Shop The Look // Mid Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern refers to the style of furniture, art and architecture popularised during the mid-20th century, the term being cemented by Carla Greenberg in her 1983 book "Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950's". It is seen as one of the most popular, collectable and dynamic periods in international design history.
Designs from the mid-century period combine beauty, innovation , and function for an aesthetic that is utterly timeless. Characterised by their pared-down forms, sweeping clean lines, variety of colour, unique materials and superb quality, the modern day popularity of these mid-century pieces is a testament to the talent of designers of the time such as Charles and Ray Eames, Hans J Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe.

Shop the entire Mid-Century Modern range now at Utility.

Featured Product

Mid Century Modern Complete - Tome
Price: £60.00 at Utility
The definitive survey of mid-century design, offering a rich overview of all aspects of the subject including furniture, lighting, glass, textile and architecture.

SPECIAL OFFER

Spend £300 or more on Mid Century Modern furniture, design or gifts and you will receive a free copy of Dominic Bradbury's Mid Century Modern Complete tome.

Click here for more information.

Eames Desk Unit EDU
Price: £985.00 at Utility
The Eames Desk Unit from Vitra was created in 1949, when Charles & Ray Eames developed a new system of free-standing multi functional shelves.

Saarinen Tulip Chair
Price: From £1,140.00 at Utility
Though it epitomises 1960's styling Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair was actually designed as a project between 1955 and 1957. The moulded aluminium base and fibreglass reinforced plastic shell completes its classic look.

Eames LTR Table
Price: From: £205 at Utility
This small variable side table from Charles & Ray Eames is available in Black, White or Gold and can be still seen today in the Eames House.

Barcelona Chair
Price: From £4,908.00 at Utility
Designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for the German Pavilion at the Exposicion Internacional de Barcelona, it was actually used as a throne for King Alfonso XIII at the exhibition's opening ceremonies.

Womb Chair & Ottoman
Price: From £4,884.00 at Utility
The Womb Chair & Ottoman, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, was the first piece of mass produced furniture with an integrated seat shell made of reinforced plastic. Saarinen developed the chair at Florence Knoll's request as she really wanted something to curl up in.

Arco Floor Lamp
Price: From: £1,565.00 at Utility
The Arco Lamp from Flos is the epitome of a design classic. Designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1962 it remains one of the most enduring pieces of Italian design.

Frisbi Pendant Light
Price: £280.00 at Utility
A classic 1978 design by Achille Castiglioni. It consists of a polished black and chrome lamp holder under which is suspended a round cream/white disc diffuser on three tensile wires from the cable.

Luminator Floor Lamp
Price: £395.00 at Utility
Designed by brothers Achille & Pierre Giacomo Castiglioni in 1954 the Flos Luminator represents a simple tripod stand with a long galvanised stem on which the bulb is mounted.

Snoopy Table Lamp
Price: £640.00 at Utility
Everybody loves Snoopy don't they? Snoopy is a 1967 design from Flos by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni and its profile and monochrome colouring reminds us of Charlie Brown's silent yet extroverted beagle.

Alessi Citrus Basket
Price: £94.00 at Utility
This classic Citrus Basket from Alessi was designed in 1952 by Ufficio Tecnico Alessi and is one of the earliest projects of industrial design still in production by the company. No self respecting Alessi collector should be without this one!

Sunburst Clock
Price: £252.00 at Utility
This gorgeous re-edition Sunburst Clock from Vitra by George Nelson embodies the spirit of the day when it was first designed - when everyone wanted to be modern and everything seemed possible.

VITRA Doll No 4
Price: £87.50 at Utility
Based on originals found in the Girard Estate held by the Vitra Design Museum, the partly joyful, partly grim-looking company dolls makes a charming enhancement to any interior.

Hang It All
Price: £207.00 at Utility
Originally designed in 1953 by Charles Eames, it seems almost too good to cover with coats and hats. It was designed to encourage children to hang up their coats, hats, toys etc. When you have something as beautiful as this to them on you would - wouldn't you? Shop the entire Mid-Century Modern collection at Utility today.

Design at a Discount

We've been having a warehouse tidy up as well as giving our showroom a spring makeover. Making room means clearing out and we've added some great deals to our online clearance section but there's only ones so be quick! Check out two Carl Hansen chair designs - the Colonial Chair in gorgeous walnut and leather at 25% off and an upholstered CH445 Wingback Chair at a massive 40% off. From Vitra there's a beautiful chocolate leather Repos Chair at 25% off and a range of Metal Side Tables by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec at 20% off. There's 40% off Alessi Limited Edition Crevasse Vases by Zaha Hadid as well as 33% off the Pinch Vase, launched last year. There's also a gorgeous B&B Italia Tufty Too Sofa (ex display) at 34% off and a Knoll Girard Table by Alexander Girard at 24% off and 8 Tom Dixon Slab Chairs at 25% off.  These are just a few of our great deals, many on brand new and unused products but see the Clearance and Sale Section for all our great offers.

Well Dressed

Launched this spring is the Dressed range of watches from Alessi. Created my Dutch design genius Marcel Wanders this family of watches offers something for everyone - whatever your style. Each watch has the same case and distinctive design running through it - or in this case on the back. Like so many Wanders' designs the true beauty is only revealed on inspection with each dial having a pattern on the reverse - the idea being that only the wearer knows of its presence - a final touch in being dressed for the occasion. Classic masculine proportions give way to fine detailing on the exquisite hour hand. Markings are a combination of contemporary dots or classic numerals with the collection appealing to any colour preference - from cutting edge steel to classic black to vibrant orange and two gold options. Marcel Wanders signature silhouette is shown on each dial.

Piana Folding Chair by David Chipperfield

Piana exudes ample amounts of style whilst still managing to be hugely functional, thanks to the tremendous talents of designer, David Chipperfield, for Alessi. Piana exhibits Chipperfield's modernist style and dedication to quality resulting in a folding chair that many have failed to successfully achieve - refined contemporary contours, rigour and precision. Available in a range of bright solid colours, Piana is made from polypropylene reinforced with fibreglass - making it 100% recyclable and suitable for outdoor use! A geometric masterpiece, the design is simplicity in its finest form - something at which Chipperfield excels.

Alessi Cutlery

Grocery giant Tesco - has teamed up with Alessi for a timed cutlery promotion. Customers collect vouchers (allocated at the till depending on your spend) which can then be redeemed against one of Alessi's cutlery rages - Nuovo Milano. With fantastic discounts to be had (and there are literally thousands of these vouchers on Ebay) Alessi have done this to raise awareness of their brand amongst the wider Tesco shopping public. The promotion is only on for a short time but we've added the Nuovo Milano Cutlery range to our online store for customers who require items after the promotion has finished. As well as all the other Alessi Cutlery ranges we've also added the fantastic value "Ovale"  design (pictured) by French design brothers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, a new addition for 2012 which has been given our thumbs up!

NEW Alessi Chrismas Baubles

With Christmas just around the corner (yes, Autumn seems to have lasted just a day) this year Alessi have launched a range of Christmas Tree Baubles. Designed by Marcello Jori each is made from glass and is hand painted. Larger than your avarage bauble there are 10 in the range with the nativity being the theme. They include the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Ox and Donkey, Angel, Shooting Star and the three kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. They're available singly at £14.00 (beautifully gift boxed naturally) or a full set for £139.00. Guess what's adorning the Utility Christmas tree this year?

Alessi Uselen Paper Knife

Elegant and graceful Uselen is a new paper knife introduced by Alessi this spring. Designed by Giulio Iacchetti it's the feminine partner to Hanni Rashid's Stila Paper Knife launched in 2006. Inspired by the hummingbird it's made in 18/10 matt stainless steel. Pure beauty! Great to see it in this month's Elle Decoration wish list too!

Just added: Star Sale Offers

Just added to our winter sale is the quirky Mediterraneo Bowl.  Designed by jewellery designer Emma Silvestris for Alessi, the Mediterraneo range was inspired by the wilds of the deep sea and the it's plant life.  Silvestris then translated this idea of natural sea life into a structured cut out metal form in an inspiring coral red!

Mediterraneo Bowl small now £27.65

Mediterraneo Bowl large now £35.70

Tea time treats in time for Christmas

You can probably guess that this chic Ottagonale Teapot by Carlo Alessi was designed in the 1930s. With a distinctive art deco silhouette, this stainless steel design has been reintroduced into the Alessi collection - a testament to its great utilitarian design and value for money at its very best.

Choose the coordinating Ottagonale Tray from the range for a distinctive afternoon tea service.

Ottagonale Teapot £79.00

Ottagonale Tray £80.00

See the full Alessi Ottagonale range at Utility here.

Retro Clocks from Alessi

Alessi have done the sensible thing and reintroduced the Optic Clock by Joe Colombo, the Cronotime Clock by Pia Manzu and Walter Wayle II Clock by Philippe Starck. Order now for delivery October.

Daytimer white-out

The 'Daytimer' watch range, designed by architect Will Alsop in conjunction with Frederico Grazzini, is his second project collaboration for design brand Alessi.

The chunky, 3 dimensional design of the Daytimer, now available in futuristic white, reflects Alsop's vision of the objects in the world around him.

The black face and blue LED display on a tilted screen, harks back to the original digital wrist watches of the 70s. Pretty cool in our opinion.

Alessi Daytimer Watch White £79.00

Blow Up Bamboo

The impressive new 'Blow Up' range by creative Fratelli Campana will ease your eco conscience as it is hand hand crafted using environmentally friendly bamboo.

Like the original 'Blow Up' range launched in 2004, the Bamboo series shows Fratelli Campana's affinity with using raw materials to produce contemporary design pieces. Based in the idea of using off cuts of steel and welding them together, this new range uses lengths of bamboo hand tied together, to create a container shape.

Blow Up bamboo Fruit Basket £55.00

Mini Me

If you long to own a slice of classic Alessi design, but can't decide on your favourite piece, look no further than the Alessi Miniatures range! The scale models of iconic Alessi products are perfect for collectors and design addicts alike.

It's a great time to invest in these replicas, as we are offering up to 35% off models from the range.


Alessi Miniature Michael Graves Kettle now £17.00

Enjoy your cuppa with up to 50% off Alessi

What a great way to start the new year, with up to 50% off selected Alessi products!

Bag yourself a design icon with the classic Michael Graves Bird Kettle, now £65.50. Or if coffee is more your thing, this beautiful Bombe Coffee Pot, designed in 1945 is part of Alessi's best selling tea and coffee set- it's sure to be a future classic!

Bombe Coffee Pot £82.50