Instagram can be a brilliant source of inspiration for design enthusiasts, from discovering gorgeous interiors to little seen designs by lesser known designers. And there’s plenty on the mid-century theme to be explored and enjoyed too.
Here is a selection of our favourite mid-century Instagram accounts (aside from our own @midcenturymag account of course!) – do let us know of anyone else you think we should be following.
Mid-Century Instagram: Architecture and Interiors
If the concrete walls and Eames rarities look vaguely familiar, it’s because we featured the home of the man behind Atelier Graphique Turtle, Jeroen Lathouwers, in MidCentury 09. Keep up with Jeroen’s love of Eames and collectables through his beautifully photographed Instagram feed.
Mark Griffiths, the British designer behind Yumalum, shares images of the renovation of his house, alongside examples of his work. If these images are anything to go on, the final result will be spectacular!
Another restoration project – this time a 1950 house in the middle of the woods in New York State. Carla Maher’s feed shares the stunning results of their painstaking work – and, currently, some breathtaking winter scenes.
Moving to the west coast, Karen and John share the progress of their renovation of their 1959 Joseph Eichler home, space by space. Find out more about their project on their website.
Back on this side of the Atlantic, designer Virginia of Roddy and Ginger, posts images of her London home, which is often used as a location house. We’re particularly envious of her mid-century ceramics collection.
The Modernist Estates blog (and book) probably needs no introduction to readers of MidCentury – its author, Stefi Orazi, is one of our contributors. The Instagram accounts offers more of the same, featuring estates such as this one, Ingestre Road Estate in London’s Kentish Town.
Another way to tap into the expertise of the The Modern House. As well as properties for sale (such as this Span House in New Ash Green), their Instagram account also shares dream homes from around the world.
For even more mid-century architecture and interiors inspiration, we recommend taking a look at @_modernrestoration_, @modarchitecture and the spectacular @Theimportanceofbeingmodernist.
Mid-Century Instagram: Prints and Pattern
Love midcentury prints and illustration? You’ll need to check out the regular injection of Instagram delight provided by Joe Pearson, a collector and publisher. This image is taken from the fantastic 1961 book, Edward and the Horse by Olle Eksell & Ann Rand.
See glimpses from the archive of Sheila Bownas – as featured in MidCentury 05 – a pattern designer who created work for big high street brands in the 1950s and ’60s, selected by the archive’s guardian, Chelsea Cefai.
Mid-Century Instagram: Furniture and Objects
Featuring scenes from inside the very stylish studio space of Beton Brut in Hackney Wick, London. We included their Buyer’s Guide to Dutch Lighting in MidCentury 09, and there’s plenty of that to pore over. We’re also very fond of the Robin Day chairs pictured here.
A look at the latest finds from Elemental. From industrial clocks to haberdashery cabinets, it’s always a pleasure to see what they’ll post next, like this Stilnovo chandelier for instance.
Specialising in mid-century Scandinavian design, this is a great way of keeping up with MCM Interiors’ latest stock, such as this model FD-146 chair by Peter Hvidt.
One to follow for officially licensed editions and reissues by some of design’s biggest names. Two of Vitra’s wooden dolls, originally designed for Alexander Girard’s house, look pretty here against a contemporary backdrop by Hay.
With a catalogue of designs such as belongs to Herman Miller, it’s surely no surprise their Instagram account is a visual treat. Look out for archive photographs and advertising alongside contemporary pieces and links to interviews.
This image, taken by Alex Grace Photography, shows off the distinctive curves of the Isokon Penguin Donkey, designed by Egon Riss in 1939. Follow their account for archive material about Isokon and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the making of Isokonplus furniture in East London today.
Esoteric Survey is a Californian dealer, “with an emphasis on California and the obscure”. It’s the latter that makes this account such a joy to follow, such as these beautiful ceramics by LaGardo Tackett.
Useful links
Follow MidCentury magazine on Instagram
See more images of Atelier Graphique Turtle’s home in MidCentury 09
Find out more about the people behind The Modern House and Sheila Bownas accounts
Read our review of the Modernist Estates book