Design Style – Mid-Century Modern
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![Design Style – Mid-Century Modern](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mid-Century-Design-Style-living-room.png)
Mid-Century Modern style has been revived over the last 5 years in a BIG WAY!
Personally, I love this style. Our 3 bedroom bungalow was built in 1967 and the architecture of the home with the angled roofline definitely has a look reminiscent of designs by Frank Lloyd Wright.
![My Mid Century Modern Style Bungalow](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/my-mid-century-modern-style-bungalow-1024x531.jpg)
The Mid-Century Modern, aka MCM, design style had its beginnings in the middle of the 20th century. Post-WWII, people were looking for a more uncomplicated design style.
Focus had changed from the ornate to a less frilly, less embellished look in architecture and furniture.
Mid-Century Modern Colours
Mid-Century Modern design style has a range of distinct colours that assist in curating this look.
Let me share three inspiring MCM colours that will give you a great starting point if you are considering this design style for your own home.
Sherwin Williams – Earthen Jug 7703
![Earthen Jug, sherwin williams, mid century modern paint colour](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Earthen-Jug-Mid-Century-Design-Style-Blog-Graphics-900-x-600.png)
After seeing the latest images on social media from showrooms at High Point Spring Market in North Carolina, the warm Terracotta tones are still trending in a big way.
You may recall reading about the popularity of this shade in this previous colour trends post from the fall.
Farrow & Ball – India Yellow No.66
![India Yellow, Mid Century Modern, Farrow and Ball](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/India-Yellow-Mid-Century-Design-Style-Blog-Graphics-900-x-600.png)
A rich mustard yellow, India Yellow is a colour indicative of this period of design. Paired with the right colour combinations it can deliver the MCM look down to a tee.
Learn more about this gorgeous deep yellow by Farrow and Ball here in my colour review.
See 10 stunning colours that complement India Yellow in my Perfect Colour Palette.
![Farrow And Ball India Yellow Living Room With Yellow Sofa](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Farrow-and-Ball-India-Yellow-Living-Room-with-yellow-sofa.png)
Benjamin Moore – Hale Navy HC-154
![Hale Navy, Mid Century, MCM, benjamin moore](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Hale-Navy-Mid-Century-Design-Style-Blog-Graphics-900-x-600.png)
One of Benjamin Moore’s most popular blues, Hale Navy works so well in a Mid Century Modern colour palette.
It also looks amazing in other styles of interiors, like this gorgeous dining room we designed for clients in Toronto.
![Hale Navy And White Dove Dining Room](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hale-Navy-and-White-Dove-Dining-Room-blog-image-500-x-750-1.png)
Get more colour inspiration and what you need to know about using this popular Navy in my Perfect Colour Palette.
Earthen Jug, India Yellow and Hale Navy
![Earthen Jug, India Yellow, Hale Navy Sherwin Williams, Farrow and Ball, Benjamin Moore](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Earthen-Jug-India-Yellow-and-Hale-Navy-Mid-Century-MCM-palette-blog-graphic-500-x-750-1.png)
What a vibrant and contrasting palette that highlights the look and feel of the Mid-Century Modern design style.
Design Details
What are some of the signature details of the Mid-Century Modern design style? Let’s take a look!
Dark Wood Tones
Teak is probably the best known of the dark woods prominent in Mid-Century Modern furniture.
![Teak Coffee Table](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/teak-coffee-table.png)
There are many others that were used in furniture making during this dynamic period including Rosewood and Walnut.
Walnut is one of my personal favourites and I believe it is a warm wood that never goes out of style.
![dark wood toned bookshelf, mcm desk, mid century desk chair](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/31.png)
Tufting
![tufted, upholstery, velvet, tapered legs, mcm sofa](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/17.png)
![Tufted Velvet](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/tufted-velvet.png)
![tufted pink velvet, yellow tufted chair](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/3-1.png)
![Tuften Upholstery, Mcm, pink velvet, teal velvet, yellow tufted chair](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/tuften-upholstery-mcm.png)
![blue velvet sofa, tuften sofa, mcm coffee table](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/19.png)
Tapered Legs
![mid century style furniture, tapered floor lamp,](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/7-1.png)
![design style - mid century modern, mcm love seat, chair, tapered legs, triangle coffee table, cane panels](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/10-1.png)
Fabrics & Textures
Velvet
![Yellow And Burnt Orange Velvet Cushions On Blue Velvet Sofa](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Yellow-and-burnt-orange-velvet-cushions-on-blue-velvet-sofa.png)
![velvet, green velvet, yellow velvet, mid century love seat, mcm chair](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/16.png)
Rattan/Cane/Wicker
![cane panelled credenza, mcm credenza,mcm, mid century modern, sideboard](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/33.png)
![cane, wicker, rattan, light fixture, chandelier](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/34.png)
These design elements can be used in a variety of design styles, including Farmhouse and Coastal.
Leather
![leather chair, mcm, mid century modern](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/4-1.png)
![dark brown leather mcm chair](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/22.png)
![Leather Tufted Sofa](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/leather-tufted-sofa-1.jpg)
Mid-Century Decor
Geometrics
![geometric area rug, mid century modern, area rug, geometric](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/27-1.png)
![geometric wall art](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/28-1.png)
![geometric shelfs, hexagon shelves, mid century modern](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/29-1.png)
Ceramics & Glass
![black and white vase, mcm, glass vase, ceramic vase, organic shaped vase](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9-2.png)
![Ceramic Vases, teak coffee table](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ceramic-vases.png)
![geometric lamp, ceramic lamp, diamond pattern, mid century modern lamp](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/5-1.png)
Star Burst
![coloured ball clock, ball clock](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/13-1.png)
![starburst decor, starburst wall art](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/7-2.png)
![Starburst mirror](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mid-Century-Design-MCM-Design-Style-blog-graphics-500-x-750-1.png)
And although the basement with pool table shown below is not Mid-Century Style, you can see that we used a colourful clock similar to the starburst style in this games room area.
![Basement Pool Table With Green And Orange Bar Seating](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Basement-pool-table-with-green-and-orange-bar-seating.jpg)
You can check out the entire 3000 square foot basement design here…it even has a hidden door in a bookcase that leads to the very cool and secret Xbox room with a graffiti wall!
Remember, just because you may not be decorating an entire room in one specific design style, doesn’t mean you can’t mix in various elements of style.
In fact, I encourage it to achieve a layered and interesting room design!
Mid-Century Modern Perfect Colour Palettes
![Mid Century Modern Living Room, Green Chairs, Teak Sideboard](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mid-century-modern-living-room-green-chairs-teak-sideboard.png)
Loving the look of the Mid-Century Modern design style?
Let me help you achieve this sophisticated yet relaxed feel with my Perfect Colour Palettes which provide 10 fabulous colour combinations in order to pull off a gorgeous MCM interior.
Sherwin Williams Mid-Century Modern palette
Benjamin Moore Mid-Century Modern palette
Farrow & Ball Mid-Century Modern palette
India Yellow Perfect Colour Palette
Hale Navy Perfect Colour Palette
Colour Quiz
Take my revamped colour quiz to find your Perfect Colour Palette.
Perfect For Pinning
![Mid Century Modern, Mcm, Design Style](https://clairejefford.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mid-Century-Modern-MCM-Design-Style-Blog-Pinterest-Graphics-1000-×-1500-px.png)
Sandee
| 16 September 2023Does anyone know where I can locate to purchase the above mid century modern blue velvet sofa.
Claire Jefford
| 22 September 2023Hi Sandee. These were stock photos, so I don’t have a source. I suggest going a Google search for Mid Century Modern tufted blue sofas.