MIDCENTURY IN A NON MIDCENTURY HOUSE

Surprising even to myself, I find that I am drawn to midcentury modern (MCM) homes and furniture pieces. I think I love the clean but soft lines and the unfussiness of it all. It is likely good that I don’t currently live in a midcentury home because I would be ALL IN– lol.

Nonetheless, my lack of a midcentury house has not stopped me from purchasing a few midcentury-inspired pieces for our 1913 Beach Cabin and 1926 Colonial Home.

*DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links/photos, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! Also… this is my interpretation of midcentury. I’m definitely not an expert! The pieces just give me those midcentury-kinda vibes, whether super accurate or very loosely associated.

MIDCENTURY at THE BEACH CABIN

I found the dining chairs pictured above on our town’s garage sale site and love them. Occasionally, I think that I should change them out for something “more cottage-y” but ultimately I really like the juxtaposition that they add to the space. They are interesting, comfortable, easy to clean, and are staying. (Here are some similar chairs. I also like these.)

We recently purchased an outdoor sectional from Article for the Beach Cabin screened in porch. This truly is an indoor-outdoor space and the midcentury-inspired piece fits the ambiance perfectly. Again, there is a mixture of cottage pieces that seem to work with MCM. I’m not sure how exactly they work together. Maybe the indoor-outdoor mode.

We placed a chair from the same outdoor set in our Hotel-Inspired Guest Bedroom at the beach cabin too. The color scheme goes so well. And, I guess our beach cabin is now a MCM Cottage Style. Is that a thing?

Finally, we ordered midcentury-inspired sconces for the main bedroom when we first moved into the Beach Cabin. I think I just ordered them because I liked them and the price was right. It definitely wasn’t for my current vision of having that MCM Cottage Style. Either way, lighting can be a great subtle (or not so subtle) and interesting way to add the MCM touch. (Here is a similar option.)

MIDCENTURY at our COLONIAL HOME

Back at home, we have also incorporated some midcentury pieces into our home design. Our wishbone-inspired kitchen chairs are a favorite and were found at a pretty good price too. The rounded legs help to keep the space warm and inviting despite the metal kitchen table top. I suppose these could be considered more Scandinavian but I like to think that the rounded legs are a nod to MCM too. (Similar chairs can be found here and here and here.)

Another midcentury favorite is our turned leg planter from West Elm, which is currently housed in our traditional dining room. Again, I like that it adds interest and lightens up the traditional space. I think that it works because our color palette is quite neutral so it feels okay to choose to add a pop with a change in design style. The planter was a definite splurge, but I have not ever wondered if it was *worth it*.