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From Mad Men to the Playboy Mansion: How Mid-Century Modern Became the World’s Favorite Style
*Be sure to check out the visual companion to this episode*
Welcome to the third episode of The Render, a podcast hosted by Modsy’s very own Alessandra Wood and Maddy Warner, that is all about the untold stories from the world of interior design.
In the third episode, Maddy and Alessandra are joined by special guest and Mid-Century Modern expert, Lark Morgenstern, as they unpack why the world is so obsessed with Mid-Century Modern design. The trio talks all about the style’s rise to popularity, its resurgence in the 90s, some designers to know (beyond the Eames), where the trend is heading in the future, and we even get into the surprising connection between the Playboy mansion and mid-century modern design.
We hope you enjoyed the show! Share your thoughts on this show and your ideas for future ones at [email protected], don’t hesitate to slide into our Instagram dm’s @modsydesign and tune in next time.
This podcast is sponsored by online interior design service Modsy, the impossibly easy way to design your home.
About
Lark Morgenstern is a decorative art and design specialist. She has a B.B.A in Strategic Design + Management and an M.A in History of Design and Curatorial Studies from Parsons School of Design. Over her career, she has worked in furniture and fine art galleries. In 2016, she founded the 133 Design Collective, a network of artists, designers, and performers, and curated exhibitions showcasing young designer’s work.
Find out more on LinkedIn|Instagram|Website
Dr. Alessandra Wood is VP of Style at Modsy as well as a design historian with an eye towards the future. She studied design history & theory and is obsessed with applying that knowledge to understand what makes products beautiful/useful/successful, and what inspires people to love those products.
*The source of your next cocktail party banter.
Find out more on Twitter|LinkedIn|Instagram|Website
Madeline Warner is the Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Modsy as well as a one-woman content show. A writer and editor as well as a design enthusiast, she’s been working in the design industry for five years and specializes in bringing the expertise of an interior designer to the good laypeople.
*Resident furniture pun expert.
Find out more on LinkedIn|Instagram
The Render is edited and produced by Rachael Tellerman. Rachael is a graphic designer at Modsy and is fascinated by the many ways people tell stories. She is also an artist, avid media consumer, and excited to be entering the world of podcasting.
*Makes a delicious baked ziti.
Find out more on LinkedIn|Website
Mid-Century Modern Interior DesignWhat is Mid-Century Modern Interior Design?
Mid-Century Modern interior design is a style characterized by its use of natural woods, bold colors, slightly whimsical furniture designs, organic shapes, and tapered legs. Mid-Century Modern style interiors are comfortable and encourage lounging, relaxation, and conversation. Learn more about Mid-Century Modern Design on our blog.
Scandinavian vs. Mid-Century Modern Design
There are some subtle differences between Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern design. While the two came to life in the same time period, Mid-Century Modern design focused on the use of new materials like plastics, fiberglass, wire, and aluminum. By contrast, Scandinavian design took a much more organic approach to shapes and featured natural materials like wood, specifically birch and ash varieties.
Cranbrook Academy of the Arts
Many of the designers that we associate with Mid-Century Modern design, studied at Cranbrook Academy of the Arts. This was a school founded by Eliel Saarinen (Eero Saarinen's father) who was the school’s architect and president.
The “Collector’s Market”
Just like the stock market, in the collector’s market we see certain pieces of furniture, designers, or even design styles that go up and down in value. This is particularly evident in Mid-Century Modern designs, which are so widely copied and reproduced.
Organic Modernism
Organic modernism is a style that pulls in rustic elements to a Mid-Century framework and infuses the style with a sense of warmth and creature comforts—something we could all use right about now.
ResourcesWallpaper Magazine
Organic Modernism
Mid-Century Modern Interior Design Ideas
Designers to Know:
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Harry Bertoia
- Eero Saarenin
- George Nelson
- Alvar Aalto
- Mel Smilow
- Lina Bo Bardi
Furniture Designs to Know
- Eames Lounge Chair
- Papa Bear Chair
- Savoy Vase
- Cesca Chair
- Marshmallow Sofa
- Jeanneret Chair
- Antelope Chair
View all episodes
By Modsy*Be sure to check out the visual companion to this episode*
Welcome to the third episode of The Render, a podcast hosted by Modsy’s very own Alessandra Wood and Maddy Warner, that is all about the untold stories from the world of interior design.
In the third episode, Maddy and Alessandra are joined by special guest and Mid-Century Modern expert, Lark Morgenstern, as they unpack why the world is so obsessed with Mid-Century Modern design. The trio talks all about the style’s rise to popularity, its resurgence in the 90s, some designers to know (beyond the Eames), where the trend is heading in the future, and we even get into the surprising connection between the Playboy mansion and mid-century modern design.
We hope you enjoyed the show! Share your thoughts on this show and your ideas for future ones at [email protected], don’t hesitate to slide into our Instagram dm’s @modsydesign and tune in next time.
This podcast is sponsored by online interior design service Modsy, the impossibly easy way to design your home.
About
Lark Morgenstern is a decorative art and design specialist. She has a B.B.A in Strategic Design + Management and an M.A in History of Design and Curatorial Studies from Parsons School of Design. Over her career, she has worked in furniture and fine art galleries. In 2016, she founded the 133 Design Collective, a network of artists, designers, and performers, and curated exhibitions showcasing young designer’s work.
Find out more on LinkedIn|Instagram|Website
Dr. Alessandra Wood is VP of Style at Modsy as well as a design historian with an eye towards the future. She studied design history & theory and is obsessed with applying that knowledge to understand what makes products beautiful/useful/successful, and what inspires people to love those products.
*The source of your next cocktail party banter.
Find out more on Twitter|LinkedIn|Instagram|Website
Madeline Warner is the Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Modsy as well as a one-woman content show. A writer and editor as well as a design enthusiast, she’s been working in the design industry for five years and specializes in bringing the expertise of an interior designer to the good laypeople.
*Resident furniture pun expert.
Find out more on LinkedIn|Instagram
The Render is edited and produced by Rachael Tellerman. Rachael is a graphic designer at Modsy and is fascinated by the many ways people tell stories. She is also an artist, avid media consumer, and excited to be entering the world of podcasting.
*Makes a delicious baked ziti.
Find out more on LinkedIn|Website
Mid-Century Modern Interior DesignWhat is Mid-Century Modern Interior Design?
Mid-Century Modern interior design is a style characterized by its use of natural woods, bold colors, slightly whimsical furniture designs, organic shapes, and tapered legs. Mid-Century Modern style interiors are comfortable and encourage lounging, relaxation, and conversation. Learn more about Mid-Century Modern Design on our blog.
Scandinavian vs. Mid-Century Modern Design
There are some subtle differences between Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern design. While the two came to life in the same time period, Mid-Century Modern design focused on the use of new materials like plastics, fiberglass, wire, and aluminum. By contrast, Scandinavian design took a much more organic approach to shapes and featured natural materials like wood, specifically birch and ash varieties.
Cranbrook Academy of the Arts
Many of the designers that we associate with Mid-Century Modern design, studied at Cranbrook Academy of the Arts. This was a school founded by Eliel Saarinen (Eero Saarinen's father) who was the school’s architect and president.
The “Collector’s Market”
Just like the stock market, in the collector’s market we see certain pieces of furniture, designers, or even design styles that go up and down in value. This is particularly evident in Mid-Century Modern designs, which are so widely copied and reproduced.
Organic Modernism
Organic modernism is a style that pulls in rustic elements to a Mid-Century framework and infuses the style with a sense of warmth and creature comforts—something we could all use right about now.
ResourcesWallpaper Magazine
Organic Modernism
Mid-Century Modern Interior Design Ideas
Designers to Know:
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Harry Bertoia
- Eero Saarenin
- George Nelson
- Alvar Aalto
- Mel Smilow
- Lina Bo Bardi
Furniture Designs to Know
- Eames Lounge Chair
- Papa Bear Chair
- Savoy Vase
- Cesca Chair
- Marshmallow Sofa
- Jeanneret Chair
- Antelope Chair