Mid Century style is everywhere - go to any new furniture store and you'll find atomic legs, sliding glass doors, geometric prints, and medium-toned woods. The Danish design influence which arrived in the UK in the 1950s and 60s is clearly back, and shows no sign of disappearing.
This is great news for lovers of Mid Century Modern, both those who remember it the first time around, and those who've discovered it recently. But why should anyone choose genuine vintage furniture, when every retailer has a wide range of mid century-inspired items available?
Sustainability
The UN report on Global Forest Resources found that "over the decade since 2010, the net loss in forests globally was 4.7 million hectares per year". Over 22 million hectares of forest has been cut down or burned so far just in 2023ref. Whilst agriculture is the largest contributor to this, creating countless new items, whilst simultaneously sending a similar amount to landfill, is certainly contributing. Buying restored, older pieces rather than brand new reduces the need for virgin resources.
Build Quality
Many vintage items from the 60s and 70s are beautifully made, with solid wood or quality veneers, and dovetail joints. Of course there was a range of quality available then as now, but most mid-range furniture, such as that made by G Plan and Ercol, is excellent quality and has stood the test of time. What's more, solid wood is ideal for restoration, as most marks and damage can be removed.
Value for Money
Compared with the cost of new items of similar quality, vintage items offer fantastic value for money. Restored items are often in wonderful condition, with no or very minimal signs of their long life. As designs have changed very little, they fit beautifully into contemporary homes. 60 years old already, they will last for many generations to come.
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