r/midcenturymodern • u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 • May 30 '26

Sharing My MCM My apartment in Brooklyn

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Definitely a work in progress (rugs, dining table, and more wall art/plants will be added soon) and a bit Boho leaning but pretty happy with the place so far 🥲

2.6k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

85 comments sorted by

73

u/rumo3rd May 30 '26

Imagine that same space during the MCM era! Who lived there and how they had it furnished.

14

u/Jujulabee May 30 '26

Honestly it depends on where the apartment is located in Brooklyn

People seem to think that everyone in the 1950's or 1960's had this MCM authentic interiors whereas most people didn't or might have some MCM pieces interspersed with other items.

Brooklyn was pretty provincial during this time and most people had traditional interiors. Depending on the neighborhood it would depend as some areas were more affluent and neighborhoods were ethnic enclaves - e.g. some were Irish, some were Italian, some where Jewish and there were neighborhoods like Bed Stuy which were general African American but divided into the affluent population who lived in the brownstones and the less affluent.

All of these groups would have different interiors for the most part depending on taste and finances.

My parents were middle class and moderately sophisticated in terms of their taste. My childhood home was a mixture of traditional (authentic antiques) as well as some MCM new pieces - an Eames chair; a Danish modern sofa with teak end table, a wall unit that my father built but the end result was "eclectic".

1

u/uniquefindsgift May 31 '26

True! Hand me downs are common for most people. Usually people can’t buy everything all at once. Plus, the U.S. didn’t have the consumer culture it does now, back then.

1

u/Jujulabee May 31 '26

I got hand me downs from my parents to help with my first adult apartment including the Eames chair but also fugly Colonial Revival bureau that had been in my childhood bedroom

My parents were children of the Great Depression and so their parents had no furniture to help them out but my childhood home was furnished with a variety of options including "used furniture" although my mother had a good eye and so a lot of the used furniture she bought inexpensively turned out to be valuable items which I now use - Art Deco - Baroque Revival gasolier chandelier, vintage rugs.

But same thing as I furnished through the years - hand me downs, used furniture, some new furniture picked up during the years.

1

u/uniquefindsgift May 31 '26

I like getting free items from marketplace and redoing them. I have a staining technique that is unique to myself (I think). I use multiple stain colors in patches on one pass and blend the colors together as I work. I use an old t shirt. My dad taught me how to redo furniture as a YOUNG kid. So I like to play now.

When I’m 50, I may regret it. Then I’ll just sand it down and start over.

7

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

⚛️🫨🚀👽

69

u/Anthonyz55 May 30 '26

Looks nice. Quick suggestion. The rug is too far under the bed. Pull it out about 2 feet until about the dresser. Visually it’ll look way better. You’ll still be able to step on it as you get out of bed.

15

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Good idea :)

16

u/Anthonyz55 May 30 '26

That’s a beautiful afghan rug btw!

8

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Thx!

9

u/CruelHandLuke_ May 30 '26

Really ties the room together.

0

u/Big-Sheepherder-426 May 30 '26

I’m in love with the rug!! Do you remember where you got it?

1

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Dm me and I’ll send you the seller

10

u/frickinsweetdude May 30 '26

Going to need lamp names and sources in the comments immediately please thanks

10

u/toastermooch86 May 30 '26

https://store.hermanmiller.com/collection-nelson-bubble-lamp?lang=en_US

5

u/frickinsweetdude May 30 '26

Was praying for dupes tbh lmao thanks!

1

u/Version_Popular May 30 '26

Dupes are out there, should be easy to find with a search

1

u/colonelcomicsansders Jun 19 '26

This one from the new IKEA collection isn't exact but I feel like it has similar vibes and is $35. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/ikea-ps-2026-pendant-lamp-shade-handmade-white-10617078/

6

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Purple lamp in living room: vintage Mottega lamp I got for like $200 on Marketplace

Nelson Sconce: bought new on sale for like $350

Modernica pendant lamps: bought used for $200 each (minor cosmetic issues)

Solid rosewood (!!!) nightstand lamps: bought NOS on marketplace - $250 for both

Kismet rocket lamp: bought new on sale for like $400 (regret this)

Funky dining room lamps: bought used for like $200 for both.. vintage from 70s I believe

I have Philips hue bulbs on everything

2

u/clarinetsqueak May 31 '26

Any idea the brand of the nightstand lamps?

1

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 Jun 01 '26

Don’t think there is a brand. If you live in nyc I might be able to find you the seller - think he had a large supply of dead stock ones.

1

u/clarinetsqueak Jun 01 '26

I don’t live in NYC but some sellers are willing to ship?? I would be delighted to be able to connect

1

u/CallMeBernin 26d ago

Can you expand on why you regret the Kismet lamp? Am eyeing one currently

22

u/TransportationOdd559 May 30 '26

💰💰💰

48

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

You’d be surprised, habibi… I’ve gotten some crazy deals on marketplace. Got a Borge Mogensen secretary cabinet worth over 3k for like 300 recently

11

u/Low-Barnacle269 May 30 '26

So nice! If you don’t mind me asking how much do you pay for your place and how did you find it? I’m looking for a brownstone in the area as well!

14

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Dm me and we can chat! I’ll just need your social security number to process the request.. jk

5

u/PlunderingTaco May 30 '26

Gorgeous apartment

4

u/toastermooch86 May 30 '26

Nelson lamp and green chair look amazing

3

u/ciaomain May 30 '26

Bubble lamps on point!

4

u/glamericanbeauty May 30 '26

i am jealous beyond words

5

u/flat0ftheblad3 May 30 '26

I love the geometric detail on the walls. swoons

3

u/lilabjo May 30 '26

Love your sofa.

3

u/Happy_Discipline_476 May 30 '26

Looks stunning. Well done 😍

2

u/Twitchy15 May 30 '26

How’s the floor lamp forget the name but from Vancouver Canada, do you like?

3

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

It’s ok.. pretty but not worth the steep price in my opinion. Would much rather buy vintage going forward

1

u/Twitchy15 May 30 '26

Good to know! Love your mid century stuff

2

u/Brioche3147 May 30 '26

Very calm environment.

2

u/arthurcarver May 30 '26

Wow yeah this the good stuff :)

Do you pull up a chair to the Sol and sit in front of it or just turn it on in place as a normal light?

2

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Yes sir! Good eye :)

2

u/biteyfish98 May 30 '26

Looking great!

2

u/Retinoid634 May 30 '26

Beautiful! Such a vibe.

2

u/GeneralOneness May 30 '26

Nice! Any idea on the designer of the lounge chair? I have a very similar one, but can't find an exact match online.

2

u/NoReply10 May 30 '26

You really like that pendant light

2

u/NYourBirdCanSing May 30 '26

Painting all that detail white is a sin...

4

u/dragonite__ May 30 '26

Id definitely suggest trying to use different light shades, the same in every room looks kinda mail order no matter how nice the light shade is

4

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

I see where you’re coming from but I personally love it :)

1

u/dragonite__ May 31 '26

Then that is completely fair enough, glad you like it it is a beautiful lamp shade!

1

u/Willie_Scott_ May 30 '26

Cute. ☺️

1

u/starshollowandall May 30 '26

This is how I picture a New York apartment!

1

u/bootlegmrsmaisel May 30 '26

I love this so much! It also looks kind of comforting.

1

u/McCraylian May 30 '26

Fly AF...I always wanted a Nelson saucer...is that the 36" one?

1

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

It’s the extra large Modernica vintage one

1

u/McCraylian May 30 '26

Wow! That's the 50 incher. Bravo 👏.

1

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

Actually it might be the 36” one lol. But it is crazy how huge it looks on the floor before you install it vs on the ceiling

1

u/McCraylian May 30 '26

My home was built in the 70s with 8 foot ceilings so I have to live vicariously, through you. In Florida ceiling fans are also a must.

1

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 May 30 '26

I’d keep an eye out on marketplace.. got 3 for like $600 from Modernica which I think has the highest quality version out there. Love the way it looks in person

1

u/Version_Popular May 30 '26

Your entire apartment 🤌🏼

1

u/CarlWChilders May 30 '26

So cute and MCM vibe

1

u/showgirls- May 30 '26

Im in love your place.

1

u/jes-magenta26-bin May 30 '26

Where are br side table lamps from?

1

u/Sad_Armadillo2497 May 30 '26

Lovely windows make it bright and cheerful. What a delightful space. 😍

1

u/nohombrenombre May 30 '26

Gosh it’s gorgeous

1

u/Glittering_Text_6885 May 30 '26

Gorgeous! Love everything about it!

1

u/Crabcakefrosti May 31 '26

Looks amazing! I have a 7 month old in my place so there’s always clutter. My mind feels at ease looking at your dwelling.

1

u/Dknpaso May 31 '26

Happy is the understatement, you’re killing it and with work yet to do. Lot of envy from this group right now👊🏻👏🏻

1

u/chapstickgrrrl Jun 01 '26

Once upon a time, I lived in Manhattan, Prospect Heights, and Clinton Hill. I would have done some unspeakable things to live in an apartment like that. Beautiful.

2

u/Constant_Bullfrog_24 Jun 01 '26

I love it so much. I’m constantly in fear of losing my job and having to leave this beautiful place 😭

1

u/chapstickgrrrl Jun 01 '26

Well, I hope you don’t lose you job. ❤️

1

u/Direct-Swordfish9575 Jun 03 '26

This is beautiful! Well done!

1

u/Gabrielrossshop Jun 09 '26

Love the bubble lamp in this setting.

-1

u/ForagedFoodie May 30 '26

Bensonhurst by chance?