Queensland State Archives posted a photo:
Mid Century Modern
1940s-1950s
Australia took a while to cotton on to the modernist design trend, with local modernist designers reaching international success in the 1970s. When we did catch up, we became truly obsessed.
The mid-century modern design movement began in the 1940s, a straightforward style that seemed appropriate in wartime.
Mid-century modern – often just called modernist – furniture was about being minimal. Furniture served a purpose, and function became the primary focus of all designs.
For this reason, lines were kept clean. Few design elements were featured (and if they were, they were kept subtle). Furniture – especially designer chairs – came to resemble sculptures.
Borrowing from the Art Deco movement, geometric shapes remained important influences. However, in contrast, asymmetry grew popular.
Modernist furniture embraced modern materials – chrome, formica and vinyl. But modernist designers also adopted industrial machinery to churn out mass-produced items.
Mid-century modern furniture still holds sway