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.

Knoll Brno Chair - Extra comfort at 30% less!!

First it was the Saarinen Conference Chair, now Knoll have turned their attention to the Tubular Brno Chair.  After extensive re-modelling of the interior structure of the seat and back pads, this beautiful chair, designed by Mies van der Rohe is now available with dramatically increased comfort and at a huge 30% price reduction.

Already celebrated for its lean profile, clean lines and exquisite details, this design icon of the 20th century can now add extreme comfort to its list of qualities.

The Knoll Brno Chair is now available with or without armrests, in a selection of Volo leathers, and with prices starting at just £1140, there really has never been a better time to invest in this design classic.

Knoll Barber Osgerby Sofa

The Barber Osgerby Sofa, designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for Knoll was launched in Milan last year but is now available to buy online in various forms and a vast range of fabrics. With "memory" foam back cushion we were amazed at the comfort this sofa affords when we sat on it at the Knoll showroom.  In addition, unlike many modern sofas this one has a high back support for those partial to it and it comes as a 2 Seater, 3 Seater, 4 Seater, Asymmetric option (pictured) and Armchair. Additional scatter cushions in two sizes - small and large - allow you to create the sofa of your dreams and the comfort you require. In exclusive Knoll fabrics and leathers it's also available in every colour you could with for of Kvadrat fabric in all their key ranges. Finally, to really personalise your sofa the cast aluminium legs are either polished chrome, satin black - or for the really daring, bright red. How brave are you?

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.

Knoll Marc Krusin Collection

The Marc Krusin collection from Knoll includes a range of seating solutions and side tables which celebrate clean linear lines of reserved beauty. Named after its designer, Marc Krusin, his sensitivity to graceful and modest form is visible through the Krusin Dining Chair and Krusin Lounge Chair. The low sheen woods, high gloss polished black lacquer and natural woven paper rush seat complements its refined silhouette which can also be chosen with an upholstered seat in a range of Kvadrat fabrics and Spinneybeck leathers. With or without arms, each display an inherent calmness whilst still retaining a contemporary appearance attained through subtle angular contours and bends. This is further visible with the Krusin Side Tables, of three functional sizes, and Krusin Coffee Table with the continuous lines of the base intersecting to create a defined foundation. The careful selection of marble tabletops and solid wood frames reinforces its expert construction. By maintaining a graceful visual silence throughout the collection, each sit comfortably with many different design styles.

A confirmed design classic

If you doubted before, here it is confirmed; the Knoll Nakashima Splay Leg Table is a design classic, it's official. Named as a 'design gem', in the Best Re-issue of the Year catagory in the Wallpaper Design Awards, this wining design by George Nakashima demonstrates his respect for the natural form of trees - a quality his work is prized for. This really is a timeless design.

Knoll Nakashima Splay Leg Coffee Table £1231.65