Mid-Century Moderns: The Homes That Define Palm Springs

Mid-century modern (MCM) is "a style of design popular in the mid-twentieth century, characterized by clean, simple lines and lack of embellishment." The style was present throughout the world but gained most popularity in North America, Brazil and Europe from roughly 1945 to 1970. MCM style can be seen in interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture and urban development. MCM-style decor and architecture have seen a major resurgence that began in the late 1990s and continues today. The term was used as early as the mid-1950s, and was defined as a design movement by Cara Greenberg in her 1984 book Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. It is now recognized by scholars and museums worldwide as a significant design movement. The MCM design aesthetic is modern in style and construction, aligned with the modernist movement of the period. It is typically characterized by clean, simple lines and honest use of materials, and generally does not include decorative embellishments. On the exterior, an MCM home is normally very wide, partially brick or glass walls, low footprints with floor to ceiling windows and flat rooflines, while exposed ceilings and beams, open floor plans, ergonomically designed furniture and short staircases connecting rooms throughout the house often define the home's interior.