Mid-Century Never Ages - Here’s Why! | Bygone Times

One of the most popular, timeless and enduringly vibrant interior decor styles, mid-century modern remains one of Bygone Times’ best-selling categories.

Any collector or vintage enthusiast that has walked the corridors of the Grove Mill has certainly felt the inescapable pull of rich teak sideboards, atomic-era clocks, sleek task lamps and stylish West German ceramics that adorn the shelves and stalls of Bygone Times.

Trends come, go and evolve, but mid-century modern pieces have an incredible habit of looking fresh, and they remain as stylish and relevant as when they were designed over half a century ago.

Bygone Times, the home to over 500 independent stallholders and local businesses across the North-West, are one of the UK’s leading antiques, vintage and collectables centres, and mid-century modern are among the most sought-after and exhibited styles.

To learn more about mid-century and why it refuses to age, it’s important to understand its origin, its indicative features, and what to look out for on your next decor hunt at Bygone Times!

How Mid-Century Modern Was Born

Emerging from the post-WW2 gloom, mid-century modern is a movement originating from the mid 1940s to the late 1960s. A stark contrast to the darkness of wartime scarcity and heavy, ornate traditional furniture, mid-century modern was a juxtaposition, radiating optimism, light and smart functionality.

Embracing new materials and sleek manufacturing techniques, designers across Europe and Scandinavia, including iconic British suppliers like G-Plan, Ercol and Mcintosh, aimed to develop stylish, well-engineered pieces fit for smaller, post WW2 modern homes.

The goal of mid-century was to celebrated open spaces, harnessing the natural and uplifting beauty of natural light and clean silhouettes, whilst steering away from the days of spoiling a room’s architecture behind oversized drapery or heavy mahogany.

What Makes a Piece Indicative of Mid-Century Style

From furniture and lighting to homewares and accessories, mid-century pieces are easily categorised by some unmistakeable, virtually patented characteristics.

• Clean Organic Lines: With minimalist profiles, mid-century modern furniture is known for its sleek, wavy and gentle curvatures, as opposed to harsh sharp angles and carvings.
• Tapered Compass Legs: Providing an airy sense of space underneath, mid-century tables, sideboards and armchairs feature slanting, tapered wooded or brass legs.
• Homely Beautiful Hardwoods: The mid-century era is dominated by richly grained, uplifting and warming teak, rosewood or walnut, adding natural colour to living areas.
• Convenience & Functionality: Built for practical, dynamic living and prioritising space, mid-century furniture including nesting tables, expandable dinning tables and modular wall units, as everything was made with purpose.
• Fun, Groovy & Vibrant Accented Colours: Whilst tables and furniture utilised warm wood, accessories were playful and vibrant, from sunburst mirrors and starburst clocks to sculptural brass lighting and elegant West German pottery.

Shop Mid-Century Furniture at Bygone Times

If you’re looking to shop furniture like a pro, then consider beautiful mid-century modern and its versatility. It’s not necessary to fill your home, apartment, office or university accommodation with 1960s decor – a little mid-century sideboard, stylish floor lamp or colourful mirror can bring your space together and effortless infused classic vintage with contemporary interiors.

Built using solid hardwoods and high-quality craftsmanship, mid-century modern pieces have already survived 60 years, and are ready for another 60.

Furniture

• Classic Teak Sideboards
• Coffee Tables
• Ercol Fining Chairs
• Ladder-Axle Wall Units

Lighting & Mirrors

• Teak & Brass Floor Lamps
• Atomic Reading Lamps
• Starburst Wall Mirrors

Ceramics & Ornaments

• Studio Pottery
• West German Art Vases
• Retro Dining Table Accents

Clocks

• Vintage Battery Clocks
• Mechanical Wall Clocks

From sleek tapered legs and warm teak grains – the next time you visit Bygone Times, look out for mid-century furniture to invigorate your home, bedroom or kitchen.