Mix and Match Mid-Century? No Prob - Hello Chairish!

Being a dealer specializing in Dutch Mid-Century Modern goodness, we're no stranger to mixing and matching. Dutch design varies a little from more traditional Danish mid-century - they used more industrial and colorful materials, which offset so perfectly with wood and various textures. If we've taken away anything from Dutch design, it's fearlessness in our aesthetic. Sometimes the least likely mix of things synchronize beautifully together.

Why do we love mid-century? People knew how to build things well back then, ideas were fresh, unique pieces were made, and the materials were repurposed from WWII industrialism… Historically standing, MCM was the gateway for mass-production, nevertheless the original (old) designs still maintain a feeling of hand-craftedness and care. Mixing mid-century with any style ALWAYS gives any space a sense of originality and comfort. Today I will be sharing a few of our favorite rooms that seamlessly incorporate the mid-century modern aesthetic. Along with a few styling tips. 

Look how we've moved backwards in time…If these photos were instead in high-res, they could be from this month's Dwell (maybe.) Instead they're actually from a 60's Dutch catalog. 

Here are a few favorite rooms (by designers we love!), highlighted with very reasonably priced original mid-century designs from Chairish - a carefully curated online marketplace with a bomb mid-century collection. Trust me, this blog post was very hard to get through considering I got distracted re-designing my whole apartment in my head browsing through everything. (Insert monkey-face emoji with its hands over its eyes.) Also our top three tips on styling with mid-century!

TIP 1
Re-upholstery. Reupholster an old piece with new spunky fabric and you maintain the vintage integrity of the piece but let it modernize and pop with any space. Illustrated here in a project by Matt Blacke via a very B&B Italia sofa. 

1. Knoll Bertoia Fiberglass Side Chair in Red-Orange

2. Knoll Bertoia Fiberglass Side Chair in Yellow

3. Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Era Sofa and chair

4. Harvey Probber Three Piece Sectional Sofa (very much in need of some good re-upholstery…)

5. Thayer Coggin Foyer Table

6. Vintage Adrian Pearsell 1135-T Dining Table

TIP 2 

Mid-Century itself comes in many styles... mixing and matching different upholsteries, textures, and woods can be refreshing all in itself. Thanks Roman and Williams!

1. Original Mid-Century Arthur Umanoff Sofa

2. Percival Lafer Two-Seat Leather Sofa

3. Grange Monet Black Lounge Chair 

4. Hans Wegner Style Folding Woven Rope Chairs

5. Hans Olsen Black Leather and Wood Safari Chair
6. Hans Wegner Brown Leather Armchair
7. Danish Modern White Hanging Pendant Lamp

TIP 3
Keep it simple and light. One of the best things about MCM is its simplicity and shapeliness. Well-placed curves can give dynamism to any room and works especially great when sticking to a neutral color palette. Below by Geremia Design. 

1. Newly Reupholstered Mid-Century Vintage Couch
2. Swan Sofa by Fritz Hansen

3. Red Womb Chair and Ottoman by Knoll Saarinen

4. Mid-Century Overman Egg Form Chair and Ottoman
5. Glass and Rattan Coffee Table
6. Adrian Pearsall Walnut Coffee Table
7. Mid-Century Chrome Arc Floor Lamp

Lastly and most importantly... versatility. I mean, have you browsed through all 6,000+ items in just the Mid-Century section alone on Chairish? (I have…) There is absolutely something for everyone.