decades following WWII (1940’s - 1960’s). As technology was increasing, the space race was on and the “baby boomer” generation was developing a new design aesthetic that was quite different than that of the previous generation. They were discarding the ornate designs of depression-era for clean lines, minimalistic decor and open floor plans.

Characteristics and Features of Mid-Century Modern Style

While MCM style has variants in color palettes and fabric patterns, there are certain features that are consistent across the board.

Juxtaposition of Straight and Organic Lines

The juxtaposition of straight lines and sharp angles with flowing organic shapes is one of the most common characteristics of MCM design. Take this artwork for example that was created by Laura and her team at Vintage 61 Storehouse.

The composition of the artwork is a flowing, curvy and organic-shaped “S” framed within a rigid rectangular frame. The background is Lucketts Green, and the colors in the curve are French Enamel, Farmhouse White and Dried Lavender.

The curves and plush fabric of the chair (which was painted in Dried Lavender) sits in contrast to the hard wood dresser (which is painted in French Enamel) with its right angles and boxy shape. This juxtaposition is a feature that is repeated continuously in MCM design.

Take this TV room for example. The TV, console table, cabinet and sofa all have right angles and straight lines. The coffee table, however, is an organic free-form oval. (Hey, doesn’t that sofa look like it would match our Dried Lavender?)

Bring Nature Inside

One of the most famous MCM designers is architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. His sprawling designs embraced nature and brought it inside through open concept floor plans, the use of natural materials and large expansive windows.

When it comes to furniture, MCM pieces are often made from decorative woods like Teak, Mahogany and Rosewood. You’ll also find potted palms and fiddle leaf fig trees nestled contently in the corner somewhere. Some MCM homes were built around nature with walkways that span natural streams and trees that grow through the ceiling.

This beautiful bookshelf from Vintage 61 Storehouse is a great example of how you can use our Milk Paint to lighten the dark footprint of a MCM piece while maintaining the beauty of the decorative wood. The piece was painted in our bright white, Ironstone!

Sputnik-Inspired Chandeliers

In 1957, the former U.S.S.R successfully launched a satellite into outer space called “Sputnik”. This event echoed around the world like the shot of a starting pistol, marking the start of the “Space Age” - an era when science and technology made incredible strides at a frenzied pace.

The Space Age found its way into newspapers, books, radio shows and even home decor! Lighting fixtures began to take on abstract forms with spindly arms jutting out every which-way like the antennae of the Sputnik satellite. Each arm of a Sputnik-inspired chandelier usually ended in a lightbulb encompassed by a round glass or brass globe.

The team at Vintage 61 Storehouse incorporated a Sputnik-inspired light fixture into their MCM scene. The rounded globes and cylindrical arms are quite fitting, don’t you think?

Pops of Color

Any MCM design scheme needs to have pops of color! Traditionally, they are burnt oranges, mustard yellows and bright emerald greens. Nowadays, you aren’t limited by the colors of the 1960’s! Laura and her team used French Enamel on a set of MCM dressers for a mid-century marvelous pop of color.

Tapered Legs

Furniture doesn’t get more MCM than when it has a set of gently angled and tapered furniture legs! Take a look at the legs on these pieces from Vintage 61 Storehouse.

Tapered legs can be boxy like those on the bookshelf, or rounded like those on the side table. The key is that they taper from top to bottom. Sometimes you’ll see a cuff of brass at the end of a slender wooden leg, adding to the MCM feel.

A Farmhouse Take on Mid-Century Modern

Laura and her team had a vision to take MCM style furniture and refinish it with a farmhouse style color palette. She traded in the burnt orange and avocado green for the spring green tones of Lucketts Green and the soothing dusty shade of Dried Lavender.

Enjoy watching her Facebook broadcast as she explains the vision she and her team had, and bask in all of the MCM glory!

Find a Miss Mustard Seed’s® Milk Paint Retailer Near You!

Are you inspired to incorporate some Mid-Century Modern decor to your space? Itching to try one of the beautiful colors in our Farmhouse Collection? Our retailers are ready and waiting to help you start Moving Mid-Century Modern Mountains in Your Home™! Click the image below and use our map to find one near you. Remember, you can shop online AND in stores!