ondesign: Find Your MCM Style

Palm Springs designer Michael Norpell reveals the stepping stones he walks with his clients to determine their personal mid-century décor.

You already know that your favorite design era is Mid Century Modern, but do you know how to incorporate it into your home to reflect your own sense of style?

Whether it’s your first time working with an interior designer or your 20th, there’s an art to the process of partnering with a design expert to find out which mid-century pieces, palettes and patterns suit you. Palm Springs designer Michael Norpell gently guides his clients through a series of specific questions to ensure they will feel right at home with their MCM décor. Here, he walks us through the steps he walks with them to guide you through the process of planning your own mid-century marvel:

The connection of interior and outdoor living areas is very important to me, so I enjoy working on MCM-era homes. Drawing from the original architectural elements of the home, I layer textures and materials to create a warm California MCM design style. But first, there are questions I ask all my clients to dig deep to determine their style preferences: “What original elements of the home do you love and want to preserve?” Sometimes just asking, “What do you not like about the space?” is a lot easier for people to express. By putting dislikes into the equation, we can eliminate some things and narrow in on others. 

Asking clients about space planning, which impacts scale and lifestyle use, is essential. Do you entertain at home? How often and how large are the gatherings? Formal or informal? Do you need a home office/ workspace? How do you want the space to feel?

Here’s a trick I use to help zero in on a client’s style: I look in their closet. Do they prefer tailored pieces or looser, more comfortable items? Do they gravitate toward certain colors or patterns? I also ask the client to think of words that define how they want a space to feel. I ask for five keywords and to share five to 10 images from magazines, books or the Internet that describe the project: elegant? playful?, colorful?, inviting? monochromatic?, streamlined?, modern?

PUTTING YOUR PREFERENCES INTO PLACE

There are four key elements to personalize your MCM style:

1) Incorporate Geometric Shapes and Patterns

Geometric shapes and patterns are one of the hallmarks of Mid Century Modern design. Adding geometric designs to your walls with tile or wallpaper in circular, triangular or diamond motifs evoke MCM style. Look for bold designs that contrast with the muted colors Mid-Century Modern style.

2) Stick to Simple Styles

Shop for furniture pieces with clean lines and simple silhouettes, ensuring not to overcomplicate with overly ornate designs and overly bulky furniture.

3) Add Vintage Finds as Statement Pieces

Be bold and make a statement when choosing these pieces. Sleek lines, curved shapes and interesting materials work best. Vintage furniture and décor pieces are a great way to add character to any room, but don’t go overboard with vintage finds. You don’t want it to look like your grandmother’s rec room.

4) Light the Way

Lighting is an important part of any design. Look for vintage lamps or pendant lights with warm tones and interesting shapes that will bring a sense of style to your home without being too flashy or distracting.

BUILD A CREATIVE CONNECTION

My favorite client inspiration email was the time I received photos of his favorite neck ties. I used the geometric patterns and colors of the ties to design the interior of his home by adding new wallpapers, a custom fabric dining banquet and a custom wood-panel room divider. Here are my best tips for working with a designer to achieve your MCM design goals:

Establish Trust.

You’re going to be spending a lot of time with your designer, so you need to trust them and build a relationship with them. They will often see a vision for your space that you’re not able to visualize that will be the perfect solution for your home.

Give Creative Direction.

Don’t put your designer in a box; offer your taste and preferences without restricting their creativity. You hired a designer for a reason, because he or she is a design expert.

Most importantly, have fun!

Leave your stress behind and trust your designer.

Written by Meryl Schoenbaum