Specialists in mid-century modern furniture from Australasian designers & manufacturers
Journal
Vintage John Duffecy dining table and chairs, curtain in Atrium colour Cedar by James Dunlop
Strata colour Linen by Mokum on Parker chairs
Entwine colour Granite by James Dunlop on Parker chairs
Q&A | Tangerine & Teal
There’s just something about mid-century modern (MCM) design that captures the imagination.
Emblematic, exciting, and nostalgic, interiors of the 50s, 60s, and 70s respond to social behaviours and cues that are no longer the norm, so there’s something contradictory yet enthralling about the way people inhabited their spaces. So much so that MCM continues to inspire and excite us, influencing contemporary architecture and interior design.
By deciding to ‘adopt’ a classic piece you are giving it another chance to invigorate an interior, and carefully considering its conservation and restoration opens a world of upholstery opportunities and, fortunately, there are many respectful retailers and upholsterers devoted to the maintenance and celebration of these stunning pieces.
One such conservator is Tangerine & Teal. With locations in Sydney and Auckland owners Sacha and Vanessa source local pieces by well-known and cult favourite Australasian brands including Otto Larsen, Don, Jon Jansen, Fler, Featherston, and Parker.
How did your career in furniture restoration begin and what inspired you to specialise in MCM?
How did your career in furniture restoration begin and what inspired you to specialise in MCM?
Growing up in Titirangi, Auckland, my sister Vanessa and I were surrounded by architectural modernist homes built into the native bush, so we always had a love of modernist design and different types of timbers. What started as a small side hobby of buying, refurbishing, and selling furniture pieces as way to make some income whilst raising small kids at home soon became a full-time business for us in 2013.
Why do you think MCM has such an enduring popularity?
Why do you think MCM has such an enduring popularity?
The mid-century modern design aesthetic has timeless appeal due to the classic characteristics of minimalistic clean lines, organic shapes, and bold colours. The furniture pieces can fit into other interior design styles and bring character and warmth to contemporary spaces, plus these iconic designs will never go out of style.
Strata colour Linen by Mokum on Parker chairs
Which fabric types complement the MCM aesthetic?
Which fabric types complement the MCM aesthetic?
One of the most popular MCM fabrics which has also made a huge resurgence over the past few years ago is bouclé. It was first used in the 40s by designer Eero Saarinen for his famous Womb Chair and remained popular throughout the 50s and 60s. It is an ideal choice for some MCM pieces, adding texture and warmth to an often-simple design.
The past year I’ve liked using the Mokum Strata and James Dunlop Entwine fabrics, both have a chunky texture but are also hard wearing. The other fabrics which feature heavily in MCM furniture are velvets and rich bold colours in woollen fabrics.
John Duffecy dining table and chairs
Which pieces or designers are you always looking out for?
Which pieces or designers are you always looking out for?
We don’t import furniture from overseas, instead focusing our search on interesting pieces by local New Zealand and Australian designers who are often underrated on the world stage but have great designs.
Classic furniture pieces transcend movements of the moment and continue to add quirk and personality to your interior, and quality craftsmanship and good design will last for as long as we look after and celebrate them.
It also pays to remember that pieces bought new now can be considered an investment – a collectible of the future to be treasured and enjoyed. As such, it’s important to buy pieces that evoke something in you – don’t think about fashion or trend, this is something you will be using and looking at every day for years to come, so compromise should not be an option! It should be a decision you are excited about making.
Buying from manufacturers, designers, makers, and brands who stand by their quality and craftsmanship will ensure longevity – a legacy piece that generations of the future will be able to love, refurbish, and be inspired by.
Our Mokum and James Dunlop Design Directors recently visited our European suppliers in Belgium and Italy, and attended Proposte, an annual textiles fair on the shores of Lake Como. In this article they share the slow evolution of textile trends led by the world’s most influential textile mills.
