Why We Love Mid-Century Modern Furniture
The mid-century modern movement is so much more than the sets you see on TV shows like Mad Men or the iconic, highly sought-after pieces like the Eames Lounge Chair or the Noguchi Coffee Table.
Characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and a minimalistic yet functional approach, the mid-century modern furniture movement dates back to the 1940s, a period of significant change in furniture design that was influenced by the post-war economic boom.
Mid-century modern designers Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, and Hans Wegner transformed traditional furniture into sleek and modern pieces that reflected the post-war optimism of the time. Their designs focused on functionality while being aesthetically pleasing and to this day, remain relevant and enduring. Mid-century modern’s simple lines, uncluttered space, and functionality makes it an ideal choice for today’s homeowners who want to create a seamless flow from space to space, with an emphasis on openness and clean lines. And for furniture designers like us, the mid-century modern movement provides an endless source of inspiration.
Like all our furniture, the materials you see in mid-century modern furniture are of top-notch quality. Wood, metal, leather, and even injection-molded plastics became popular choices, with companies like Herman Miller and Knoll at the forefront, producing some of the most iconic pieces of the time. Skilled craftspeople paid attention to every detail, ensuring that these furniture pieces were made to last.
Even though it had its heyday in the mid-century period, mid-century design still feels fresh and relevant today. You can mix mid-century modern pieces with contemporary furniture and create a cohesive look that works beautifully. It's a versatile style that blends seamlessly with different interior design aesthetics, whether you're going for Scandinavian, modern, or even rustic vibes.
Functionality and practicality are top priorities in mid-century modern furniture. The designs make efficient use of space, with a focus on usability and comfort.
We know we may be biased, but mid-century modern furniture truly does have it all: timeless design, functionality, and craftsmanship. It seamlessly blends with different styles, adds value to your home, and brings a touch of sophistication to your space.
The Golden Ratio in Furniture Design
When it comes to making furniture, we want it to feel sturdy, be functional, and stand the test of time. We also, of course, want it to look good.
When combined with other essential aspects of furniture design, like functionality and ergonomics, the golden ratio can be a helpful tool for achieving visual harmony and proportion. Its application in furniture design can serve as a guide for creating aesthetically pleasing and balanced designs.
To refresh those of us who maybe slept through high school math, the golden ratio is a mathematical ratio that's been used in art, architecture, and design for centuries. Also known as the divine proportion, it's a ratio of approximately 1:1.6 that occurs naturally in various shapes and forms. We see this ratio in everything from seashells to tree branches, our bodies to the Great Pyramids of Giza.
When it comes to furniture design, the golden ratio can be used as a guide for determining ideal proportions. For example, a chair or table that's the right height, width, and depth relative to its other dimensions will look more attractive. Similarly, the golden ratio can be used to determine the ideal size and placement of decorative elements such as legs, arms, and stitching.
One of the reasons why the golden ratio works so well in furniture design is that it creates a sense of proportion and balance that's natural and intuitive. When we look at a piece of furniture that's been designed with the golden ratio in mind, we don't have to think about why it looks good–our brains are wired to find harmonious and balanced proportions pleasing.
Another benefit of using the golden ratio in furniture design is that it can help make a space feel more cohesive. When designing furniture ensembles or arranging multiple pieces together, the golden ratio can help establish a pleasing size relationship between different elements. By considering the ratio in determining the scale of individual furniture pieces in relation to one another, you can achieve a sense of coherence and unity in the overall composition.
Finally, it's worth noting that using the golden ratio in furniture design doesn't mean sacrificing functionality or durability. In fact, by paying attention to proportional principles, designers can often create furniture that's more structurally sound and comfortable to use than pieces that are designed without those principles in mind. Ultimately, the golden ratio is just one of many tools that furniture designers can use to create pieces that are both attractive and functional.
Making the Most of a Tight Entryway with Floating Furniture
It’s a common problem area in many homes: a tight entryway. Whether you live in a small apartment or a house with an awkward entry layout, it can be difficult to find space for traditional furniture pieces in an entryway without making the area feel cramped. The good news is that with a little creativity and the use of floating furniture, you can make the most of your tight entryway and create a functional and stylish landing place for yourself and your guests.
The Power of Wall-Mounted Shelves
When space is at a premium, take advantage of your walls! Wall-mounted shelves provide vertical storage space without taking up any floor space. Use them to store shoes, hats, sunglasses–whatever you’d want to store by the door. To keep the area looking streamlined, choose shelves in a neutral finish–like white oak or maple–and keep clutter to a minimum. For some added visual interest, incorporate plants or decorative items on the shelves.
Floating Console Tables
If you need a surface for keys, mail, or other items, consider a floating console table. Because it doesn’t touch the floor, it won’t take up any ground space, making it perfect for a tight entryway. Choose a slim profile to keep the area feeling open, and look for one with storage options like drawers or shelves for added functionality. Pair with a stylish mirror, and you’ve got yourself a practical yet chic entryway setup.
Utilize Vertical Space
When floor space is tight, don’t forget about your ceiling! Overhead storage can be a great solution for items that aren’t needed regularly, such as seasonal accessories or sporting equipment. Consider a hanging storage system that can be easily installed and provides ample space for keeping items out of sight until they’re needed.
The Importance of Lighting
In a tight entryway, lighting is key. A well-lit space can make it feel more open and welcoming. If your entryway doesn’t have a lot of natural light, consider investing in wall sconces, pendant lights, or even a floor lamp. To maximize the effect, choose a light fixture with a warm color temperature or install dimmer switches to customize the brightness depending on the time of day.
A tight entryway doesn’t need to cramp your style. With some strategic planning and the use of floating furniture and creative storage solutions, you can make the most of even the smallest of spaces. Remember to keep things minimal and choose pieces that work double-duty to maximize functionality. And most importantly, have fun with it! Like any space in your home, your entryway should reflect your personal needs and style so that every time you walk through the door you immediately feel at home.
You’ve likely heard of VOCs if you’ve ever shopped for paint. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are commonly found in many commercially available petroleum-based household products. In terms of furniture finish, additives such as solvents, hardeners, and driers are commonly used to enhance performance. The problem with VOCs is that they emit hazardous gasses during the application, drying, and sometimes even in their solid state after the finish has dried. These fumes can be harmful and may cause a variety of health problems. A quick online search can provide much more detail than we’ll go into here but the bottom line is that VOCs can cause harm ranging from mild eye irritation to cancer. We say no thanks to that.
For the health and safety of our employees and customers, we use only VOC-free furniture finishes. The brand we use in our shop is made from a pure polymerized Linseed oil. Due to a lack of chemical driers and hardeners, this oil finish takes longer to dry and cure, but the high-quality oil brings out the natural beauty of the wood like nothing else.
French toast, French press. Lots of great things come from France. One of our favorites is the French cleat. A French cleat is usually a strip of wood fixed to a wall on which a cabinet or fixture can be hung. This method has been around for hundreds of years, and the term is believed to have originated in the 1800s from French shipbuilders.
Usually, the French cleat has a mate that is connected to the item being hung. Most commonly, the French cleat is cut with a 45-degree slope, which helps the two pieces connect quickly, easily, and securely. The genius behind this system is not only the sheer strength of the mounting but also its ability to completely hide screws and wall anchors from view. This technique has been used for generations to hang kitchen cabinets, artwork, mirrors, and more.
Here at Krøvel Furniture Co., we utilize this method for all of our floating furniture. Our mounting system uses a ¾-inch recess within the back of each cabinet to completely hide the French cleat, creating a clean, modern look. Once the wall cleat is screwed into the wall studs, the work is done. Effortlessly lift your cabinet or table onto the wall cleat and the pairing cleat within the cabinet marries neatly and securely. When it’s time to remove, simply lift up and away.
Simple, functional, beautiful. Yes, s'il vous plaît.
The Benefits of Floating Furniture
The phrase “floating furniture” can mean a couple different things these days. Floating furniture can refer to the practice of moving all furniture towards the center of a room away from the walls to give the illusion of more space, to create a sense of intimacy, and to allow for more movement along the perimeter.
Floating furniture can also refer to what we make here at Krøvel Furniture Co. Magicians never reveal their secrets, but as furniture makers and designers we’re happy to tell you how it’s done. Our furniture is made to hang on a wall, free of legs of course, and also using hardware that isn’t visible once the piece is hung. The hidden hardware used to fasten these pieces securely to the wall is key to achieving that floating-in-space look.
So why might someone choose floating furniture over a traditional piece of furniture?
Like all good design, floating furniture offers benefits in both form and function. When considering nightstands, for example, a leg-less wall-hung table can offer a clean modern look while also offering the space a lighter feeling. Simply put, the appearance of more space makes the room feel larger and less cluttered. This is especially important in small spaces where every inch needs to be maximized.
Functionally, floating furniture makes it easy to keep your space organized and clean. Vacuuming under a floating table helps tell the whole story: goodbye dust bunnies and carpet dimples!
We make everything from floating nightstands and TV media tables to floating bookcases, entryway shelves, and even desks. For an easy-on-the-eyes, space-saving, modern solution, floating furniture can do the trick–in any room.