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The popularity of mid-mod design prevails

From the Resene decorating blog

The pioneer for modern home interiors, mid-century modern design showcases high quality, detailed pieces that use clean lines.

It’s a very specific style that began in Denmark during the late 1930s and was popularised elsewhere in the 1940-1970s. The use of teak, natural materials, rounded shapes and striking statement chairs are all tell-tale elements that have become synonymous with the time period.

A yellow and white lounge in a mid-mod design

A moodboard with classic mid-mod colours

Lounge: Walls in Resene Black White with colour blocks in Resene Turbo, floor and shelf in Resene Noir, picture frame in Resene Sorbet with DIY artwork in Resene Noir, Resene Roadster, Resene Turbo, Resene Party Zone and Resene Sorbet, plant pot and tall pillar vase in Resene Havoc, medium diamond vase in Resene Roadster and short diamond vase in Resene Sorbet. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.  Moodboard: A mood board inspired by classic mid-mod colours, this palette would work well for a retro-style lounge. Background is Resene Noir and A4 drawdown painted swatches (from top to bottom) are in Resene Havoc, Resene Sorbet, Resene Party Zone and Resene Turbo. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

Even though it has been over 80 years since the movement started, the style remains nearly as popular as it was in its prime. The attention to quality and details combined with classic colours and bold patterns are certainly a part of what makes mid-mod design so evergreen. The fact that furniture built back then was often made by hand to much higher standards than pieces that are produced now is another factor that’s contributed to these designs’ longevity. Not only has it quite literally stood the test of time, but the simple clean lines also that Danish furnishings are known for makes them easy to incorporate it into a contemporary setting.

If you are looking at adding some mid-mod design into your home, there are a few ways to go about it. It all comes down to your taste and what you’re trying to accomplish. Whether you’re looking to recreate a period appropriate retro space or blend old with new, choosing the right Resene colour palette will make the most impact on your overall look.

Classic colours

During the mid 20th century, vibrant colours played a large part in setting the tone in the most stylish spaces.

The Auckland Art Gallery held a special exhibition of over 200 original and iconic objects from this popular period, all framed by dynamic Resene paint colours. Hannah Manning-Scott, the Exhibition Designer of Denmark Design, wanted to leverage period appropriate colour to create a space that complimented the displays.

A home office with a mid-mod inspired design

A contemporary mid-mod style sideboard

Home office: Featuring a mid-mod inspired pattern, the simple black and white design of Resene Wallpaper Collection 531220 helps it blend seamlessly into a contemporary interior. Try it in a home office, hallway, bedroom or bathroom.  Sideboard: A mid-mod style sideboard looks contemporary with a fresh coat of Resene Inside Back. Wall in Resene Duck Egg Blue with Resene Paint Effects tinted in Resene Rolling Stone, floor and large vase in Resene Half Villa White, plant pot in Resene Wafer and bowl in Resene Wedgewood. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.

“Denmark Design posed a unique challenge of bringing to life a catalogue of over 200 three-dimensional objects! It was a fine balancing act to create a changing rhythm to the exhibition and create a variety of spatial experiences and key moments,” she says.

The exhibition’s standout feature was a curved red room that made quite a bold statement in Resene Roadster. According to Hannah, it was inspired by the saturated interiors designed by Verner Panton – one of the key designers featured.

“To enter a Verner Panton space is to enter an immersive dreamscape.”

After earning permission from the Panton estate to reinterpret his patterns, Hannah and the team utilised a layering process. The base layer was painted in Resene SpaceCote Flat finish tinted to striking Resene Roadster topped with a clear high-gloss digital print compucut vinyl in a classic curved mid-mod pattern.

In other parts of the exhibition, Resene Carpe Diem was chosen for its allusion to the golden tones found in Richard Mortensen’s iconic prints that were on display. “The orange also contrasted well with textiles by Arne Jacobsen, and it complemented the warm tones of the wooden Arne Jacobsen furniture,” Hannah says.

The famous egg chair and swan chair were two other favourites spotlighted in the exhibition. They were framed by double strength Resene Jet Stream, chosen for being the closest colour match to the iconic SAS Hotel in Copenhagen designed by Arne Jacobsen in the 1960s.

Hannah’s personal favourite, Resene Tory Blue, was selected as a feature wall colour that appeared a number of times throughout the exhibition. It’s a shade that can be found in several classic Danish designs, like the porcelain pieces produced by Royal Copenhagen and Finn Juhl’s furniture designs.

“It’s a complex colour and it reminds me of family holidays spent in Copenhagen,” Hannah says.

Contemporary alternatives

If you were lucky enough to catch the exhibition while it was on display and are planning on displaying Danish antiques or replicas in your own home, you’ll have seen first-hand why these hues would make great options for a retro space. But what if you want to blend them into a contemporary setting?

For walls, soft greys like Resene Rakaia, Resene Concrete, Resene Eighth Ash and Resene Quarter Linen are all nice options for keeping things cool and neutral while offering more interest than just a simple white. Plus, they’re great for off-setting the golden undertones of classic teakwood. However, if you fancy a true neutral white to start with, Resene Half Black White, Resene Half Sea Fog or Resene Half Alabaster are ideal as a blank canvas to build up a palette through painted furniture and accessories.

Neutral greys, however, are an excellent choice for a more relaxed space. Try mid-strength varieties like Resene Foggy Grey, Resene Silver Chalice or Resene Delta which can easily be layered with lighter and darker hues to add interest and drama. Light beiges and muted blues harmonise well too, as they bring a fresh and modern feel. Try Resene Quarter Biscotti or Resene Half Duck Egg Blue with a statement piece of furniture in a traditional red like Resene Jalapeno or Resene Dynamite.

If you track down a statement Danish mid-mod chair in black leather, try it against walls in a cool toned blue like Resene Spindle or Resene Blue Moon for a masculine look. Or opt for an orange like Resene Ayers Rock or Resene Sebedee for more warmth. One of the joys of mid-mod design is creative flair and mixing and matching bold colours and patterns, so don’t feel like your chair has to match your sofa, but the shapes should be similar enough to work together. Stick to black, neutral grey or cream if your chair is in a bold colour like Resene Space Cadet, Resene Lightning Yellow, Resene Daredevil or Resene Havoc and let it do its intended job of creating a focal point.

Selected decor shops specialise in selling pristine mid-mod antiques, but if you’re not afraid of a little elbow grease, it’s not uncommon to find Danish or Danish-inspired furniture in op shops or at garage sales. When it comes to larger pieces like dining tables, entertainment units and coffee tables, thin peg legs and clean lines are where to look. And while they’re likely solidly built, some refinishing will probably be in order to get them back up to snuff. Light to mid wood stains are the most commonly associated with this period, and typically in golden tones. After your piece has been sanded and wiped clean with a dry cloth, try Resene Colorwood Teak, Resene Colorwood Walnut or Resene Colorwood Matai waterborne timber stains to bring back its natural beauty.

Painting older furniture pieces in a solid colour is a great alternative for lesser quality pieces. To bring extra brightness to your space, considered a timeless white like Resene Half Black White or Resene Half Alabaster. Or go for a classic mid-century statement colour like Resene Buttercup, Resene Curious Blue or Resene Sushi.

Keep a few select décor pieces on display that add to the trend. Luckily, with so many options out there, and even companies like Knoll and Vitra still producing original designs, it’s easy to find pieces that will add to the mid-mod look in your home rather than take away from it.

When all else fails though, look to clean and simple lined vases and plant pots in cool charcoals like Resene Half Nocturnal, Resene Grey Friars or Resene Tuna look beautiful as do warm whites like Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream, Resene Eighth Blanc or Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta and blacks like Resene Nero or Resene Blackjack. As a finishing touch, try bringing in a woven rug in a light neutral like Resene Parchment, Resene Fossil or Resene Spanish White for extra softness.


Resene Sorbet

Resene Noir

Resene Party Zone

February 26, 2020

For more paint and wallpaper inspiration, visit your Resene ColorShop or view the latest looks online.

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