Mid Century Modern Rugs

Mid Century Inspired Modern Rugs

What is the Mid-Century Modern Era Style?

The mid-century modern era was an artistic movement that dominated interior design and architecture from around 1940 until the late 1960’s. Still, some define the period to continue as late as the latter half of the 1970’s. Although the official span of the mid-century modern era is over 25 years, today, people commonly use the term to refer to the styles and design approaches of the 1950’s and 1960’s. These styles include Eames, Danish modern, space-age, and atomic ranch.

What are the Roots of Mid-Century Rugs?

The roots of mid-century modern furniture and carpet designs began with the Bauhaus and International movements. New materials were introduced and wall-to-wall carpeting became popular. Colorful area rugs were used as a layer to add interest. Often, mid-century modern designers would create an entirely matched suite that included the furniture, accessories, tapestries, and a rug to match. Sometimes, they would create just a rug that you could mix and match, but many of the surviving mid-century modern rugs that we have today were once part of a matched set. Depending on the designer or artist, they can be highly collectible.

Matching colors and round edges made up a lot of mid-century modern design, as is shown with this rug matching the room.

What Are Mid-Century Modern Art Rugs?

Rugs that featured reproductions of the works of famous artists were a major trend in rug making during the mid century era. These artists laid the foundation of what would explode into the “atomic” age and 1960’s pop art culture. The most influential artists of the time included Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. These works of art found their way onto rugs as a piece of artwork for the floor.

Vintage Scandinavian Andy Warhol Rug

When it comes to interior design, the iconic designs of Charles and Ray Eames defined the era. Eames furniture has a simple and unobtrusive style. The curvy backs and seats soften the lines of mid-century modern rooms. Area rugs were created to complement these style trends and were considered to be an essential element in interior design. Rugs played an important role in Eames era room design and often served as a point of contrast to the furniture.

Rugs played an important part in the designs of Charles and Ray Eames.

Mid-Century Modern Swedish Rya Rugs and Shag Carpets

Another important design trend in mid-century modern interiors were hand-knotted Swedish Rya Rugs. These traditional rugs had been produced by Scandinavian countries for centuries, but they found new life during the mid-century when they became known as shag carpets. This name refers to the shaggy appearance and plush soft texture that is a result of a pile that is thicker and left longer than traditional pile carpets.

The vintage shag rugs were originally made using traditional techniques, but in the mid 20th century, they started showing the iconic “mod” style. The “mod” designs included geometric and abstract shapes in vibrant, and sometimes quite surprising, color combinations. The designs were often simple and focused on form and shape.

A mid-century modern Swedish Rya rug.

The mid-century modern home decor movement eliminated anything that was not absolutely necessary in the room. Curvy rounded rug designs were meant to add contrast to the linear, streamlined furniture. They added depth and texture to the design and were used to draw attention to the clean lines of the other elements of the room. You could often find Swedish Rya Rugs underneath the open legs of coffee tables, television sets, or in front of furniture and architectural features such as fireplaces.

The open space underneath the furniture was the perfect way to emphasize colorful, mid-century modern rugs. An authentic mid-century rug is an excellent addition to a modern version of a retro room. However, these valuable vintage pieces can also be used to recreate the feeling and character of the era.

Round, colorful rugs are the popular mid-century modern rugs. (sold)

Vintage mid-century modern rugs can add an authentic feel to the room and work well with more recent style trends. It works because contemporary designs have their roots in mid-century modern ideals. At the Nazmiyal Collection, we are pleased to offer a selection of authentic mid-century carpets that will complement a range of vintage and modern design trends. Feel free to look around. You just might find the perfect piece to satisfy your mid-century longings.

Mid Century Modern Design: The Future is Now

When interior designers refer to “Mid Century Modern” design, they are referring to an aesthetic style based around the idea of streamlining everyday life using technology that was immensely popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s in the United States and Europe. After World War II, the industrialized nations of the world believed that the future success of their governments were heavily dependent on their ability to implement and adapt to changing technologies, and began to place a high emphasis on engineering, mechanization, and computer science.

A magazine clipping, circa 1960, illustrating the proposed computerization of education.

The effects of this shift are best illustrated by the so called “Space Race,” which refers to the U.S and the Soviet Union’s competitive goal of being the first nation to successfully send a shuttle into orbit, but the emphasis on new technologies extended far beyond the countries’ space programs: In Europe and America, a higher emphasis was being placed on teaching math and science to children, to prepare them to be future innovators.

The American public was incredibly inspired by these ideas of a high-tech future, and the ripple effects of the Space Race echoed throughout culture: Almost every aspect of design in America was subject to a “modern” makeover, resulting in homes and domestic objects that looked like they were plucked straight from an episode of The Jetsons.

Illustration of “Home of Tomorrow” Design, circa 1960.

Aesthetically, the mid century modern design craze was characterized by an emphasis on fabricating objects from futuristic materials, like chrome, Lucite, and other plastics. “Martian” color schemes, including other-worldly, chemically produced hues like burnt orange, acid green, and luminous violet became de rigueur. Cars, home appliances, and furniture took on the smooth curves and aerodynamic lines of space shuttles. Even fashion started taking notes from NASA, with Haute Couture designers like Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges, and Pierre Cardin constructing luxury apparel fit for an astronaut.

Space-Age fashion by Pierre Cardin and Andre Courreges.

Area carpets and rugs were not immune from the mid century modern design trend, and took color and patterning cues from the astronomical zeitgeist of the day: Mathematical tessellations, lava-like curves, and spacey bubbles and stars began cropping up in the rugs of the era’s most stylish homeowners.

Jumping back to 2015, the Mid Century Modern look is experiencing a massive comeback in interior design. Perhaps it’s because we’ve entered a new Space Age of sorts, with the powers of the internet and computer technology digitizing almost every aspect of our lives; or, perhaps the curvy, minimalist style of the 1950’s and 1960’s simply goes well with contemporary designs, which also place an emphasis on graceful forms and user-optimization. Either way, these beautiful vintage rugs look just as modern as they did when they first premiered, half a century ago.

Inside Jean Royère’s Mid Century Modern Design

Jean Royère’s interior designs have an iconic history that matches the biography of the man. From humble beginnings as an banker, Royère earned craftsmanship credit before creating his own definitive style – one that became a favorite of the kings of the Middle East.

From the Shah of Iran to Egyptian King Farouk and King Hussein of Jordan, Royère’s pieces could be found throughout the finest homes of the Middle East. The birthplace of antique Persian carpets, this affinity for mid-century design is perhaps unsurprising.

Illustration of a living room by Jean Royère Photo: Architectural Digest

Decorative, pretty and playful, Royère’s style is a lighthearted compliment to the ornate formality of Oriental rugs. Florals, medallions and muted colors filled royal floors, but a Royère sofa or set of chairs brought the room to life.

“The Royère style is a wonderful amalgam of bright, cheery colors, subtly organic forms and precious materials. Compact and fluid, robust and delicate, Royère’s chairs, lamps, chandeliers, sofas and desks exude a sensuous confidence, suggesting both comfort and alertness,” says the book Jean Royère, the latest retrospective look at the designer’s style.

Interior Designer Jean Royere Style Mid Century Furniture

An exploration of the Royère style, the two volume edition will be unveiled on March 31 through Galerie Jacques Lacoste/Galerie Patrick Seguin.  It includes interviews with designers, art historians and collectors who fell in love with Royère’s work.

The majority of the book is dedicated to Royère’s most iconic pieces, with 380 items of furniture and other creations accompanied by detailed references. But the stand-out feature is the collection of previously unpublished Royère illustrations.

Inside Mid Century Interior Designer Jean Royere Book

He hand-sketched each of his designs individually, with an emphasis on more than just the creation of a great piece or lay-out. Royère’s philosophy centered on one-of-a-kind design. Much like the antique rugs that complimented his pieces, Royère work went beyond definition and was created only for those who “want their decoration to be personal, above all.”

Mid Century Design Jean Royere Book

Here are some of Nazmiyal Collection’s beautiful mid-century modern rugs:

Vintage Swedish Rya Rug Marta Maas Fjetterstrom

Vintage Mid Century Swedish Rya Shag Rug

Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Rug by Ingrid Hellman Knafve

Mid Century Vintage Round Corneille Rug

If you are looking for mid-century wall coverings, these may be perfect for you:

Vintage Swedish Kilim Folk Art Pictorial Tapestry Rug

Vintage Judaic Purim Scene Tapestry Rug

Explore some of our mid-century textiles by Verner Panton:

See all: Verner Panton Fabrics and Textiles | Verner Panton Rugs

Vintage “Kurve” Verner Panton Textile in Blue

Vintage Green “Kreis” Verner Panton Textile

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