Mid-Century Modern Living: The Mini Modern's guide to pattern and style

by Keith Stephenson, Mark Hampshire

In this beautifully photographed book, Keith and Mark of Mini Moderns show you how to create a timeless mid-century look in your own home.

Keith and Mark of Mini Moderns refer to their design ethos as 'pattern with a story'. In this beautifully photographed book, they bring you the stories behind their designs and show you how you can use pattern and mid-century style to tell a story in your own home.

Under the Influence explains their "pattern with a story" design ethos and sources of inspiration, ranging from childhood memories to commentaries on popular culture.

Elements of Style delves into the cornerstones of mid-century style, from color and pattern to materials and curation. Here for the first time, they share their secrets on how to bring together the things you love. From adapting some slightly unloved mid-century pieces of furniture by reupholstering them or painting them to then combining them with vases or homewares, you can transform a space or a corner of a room. In Get Mini Modernised, specific case studies demonstrate particular looks for introducing cool pattern to your home, from Beatnik Beach House to Scandi Rustic, Seaside Modern to Studio Townhouse.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Art

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[kerrycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming, informative, and just plain fun - anyone who grew up with MCM style and/or loves it, whether or not they are decorating/designing around it, will enjoy this colorful journey through the decades complete with biographical snippets about influential designers, plenty and plenty of photos, and tons of design plans and suggestions.

I was particularly pleased by the several mentions of Burt Bacharach, as well as the social history included.

[Scott Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice little book. I did not expect it to read like a resume or catalog for the author's company, which it did, but still useful and fun.

[Fiona]

Useful to designing a interior scheme according to your style. Having the colour scheme, patterns to use and type of items makes it much easier to style an interior consistently. Also useful if you like the style but then realise that maybe the colours or patterns aren't your vibe so you should look to other eras for inspiration

[Rebecca Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Great photos and mini features on the best of the best mid century designers in furniture, textiles, glassware, architecture, ceramics, and other mediums. I didn't realize the authors have a print design company or that they're British until I began reading. The perspective from across the pond was not what I initially sought, but it was interesting after I delved in.

[Jodi Geever · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is bursting at the seams with vibrant photos of all that mid-century revival design can be. Sure to tickle your fancy and inspire your inner interior designer. An aesthetic delight!

[mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be a million times better if it weren't for the chaotic layout of the pages and the authors' obsession with tacky patterned backgrounds/wallpapers