How the No-Frills Philosophy Behind Midcentury Modern Homes Spawned a Big-Money Business That Is Continuing To Grow

In architecture and home decor alike, midcentury modern design has unrivaled staying power.Take a stroll through West Elm—or even Target—and you’re likely to stumble upon countless pieces that channel the characteristics of this impactful school of design. From low-profile seating constructed of sleek leather and stark metal to walnut sideboards boasting geometric patterns, the style has become fairly easy to spot, but difficult to define, as it continues its seemingly neverending climb in popularity.The midcentury modern style was developed in the middle of the 20th century—from 1945 to 1969—as flourishing technology and the post-World War II housing boom sparked a philosophy that placed value on no-frills functionality and a clean aesthetic rooted in a connection to the natural world.“Midcentury modern was about stripping away unnecessary ornament and really getting to the essence of a design gesture,” designer Jonathan Adler once told Architectural Digest.“That clarity of vision is innately communicative and people love design that speaks to them. By stripping away the frills, the designer can communicate directly with the viewer, and communication is ultimately what good design...