The Enduring Allure of Mid-Century Modern: The Mid Century Møbler Story

Picture by Mid Century Møbler

Mid-century modern design is experiencing a major revival, with its clean lines, vibrant colors, and emphasis on functionality striking a chord with modern sensibilities.

At the forefront of this revival in the San Francisco Bay Area is Mid Century Møbler, a top destination for the best selection of restored mid-century furnishings. Founder Julian Goldklang and his wife Desiree Myers have turned their passion for mid-century modern into a booming business, sourcing furniture from around the world to restore and offer for sale.

When you set foot in their showroom, you’re transported to a different time and place – one of optimism and innovation. You can see the attention to detail that goes into each piece and can’t help but be struck by the craftsmanship and functionality of the furniture.

A trip to Mid Century Møbler is like a visit to an art gallery – each piece has been lovingly restored to its former glory, taking on a life of its own. And it’s the story of its founder Julian - a hobbyist-turned-professional - that makes the experience even more incredible!

A Modern Store Built On A Lifelong Passion

Long before founding Mid Century Møbler, owner Julian developed a passion for mid-century design as a teenager in the 1990s. He started collecting and restoring mid-century cars, teaching himself mechanics along the way. As his knowledge grew, Julian moved on to finding and refurbishing mid-century furniture and away from repairing cars.

Sourcing locally from estate sales and flea markets on weekends, Julian was struck by the exceptional quality and craftsmanship inherent in vintage mid-century pieces. He started re-selling items out of his garage, slowly gaining a reputation among friends and mid-century fans.

In 2008-2009, Julian transformed his passion into a full-time venture, moving from his garage to his first modest warehouse in San Francisco to curate mid-century finds. He broadened his horizons, and also started importing unique mid-century modern items from European dealers. That’s when Mid Century Møbler was born…

Mid Century Møbler is Born

In 2011, Julian's passion project turned into a full-fledged business when he joined forces with his now-wife, Desiree. They opened their first showroom in the Mission district of SF, quickly gaining popularity for their wide selection of restored Scandinavian, Danish, and American mid-century pieces.

As their stock and clientele continued to grow, they expanded - moving to a larger, 10,000 sq foot Berkeley showroom, where they could accommodate both retail and in-house restoration studios.

Today, Mid Century Møbler's Berkeley showroom stocks over 500 pieces at any given time - an astonishing selection for vintage finds.

As Julian notes, customers are drawn to the quality craftsmanship and use of real wood that simply can't be replicated in modern manufacturing. By offering full restoration services after purchase, each piece also becomes unique to the new owner - a customizable heirloom.

What is Mid-Century Modern?

Before we dive into the story of Julian, Desiree, and the rise of Mid Century Møbler - let’s take a closer look at the style itself.

Mid-century modern refers to a design movement that peaked in popularity between the 1940s-1960s, though its influence stretched beyond those decades. The style emphasizes clean lines, simplicity, functionality, and natural shapes and textures.

Mid-century modern has roots in the Bauhaus school, which pioneered minimalist and industrial influenced design in the 1930s. Post-World War II prosperity and manufacturing advancements led to mass adoption of these principles in architecture and furnishings. Affordable materials like plastic and plywood enabled more streamlined and experimental forms.

In furniture, mid-century modern is characterized by:

• Wood pieces in teak, walnut, rosewood - often with tapered legs
• Low, horizontal silhouettes
• Organic, gently curved shapes
• Sculptural armchairs and sofas
• Mixed materials like wood, leather, and plastic
• Bright pops of color alongside neutrals
• Upholstered chairs & sofas with slim metal frames
• Novelty details like starburst cutouts

The Mid-Century Legacy

Mid-century modern never faded from view completely – but began experiencing a widespread resurgence around 2010.

The internet-fueled interest in once-obscure designers like Charles and Ray Eames through access to archives and collectors. Sleek mid-century looks also aligned well with minimalist interior trends. The craze was fueled further by Don Draper's office on Mad Men and other 1960s depictions in film and TV.

Today, mid-century pieces feel just as relevant as they were 50-70 years ago. The functionality and clean-lined aesthetic pair well with the pared-back elements of the modern farmhouse style. Mid-century works equally beautifully as a lively counterpoint to maximalist decor trends. Professional spaces also gravitate toward mid-century furnishings to cultivate creativity.

For vintage enthusiasts, architects, designers, and casual admirers alike, mid-century modern retains an endless appeal. Once futuristic, now retro - but forever timeless.

Julian’s Mid-Century Hunt

Julian sources most of Mid Century Møbler's inventory from Europe - an intricate process that starts long before the pieces arrive in Berkeley.

The hunt begins by tapping into his network of contacts across Denmark, England, Sweden, Germany, and beyond. These include antique dealers, thrift stores, auction houses, flea market sellers, and homeowners looking to sell sought-after vintage goods.

Once Julian and his team spot a promising piece abroad, it gets transported to a warehouse in Copenhagen. When the warehouse hits capacity at around 350 items, the preparations for shipping begin.

Each piece is meticulously wrapped and loaded onto a cargo container bound for the Port of Oakland, CA. The container crosses the Atlantic, goes through the Panama Canal, and completes its long journey to California.

Upon arrival, the unboxing process brings child-like excitement to Julian and his crew. It takes a full week to carefully unload the pieces from the container and inspect each item for condition and restoration needs.

Every piece is then moved and reassembled by hand throughout Mid Century Møbler before being staged in the showroom. For Julian, it never gets old seeing what treasures he's uncovered from across the globe.

A Unique Restoration Process

One of the things that sets Mid Century Møbler apart is their dedication to restoring every single piece they sell. The restorations happen in-house once a piece is purchased, allowing customers to customize the materials and finishes. As Julian explains:

"the client gets to dictate how they want these restored."

This unique process came about both as a solution to wastage and to give clients the most value. Julian found that pre-restoring pieces to predict buyer preferences often backfired. Valuable materials would end up in the trash if a client wanted to change the upholstery or finish. By starting fresh post-sale, clients get a completely personalized heirloom, while Mid Century Møbler minimizes unnecessary waste and expense.

The in-house team strives to preserve original materials and utilize vintage parts whenever possible. Julian notes they "almost never are cutting new pieces of wood or making new doors." Their specialized skills allow them to repair challenging conditions and revitalize each piece for years of enjoyment and use. It's a restoration process that further sets Mid Century Møbler apart as an invaluable resource.

The Mid Century Møbler Sustainability Initiative

As lovers of vintage, Julian and Desiree strive to operate Mid Century Møbler in a way that honors the heritage of each piece while minimizing the company's footprint. While restoring vintage furniture is often in-itself a sustainable practice, Mid Century Møbler has taken its commitment one step further.

• Re-using all shipping materials, blankets, and packaging whenever possible
• Salvaging original upholstery fabrics and parts for restoration needs instead of buying new
• Avoiding unnecessary new fabrication in restoration - repairing existing wood and hardware instead
• Grouping European shipments efficiently to reduce container trips across the Atlantic

By keeping sustainability at the forefront, Mid Century Møbler gives already-built furnishings extended life in a way that benefits both clients and the environment.

A Revival In The Making

The sheer quantity at Mid Century Møbler not only delights repeat mid-century patrons but also creates a museum-like introduction to mid-century design for the uninitiated.

Stepped displays allow the eye to flow over Scandinavian rosewood credenzas, American atomic starburst clocks, and Danish leather armchairs in a tactile timeline of styles and materials.

This expansive selection is thanks to Julian and Desiree’s meticulous sourcing from Europe. A few times a year, they embark on marathon vintage buying trips to Denmark, England, and beyond to hand-select containers full of merchandise.

They've cultivated relationships with dealers across the continent, giving them access to pieces from remote estate sales as well as Scandinavian flea markets. Julian and Desiree love the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of unpacking a new container back home in Berkeley.

What Makes Mid-Century Modern So… Fresh?

So what keeps mid-century modern so perpetually fresh and popular? As Julian puts it:

"It's the designs that really speak for themselves."

The emphasis on functionality and clean silhouettes gives mid-century a timeless, low-maintenance appeal. Iconic pieces feel just as relevant today in a loft, farmhouse, or Silicon Valley office space. Mid-century forms an anchor point - marrying vintage character with a simplicity that never clashes as styles evolve around it.

Not only does this make it an attractive choice for designers, but also endearingly accessible to the everyday consumer.

But Mid-Century Modern isn't just a one-note style; rather, there is a broad spectrum of styles and influences that fall under the term. From Scandinavian minimalism to German Bauhaus and everything in between - each region and era has its own unique twist on the style. No matter what aesthetic you prefer, there is always a piece to fit in the ever-so-popular.

Visit Mid Century Møbler Today

Stepping into Mid Century Mobler's Berkeley showroom is a visual feast for mid-century enthusiasts. The vast 10,000 square-foot space houses over 500 pieces at a time, and can often feel like a living museum.

Julian emphasizes creating a warm, welcoming environment versus a pretentious gallery feel. Furniture is stacked and displayed to maximize space, allowing customers to get up close to imagine pieces in their own homes. The sheer volume and diversity of offerings enable buyers to find just the right item that speaks to them rather than settling.

For a crash course in the greatest mid-century has to offer, visit Mid Century Møbler's Berkeley showroom at 1065 Ashby Avenue. Their showroom has to be seen to be believed - each piece is hand-picked for quality and authenticity and will undoubtedly add a panache to any home or office space.

Stay inspired by visiting their website or check out their items for sale here on Kashew to see their latest collections. You can also follow them on Instagram to get the latest news and updates. There's no better way to get acquainted with the magical world of mid-century modern!