It feels like we’re all being catapulted into the future, but that doesn’t mean leaving the past behind. In fact, Mid-Century Modern design offers a way to bring its enduring warmth, optimism, and craftsmanship into our modern lives. And the good news is that modern technology makes it easier than ever to hunt for MCM and vintage furniture, décor and collectibles. Here are some tips to help you find your next MCM piece for your home.
1. Know where to look.
There are a lot of places you can find Mid Century Modern furniture and décor. Shop at:
- Antique stores and thrift stores
- Stores dedicated to MCM
- Estate sales
- Auctions
- Flea markets
- Garage sales
- FB Marketplace and other online communities
- Community fundraiser events
- Online marketplaces like Etsy and Ebay
2. Use a variety of search terms when hunting online.
Say you want a Barcelona chair, and are searching online. “Barcelona chair” is certainly the most important keyword to search for. But you can also try terms like “Mies van der Rohe chair,” “Mies chair,” mid century leather chair,” “Knoll style chair,” “tufted MCM chair,” etc.
3. Set out early, come back late.
If you’re going to an event like an antique sale, estate sale, monthly market, or so on, you should try to show up right when it opens. This gives you your best shot at the most exciting items.
But if you want bargains, you may want to stay until the day’s end, or leave and come back. Later in the day, sellers may be more willing to negotiate their prices to offload items that still have not sold.
4. Test out items before you purchase.
Even if an item looks great, it may or may not be in useable condition. If you are able, try and test out furniture before you buy it. Open and close drawers, sit on chairs, test out any mechanical features like reclining, etc. This is also a good chance to make sure that you find the furniture comfortable enough for daily use.
5. Bring the right supplies.
When you’re shopping in person for MCM, bring any supplies with you that you might end up needing. For example, it’s smart to have a tape measure to check dimensions, both for accuracy (which can help you identify if a piece is authentic) and for the fit in your home. You may want to bring moving blankets as well. You should also carry cash, as some vendors may not accept cards, or might have card minimums.
6. Look past the surface.
Not everything you see at an estate sale or antique store is always going to be in pristine condition or perfectly-presented. But there may be some high-quality pieces hiding right in front of you.For example, you might spot a furnishing which looks like it has a bad finish. But closer examination could reveal that the finish can be restored with cleaning and waxing. Or, you may see what looks at first to be an ordinary lamp, only to realize that underneath a contemporary shade is an authentic MCM base. You would just need to replace the shade.
7. Use visual identification apps.
Not sure what you’ve found is MCM or not, or what specific item it is? These days, you can just pull out your phone and scan the item right in the store using an app like Google Lens. There are even specialty visual scanning apps like Treasure Fox, which has a proprietary database just for identifying MCM. These types of apps can instantly tell you what you might be looking at. Just keep in mind that some items might require further authentication.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like Shopping for Mid Century Glass and Mid Century Modern Shopping in Texas.
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