The Sourced Wonders Guide: Identifying Your Vintage Style (Is it Mid-Century, Scandinavian, or Bauhaus?)
Walking into a room filled with vintage furniture is a unique experience. It’s not like walking into a showroom of brand-new, matching sets. Instead, it feels layered, textured, and full of stories. Each piece has a history, a design philosophy behind it, and a character that fast furniture simply can’t replicate.
But if you’re new to the world of vintage, it can also feel a bit overwhelming. You know what you like when you see it, but putting a name to that style? That’s another matter entirely. Terms like ‘Mid-Century Modern’, ‘Bauhaus’, and ‘Scandinavian’ get thrown around, and while they’re sometimes related, they each have their own distinct story to tell.
That’s where we come in. Think of this guide as your friendly first step into a wonderfully designed world. Let’s untangle these styles together, so you can confidently identify what truly speaks to you.
The Clean Lines of Mid-Century Modern
Perhaps the most famous of the vintage styles, Mid-Century Modern (or MCM) refers to design from roughly the mid-1940s to the late 1960s. It was a radical shift away from the heavy, ornate furniture of previous generations, born from a post-war desire for a fresh start and a new optimism.
What to look for:
Organic Shapes: Designers celebrated natural, flowing forms. Think of the gentle curve of a chair’s back or the elegant sweep of a table’s legs.
Function is Key: Everything had a purpose. Furniture was designed for modern living – think storage units that double as room dividers or compact sideboards for entertaining.
A Mix of Materials: You’ll see a beautiful combination of woods like teak, rosewood, and walnut paired with man-made materials like plastic, fibreglass, and metal. It was about embracing the future without losing sight of nature.
Iconic Pieces: The Eames lounge chair, the tulip table, and anything with a distinct, atomic-age feel.
In a nutshell: If a piece looks like it would be right at home in a 1960s film, feeling both futuristic and warmly natural, it’s probably Mid-Century Modern.
The Warm Minimalism of Scandinavian Design
Scandinavian design, hailing from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, shares a timeline with MCM and often overlaps. However, it has its own unique heartbeat. While American MCM could be bold and dramatic, Scandinavian design was always guided by the principle of ‘hygge’ – a sense of cosy comfort and liveable simplicity.
What to look for:
Lighter Woods: While MCM favoured darker tones, Scandinavian design is famous for its use of pale beech, ash, and light teak, making spaces feel airy and bright – a necessity during long Nordic winters.
Ultra-Functionalism: The form is still clean and simple, but every element is ruthlessly practical. This is design for everyday life, stripped back to its purest, most useful form.
Textural Play: To avoid spaces feeling cold, texture is vital. You’ll find smooth wood paired with woven fabrics, sheepskin throws, rough-hewn pottery, and plenty of organic accessories.
Iconic Pieces: Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair, Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair, and any sofa that looks incredibly comfortable yet impeccably stylish.
In a nutshell: If a piece feels light, simple, incredibly well-made, and just makes you want to curl up with a good book, you’re likely looking at Scandinavian design.
The Radical Geometry of Bauhaus
The Bauhaus was a German art school operational from 1919 to 1933, but its influence is colossal. This isn’t just a style; it’s a philosophy. The Bauhaus believed in uniting art, craft, and technology, creating designs that were radically simple, functional, and accessible. It’s the foundation upon which much of modernism was built.
What to look for:
Form Follows Function: This is the golden rule. Decoration is stripped away entirely. The beauty of a Bauhaus-inspired piece is in its pure form and honest use of materials.
Geometric Shapes: Forget curves. Think strict geometry: tubular steel, cube-shaped chairs, spherical lamps, and graphic patterns.
Industrial Materials: Bauhaus designers loved using steel, glass, plywood, and plastic in their true forms, not disguised as something else.
Iconic Pieces: Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair, and Marianne Brandt’s geometric tea infusers and lamps.
In a nutshell: If a piece looks like a piece of elegant, minimalist industrial machinery for the home, it’s probably inspired by the Bauhaus ethos.
The Romantic Flair of French Art Deco (Franco Albini & Others)
While the 1920s French Art Deco of the Gatsby era was famously lavish with exotic woods and ivory, the style evolved. By the mid-century, Italian designers like Franco Albini were interpreting these ideas with a lighter, more modernist touch, leading to breathtaking pieces that feel both romantic and contemporary.
What to look for:
Elegant Materials: Look for refined combinations like polished wood with woven rattan, clear glass, and sleek metal frames. It’s about luxury through texture, not just ornamentation.
Sculptural Forms: Pieces are often dramatic and artistic. Albini’s ‘Margherita’ chair, for example, isn’t just a seat; it’s a sunburst sculpture made from woven cane.
A Sense of Glamour: This style retains a touch of sophistication and drama, but in a more subdued, architectural way than its roaring twenties predecessor.
Iconic Pieces: Franco Albini’s rattan chairs, Gio Ponti’s superleggera chair, and any piece that feels like a work of art.
In a nutshell: If a piece combines impeccable craftsmanship with a show-stopping, sculptural form that wouldn’t look out of place in a stylish Italian villa, it’s likely in this category.
So, Which One is For You?
Now that we’ve sketched out the profiles, which one resonates most?
You might be a Mid-Century Modern fan if… you love a bold statement. Your taste is optimistic, and you enjoy a mix of natural warmth and futuristic flair.
You might be a Scandinavian design fan if… your priority is creating a calm, comfortable, and clutter-free sanctuary. You believe in ‘less but better’.
You might be a Bauhaus enthusiast if… you are drawn to clean lines, logical design, and industrial aesthetics. You appreciate seeing how something is made.
You might love French & Italian mid-century if… you have a romantic streak and see furniture as functional art. You enjoy a touch of drama and timeless glamour.
The best part? You don’t have to choose just one. The magic of creating a home with soul often lies in the mix. A sleek Bauhaus-inspired desk can look fantastic next to a warm, Scandinavian teak bookcase. A bold Franco Albini rattan chair can be the perfect counterpoint to a more understated MCM sofa.
The key is understanding the language of each style. Once you do, you can start to curate a space that is uniquely, authentically yours. At Sourced Wonders, we believe every piece has a story waiting to become part of yours. We hope this guide helps you find the next chapter.
What do you think? Does one of these styles speak to you more than the others? Let us know in the comments, or share a picture of your own vintage mix on social media and tag us – we love to see it.