Mid century wood frequently comes in a variety of colors, including reddish and golden-brown tones, depending on the type of wood used. For example, walnut is a popular mid century style wood that has an interesting grain pattern and a rich dark color.
Ash is another popular mid century option, which has a lighter and more natural tone with hints of yellow. Oak is an ideal choice for achieving a consistent grain pattern and a more neutral, yet still warm tone.
Maple has a clean and bright look with light and creamy colors, while mahogany displays beautiful shades of brown and red.
What wood was popular in mid century furniture?
In mid-century furniture, some of the most popular wood species included walnut, mahogany, teak, rosewood, and ash. These woods were chosen for their aesthetically pleasing looks, durability, and affordability.
Walnut and mahogany were popular for their deep, dark coloring, with teak and rosewood being popular because they developed a rich patina when exposed to light. Ash was favored because of its lighter, more varied color tones and grain.
Mid-century modern designers often used these species of woods — particularly in combination — to create iconic, timeless furniture pieces.
What wood is used in mid-century modern homes?
Mid-century modern homes typically feature furniture and architectural features made of wood. The wood used in mid-century modern homes is often light and airy, such as walnut, oak, maple, birch, and pine.
These light wood shades give a clean and modern look. Darker woods such as cherry, mahogany, and walnut are also popular in mid-century modern furniture and furnishings. Teak is also widely used in mid-century modern homes as it is a hardwood that is highly resistant to wear and tear, making it a great choice for furniture.
Many mid-century modern homes also feature other woods such as eucalyptus, acacia, and balsa. The combination of light and dark woods gives mid-century modern homes a rich and organic look.
Is oak mid-century?
No, oak is not typically considered to be a mid-century style. Mid-century modern design originated in the mid-20th century (typically in the 1940s and 1950s) and is characterized by a focus on simple forms, organic curves, and materials like plastic, plywood, and chrome.
Oak is a natural wood and a popular choice for furniture construction, but is not unique to mid-century modern design. Oak was used long before the mid-20th century in furniture making and continues to be used in modern pieces today.
How do you make furniture look mid-century modern?
Mid-century modern furniture can be achieved in a few different ways. One way is to choose round shapes for chairs, tables, and sofas. This is characteristic of mid-century modern furniture as it promotes gatherings and communal activities.
Colors such as teal, yellow, and mustard can also be used to create a visually stimulating and modern look. When it comes to the material, look for items that are made of natural products such as wood, rattan, and steel.
These materials create an aura of sophistication and add to the modern feel. Additionally, try incorporating curved lines, geometric patterns, and clean lines into chairs, couches, and tables. Lastly, to really capture the mid-century modern style, accent pieces such as metallic lighting fixtures, wall art, and rugs can be used to complete the room.
What is the difference between mid century and mid-century modern?
Mid-century refers to the post-war era from approximately 1945 to 1965 characterized by a “retro” style of modern furniture and architecture reflective of the time period. Mid-century modern, on the other hand, is more of an aesthetic that was popularized in the 1950s and 1960s, inspired heavily by the Scandinavian Modern movement.
Generally, mid-century modern style consists of open floor plans that are decorated with a mix of both natural and industrial materials, as well as minimalistic, streamlined decorative features.
What are characteristics of mid-century modern?
Mid-century modern is a style of design that refers to the period of approximately 1933 to 1965 and is marked by clean, minimalist approaches to such design elements as architecture, furniture, and home décor.
Characteristics associated with this style of design include:
1. Simple, clean lines: Mid-century modern objects are often characterized by an absence of intricate detail in order to keep the overall design feeling uncluttered and sharp. Pieces may incorporate geometric shapes and smooth curves.
2. Natural materials: Mid-century modern often incorporates neutral shades and natural materials such as wood, plastic, metal, and stone.
3. Open space: Mid-century modern leverages elements of minimalism and functionality to emphasize airy, open spaces.
4. Focal points: Mid-century modern pieces are often designed with bold color palettes to create a sense of intrigue, as well as bold shapes or patterns to draw attention and emphasize the focal point of the room.
5. Soft colors: Due to its minimalist approach, mid-century modern often features muted and gentle colors, such as white, beige, and light blues, greens, and pinks.
6. Organic shapes: Organic shapes are an important element of mid-century modern, as they further emphasize the idea of “less is more. ” This also allows designers to play with the idea that one can create something colorful and vibrant while still remaining simplistic.
What wood was used for furniture in the 1950s?
During the 1950s, furniture was typically made from a variety of different types of wood. Most popular woods included mahogany, walnut, cherry, and birch. Occasionally, rosewood was also used. Midcentury modern furniture, which was popular during the 1950s, often featured lighter woods such as teak, oak, or maple.
As composite materials, such as plywood and particleboard, began to become more affordable in the 1950s, they were also used to make furniture, although not as extensively as wood. Additionally, certain furniture styles, like Shaker, during the 1950s were often made with pine, which was more affordable than other hardwoods.
What is Mid-Century Modern furniture made of?
Mid-Century Modern furniture is typically made from a variety of materials. Raw materials commonly used for mid-century modern furniture include wood, metal, plastic, leather, and fabric. Wood used in mid-century modern furniture can range from light woods like pine to darker woods like walnut, and may be finished in a variety of colors and finishes.
Metal used in mid-century modern furniture varies, but is primarily copper, brass, and stainless steel. Plastic used in mid-century modern furniture is vinyl, acrylic, or lucite. Leather used in mid-century modern furniture usually comes in upholstery grades.
A variety of fabrics and colors can also be used to cover mid-century modern furniture. Many mid-century modern designs also feature bright colors and geometric patterns which give the furniture a distinct look.
How hard is elm wood?
Elm wood is generally classified as a hardwood, meaning that it is usually quite hard and has excellent durability. Typically, elm has a Janka Hardness rating of around 900, which puts it on par with oak and maple in terms of hardness and strength.
Elm is commonly used for furniture, flooring, and other hardwood applications due to its strength and relatively fine grain. Its hardness makes it excellent for use in outdoor applications where it can easily withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy use.
Elm can also be used for a variety of carving projects due to its superior machining properties.
What wood is mahogany?
Mahogany is a tropical hardwood tree that is native to Central and South America, as well as parts of Africa. Mahogany is considered a true mahogany because it is a member of the Swietenia genus. It is one of the most commonly used hardwoods for furniture and cabinetry, but it is also used in the production of musical instruments, veneers, and other decorative items.
Mahogany is a reddish-brown color with a straight grain and a fine, even texture. It is considered one of the stronger and more durable woods in the tree species, stable and dense enough to take a variety of finishes and resist rotting in most environments.
Mahogany is one of the more expensive hardwoods to use due to its limited availability.
How can I tell what finish is on antique furniture?
To determine what finish is on antique furniture, you will need to inspect the piece closely. Look for any signs of wear, such as scratches, watermarks, fading, or discoloration. It is also helpful to look at places where furniture generally receives the most wear, such as the legs and arms.
If the finish is glossy, there is good possibility it has a varnish on it. If the finish appears matte and has a lot of color variation, it could possibly be shellac or French polish. If the furniture has been waxed, you should be able to see a waxy residue.
If the finish is painted and chipped, you should look underneath the paint for any greenish tints, which usually indicates lead paint. You can also use a small pocket knife and scrape away a tiny corner of the finish.
If it flakes off, the finish has likely been shellacked. Once you have identified the finish, you can make an educated decision on how to care for it, such as using an antique furniture wax or polish with the appropriate finish.