Mid-Century Modern Interiors: The Ideas that Shaped Interior Design in America

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Mid-Century Modern Interiors explores the history of interior design during arguably its most iconic and influential period. The 1930s to the 1960s in the United States was a key moment for interior design. It not only saw the emergence of some of interior designs most globally-important designers, it also saw the field of interior design emerge at last as a profession in its own right. Through a series of detailed case studies this book introduces the key practitioners of the period world-renowned designers including Ray and Charles Eames, Richard Neutra, and George Nelson and examines how they developed new approaches by applying systematic and rational principles to the creation of interior spaces. It takes us into the mind of the designer to show how they each used interior design to express their varied theoretical interests, and reveals how the principles they developed have become embodied in the way interior design is practiced today. This focus on unearthing the underlying ideas and concepts behind their designs rather than on the finished results creates a richer, more conceptual understanding of this pivotal period in modernist design history. With an extended introduction setting the case studies within the broader context of twentieth-century design and architectural history, this book provides both an introduction and an in-depth analysis for students and scholars of interior design, architecture and design history.

Reviews

A solid and fascinating portrait of the conceptual richness of mid-century modern design. For any contemporary designer who aspires to practice at a similarly high register, it is an inspirational and vivid guide. * Journal of Design History *
A timely and useful work that illuminates the interior designs of some important American designers through discussion and evaluation of the inspirations and theories they drew upon. * The Design Journal *
Recommended book. * CHOICE *
Mid-Century Modern Interiors takes the discipline of interior design history into a new era. From a search for Americanness, to a concern with health, to a desire to engage with a range of philosophical and intellectual ideas, Havenhand shows how the work of these reflective designers contained a depth that is often missing today. -- Penny Sparke, Professor of Design History * Kingston University *
In her useful and accessible new book, Lucinda Havenhand re-reads period design discourse to illuminate the heterogeneity of mid-century modernism and demonstrate how the leading names in mid-century modern design in the USA engaged with diverse theories of design in their lives and work. -- Grace Lees-Maffei, Professor of Design History * University of Hertfordshire *
Re-examining the careers and contributions of major mid-century modern designers and re-reading classic texts such as Russel and Mary Wrights Guide to Easier Living (1950) and Richard Neutras Survival Through Design (1954), Lucinda Havenhands Mid-Century Modern Interiors focuses upon shared interests in establishing a theoretical and humanistic basis for the interior design profession, grounded in an interplay among efficiency, health, luxury, and vision. This informative and readable study should prove useful for design students and instructors alike. -- David Raizman, Professor Emeritus * Drexel University *

Author Bio

Dr. Lucinda Kaukas Havenhand teaches design history, theory and studio at Syracuse University where she is a Professor in the School of Design.