Mixing furniture from different periods can make for an eclectic and stylish interior design scheme, especially if you’re feeling adventurous! Here at AC Silver, we’re big fans of decorating spaces using antique silver and antique furniture (as you could probably guess!) However, we know that mixing and matching a lot of different styles is easier said than done. Unless, of course, you have a lot of practice and a keen eye for interior design. That’s why we’re here to offer some guidance and interior inspiration!
Today, we’re exploring the world of mid-century modern design. Specifically, how to mix mid-century modern furniture with traditional furniture.
What Is Mid-Century Modern?
If you’re unfamiliar with this particular design period, this is where to start! Mid-century modern is an American artistic movement that changed the face of architecture and interiors during — you guessed it — the middle of the 20th century. This style was particularly popular in America in the post-World War II period, from around 1945 to 1969, but it has made a big comeback in recent years.
The style has elements of minimalism mixed with a traditional vintage charm — just one of the reasons why it’s a great style to get creative with. The distinctive features of mid-century modern design include functionality, sleek lines, minimal ornamentation, juxtaposing materials (including traditional and non-traditional materials), both organic and geometric forms, a wide array of (usually muted) colours.
As you can already see, there’s a theme of juxtaposition going on here, from the materials used to the patterns created. Therefore, the eclectic style of mid-century modern furniture is already doing half of the work for you when it comes to mixing and matching! This is what makes it the perfect style to mix with traditional furniture and antique ornaments.
Mixing Mid-Century Modern
The key to mixing different design styles is knowing how far to go and — crucially — not overdoing it. First, settle on a colour scheme and wood type. Mixing furniture made of too many different types of wood will look hectic and jumbled, but mixing one tone of wood (Danish design is the classic wood style for mid-century modern) with a range of other materials like copper and silver will give you an elegant result.
Not every piece of furniture should be part of a mid-century set, and having a bit of a mix will help to make your house look like a real home rather than a show home. So, picking some more traditional furniture pieces made out of the same wood type will give your scheme depth.
You should feel free to experiment and use a mix of colours in your scheme as this will allow you to incorporate more traditional pieces. However, don’t go too wild! To begin with, settle on a colour palette. When you work within the realms of a few different shades and you can’t go wrong. Muted shades of olive green, mustard yellow, and burnt orange would all work fabulously. For example, a burnt orange chair with a traditional design would fit well into your scheme well as long as it fits with your palette.
Pairing Silver With Mid-Century Modern Design
As well as incorporating mid-century modern furniture into your design scheme, it’s important to know how to coordinate it with the rest of your decor. And for us, that can only mean one thing – antique silver! As mid-century modern furniture is fairly simple and elegant, you can away with adding some sleek silver antiques to your scheme. If you want to stick to a theme, American silverware is a great choice. This American sterling silver bowl made by Gorham Manufacturing Company, for example, would be a great touch. Like many classic pieces of mid-century modern furniture, this silver bowl has been crafted in a mix of juxtaposing materials, featuring designs in applied copper — a classic material used in mid-century modern design.
When it comes to creating your own eclectic scheme, it is sure to come down to a bit of trial and error. Just remember to trust your instincts and create a space that makes you feel fabulous – it’s your own home after all!
