The Contemporary Periods 1900-1970

     From 1900 to 1970, the history of furniture design underwent dramatic transformations, reflecting broader cultural shifts and technological advancements. Early in the century, the Arts and Crafts Movement emphasized handmade, quality craftsmanship, while the Art Nouveau style introduced flowing, organic forms. The rise of modernism in the 1920s and 1930s, exemplified by Bauhaus and the International Style, championed functional, minimal designs with a focus on industrial materials. Post-World War II, mid-century modernism flourished with its clean lines, innovative use of materials like molded plastic, and a strong emphasis on comfort and practicality. By the 1960s and 1970s, furniture design embraced experimentation with bold colors, unconventional shapes, and an eclectic mix of styles, responding to changing societal values and the growing influence of pop culture.

The Marshmallow Sofa

The Marshmallow Sofa, designed by George Nelson in 1956, embodies the playful and innovative spirit of mid-century modern design, with its bold use of circular, soft, and organic shapes, vibrant colors, and a focus on functionality, emphasizing comfort, simplicity, and a sense of casual luxury.

The Womb Chair

The Womb Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, reflects the organic and sculptural qualities of mid-century modern design, with its curvaceous, enveloping form, soft, muted colors, and an emphasis on comfort and functionality, embodying the period’s focus on innovative, ergonomic designs that prioritized both aesthetics and relaxation.

The Tulip Chair

The Tulip Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1955, embodies the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of mid-century modernism, with its futuristic, fluid silhouette, a focus on clean lines, smooth curves, and the innovative use of molded fiberglass, reflecting the period's fascination with technology, streamlined forms, and the desire for functional yet sculptural design.

The Credenza

The credenza reflects the design ethos of the mid-20th century, characterized by clean lines, minimalist forms, and the use of warm, natural wood finishes like teak and walnut, while also embracing functional simplicity, a blend of organic and geometric shapes, and a focus on craftsmanship, reflecting the era's emphasis on both aesthetics and practicality.

The Tallboy Dresser

The Tallboy dresser, popular during the mid-century modern period, draws on minimalist design principles with its clean lines, simple geometric shapes, and a focus on functional storage, often featuring natural wood finishes like walnut or teak, while embracing the era's philosophy of combining form with practicality and subtle elegance.

Last but not least, my favorite piece.....

The Egg Chair

The Egg Chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958, reflects the mid-century modern movement’s emphasis on organic forms, innovative use of materials, and sculptural, ergonomic design, with its bold, curving silhouette, vibrant yet understated colors, and focus on comfort, privacy, and modernist aesthetics, blending functionality with a futuristic sense of style.

I personally love this chair because of its eclectic futuristic aesthetic.  It makes me think of the 1960s space race.  This chair also looks like something straight out of the Jetsons cartoon.