Mid century modern furniture is usually paired either with a very retro style or an incredibly modern one; by and large, there isn’t much middle ground between dark-wood-and-gem-tones and stark-lines-and-cool-colors. But lately mid century modern style chairs have found their way into a distinctly different, Nordic-inspired decor: Scandinavian modern design. This style is all about simple, stark, sun-soaked spaces. This might seem like a big departure from the norm. But mid century modern chairs are right at home in this style, which combines the warmth of a mid century decor with the striking elegance of a more modern space.
What is Scandinavian Modern?
White is the base color for a Scandinavian modern design, but not a cold, glossy white. Instead, it’s a white that makes spaces feel wide, open, warm, and clean, particularly by emphasizing natural light. You won’t find much texture or color on the walls; the warmth of these rooms comes from two things: sunlight, and natural, light-finished wood, particularly the floor and furniture. The classic Eames Eiffel chair, with its simple, curved white seat and elegant wood legs is perfectly at home in this style, adding a bright, clean, sculptural touch to a very simple space.
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White, Wood, And Just A Few Accents
Even beyond the white walls and light wood floors, Scandinavian modern design tends to be pretty light on color. Rather than a broad color scheme or coordinating elements, this style prefers small, brightly colored accents that act as punctuation. Think a single throw pillow or a simple yet colorful lighting fixture. Once again, a basic white-and-wood mid century modern chair helps establish this very neutral, natural color scheme. That means the colorful focal point can be something small and specific.
Creating Warmth With Natural Wood
In a sufficiently white room, the wood portions of a mid century modern chair are all the accent you need. This breathtakingly white bedroom is so stark and simple that the elegant, shapely arms of the matching accent chairs are intensely eye-catching. Since the arms and legs of mid century modern chairs are rarely simple, square, or ordinary, they make a natural pair for a very minimalist space, and add a softer, more organic element that makes all that white feel much more inviting.
Choosing Stylish, Shapely Chairs
Of course, not all Scandinavian modern spaces are quite so bare. By increasing the amount of wood used and intermixing all that white with a little bit of gray or light beige, you get a space that’s still simple, but that’s much warmer and has a strong natural vibe – especially when paired with floor-to-ceiling windows. Here, a few mid century modern elbow chairs serve less to add color and more to lend shape. With the exception of their subtly curved backs, almost everything in this kitchen is very straight and square. That, combined with the elegantly tapered legs, mellows the space and lets the natural element shine.
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Contrast With Black and Chrome
On the other end of the spectrum, leather-and-metal mid century modern chairs, like this iconic Wassily chair, can give this same simple, open, natural style a very chic modern appeal. While many mid century modern chairs are very sleek, curvy, and ergonomic in design, others are strikingly unusual. This one in particular cosists of a series of leather straps pulled tight on a tubular metal frame. The use of black leather and metal rather than white plastic or wood give the room a very different vibe. It’s a little less Nordic-feeling, but will stand out in beautiful contrast to the warm neutral backdrop.
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Decorating With Iconic Chairs
Scandinavian modernism is nothing if not an extremely simple, minimalist style. But mid century modern chairs are a good mate for this type of design because they’re deceptively simple themselves; the perfectly ergonomic shapes seem effortless, the lines clean, and the materials subtle and unobtrusive. But those same “simple” designs are widely considered prizes of 20th century design, and are immensely aesthetically pleasing.
Though they’re made from simple materials, they’re ones that really shine when set against a subtle backdrop. Their gently curved and tapered lines add shape and elegance that’s largely absent from more contemporary takes on “modern” design.
