The Millennial Furniture Movement

Millennials' Vintage Love Affair, Fashion Meets Function and AI Designed Furniture.

June 15, 2023

Hi y’all 👋

Happy Thursday and welcome back to The Midmod Corner: delivering fresh takes on interior design and architecture without the fluff. Think of us as your straight-talking, design-loving friend who's always got your back 🛋️

In today’s edition:

  • Design Story: Vintage is the New Vogue ⏱

  • Snippets: An AI Designed Flat Couch 🛋

  • Cool Corner: Antiquing from the comfort of your home 🌐

📰 The Story

As a 31-year-old who has a penchant for the charm of yesteryears, I can affirmatively say that if we millennials had a time machine, we'd probably set the dial to the mid-20th century, grab a pair of Eames chairs, a Danish teak sideboard, and scoot right back. But why is it that our generation has such a pronounced affinity for mid-century modern and vintage furniture? Is it mere nostalgia, or does it go deeper?

Grab your coffee, settle into your favorite retro chair, and let's unfold the mystery behind this romance. No spoilers, but it’s more than just a trendy Instagram backdrop. 😉

🌍 Slaying the Fast Furniture Monster

According to a recent study, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture each year — 670,000 tonnes in the UK — the majority of which goes directly to landfill. Millennials are breaking up with the throw-away culture and buying vintage is their way of taking the lead on sustainability.

In fact, 52% of millennials are choosing vintage furniture over fast furniture for its eco-friendly appeal. Plus, let's be honest, nothing shouts 'adulting done right' like an elegantly appointed home with a sleek Eames lounge chair or a George Nelson sunburst clock.

🤌🏼 Quality Over Quantity

You know what's cooler than a vintage chair? A vintage chair that's going to outlast the latest iPhone. Mid-century furniture is renowned for its craftsmanship and durability. The timeless aesthetic of last century’s furniture is a bonus on top of knowing that you're investing in something that's built to last.

There's a reason why these pieces have stood the test of time. They weren’t just built, they were crafted.

📖 Tales Beyond Time

Another reason why millennials are choosing vintage and antique pieces over new furniture: Uniqueness and history. There's something incredibly intriguing about the history each piece carries, especially iconic mid-century modern furniture. It's as if every Charlotte Perriand coffee table or Jacobsen Egg chair has a tale to tell. Were they once a part of swinging cocktail parties or quiet reading corners?

The mystery adds an element of charm that new, off-the-shelf furniture simply can't replicate. Plus, the hunt for these pieces - the estate sales, the flea markets, the joyful haggling - is an adventure in itself.

🌱 The Mid-Century Modern Renaissance

Finally, let's address the elephant in the room (probably sitting comfortably in a Wassily Chair). MCM design is having a moment. It's gracing our Instagram feeds, Pinterest boards, and the cover of design magazines. It’s not just a design movement; it’s a cultural phenomenon, and millennials, we’re leading the charge!

So, there you have it, folks. It’s more than a trend. It’s a lifestyle, a statement, a choice. And honestly, if we had to choose between a sustainably sourced, beautifully crafted vintage piece and a flimsy, off-the-rack one? You know where our hearts lie.

To many more vintage ventures,

🗃 Snippets

Fashion Meets Function: In a stunning design twist, streetwear brand Noah ventures into the home design realm, teaming up with Danish furniture heroes, Gubi for a refreshingly colorful chair collection.

The Chair With The Cat: In 1950, artist Saul Steinberg, a close friend of the Californian couple Charles and Ray Eames, doodled a cat onto an Eames fiberglass chair. Now you can own a replica.

Couch In An Envelope: Space10, Ikea's innovative design laboratory, introduces 'Couch in an Envelope', a lightweight, modular, and environmentally-friendly furniture concept. With an AI-assisted design, it caters to the modern needs of space efficiency and sustainability.

Budget Oasis: As the sun parades across a cerulean sky, signaling the grand arrival of summer, you may find yourself longing for the tranquility of a private outdoor oasis. And who would be our knight in shining armor, but the one and only IKEA?

😎 Cool Corner

As we've delved into why we are smitten with vintage furniture, we thought it's only fitting to guide you on where to find these gems. This week’s Cool Corner is taking a slightly different turn. This time trading products for platforms that house countless pieces of history waiting to be discovered.

Here are five of our favorite online treasure troves for you to hunt down your own vintage gems:

A haven for lovers of high-end antiquities. With over 727,000+ furniture listings alone, you can easily shop by era, style, material, or origin, simplifying the hunt for your ideal piece.

Ever found a design treasure but struggled with delivery costs? Kaiyo, a secondhand furniture marketplace, solves this. Ideal for new homeowners, Kaiyo offers diversity, ease, and affordability in furnishing homes.

Renowned for its vintage offerings, Chairish provides an expertly curated collection of home furnishings and art, catering to consumers, designers, and dealers.

The go-to spot for European antiques. If personalized vintage pieces are your preference, Pamono is the right choice. They offer a "Custom Vintage" section where you can select vintage seating pieces and reupholster them with your preferred fabrics.

🌐 Around the Web

  • 🎵 That’s interesting: This man spent 30 years covering his house with mosaic tiles and funky artwork

  • 🖼 Weekend plan: With sunny days finally setting in, here's your guide to the top Flea markets and antique shows in the world

  • 🏘 On the market: Plywood dream house tucked into the hills of Echo Park

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