1 day Ago By By The Newsroom
Sleek functional design, Scandinavian chic, soft curves, beautiful woods, minimalist materials and bold colours or geometric designs are all classic elements of mid-century modern furniture design. But you can also think smoky glass and curved chrome for classy dining, cocktail cabinets for entertaining, and ergonomically shaped chairs for ultimate comfort when relaxing. This type of furniture has had a huge resurgence in the past 10 years, its enduring style and quality added to a renewed interest in all things retro or vintage has made it highly desirable.
Stuart Murray, owner and founder of Retrovintage, found this out for himself, when a piece of mid-century furniture just caught his eye and sparked his imagination. “I had never had an interest in older furniture before,” he said. “I never went to antiques shop, but there was something about this style that I really liked.
” Years of a ‘proper job’, working as a manager and auctioneer at car auctions, Stuart was disillusioned with commuting and had some redundancy money to invest, so he set about making his new interest into a business. Retrovintage is born That was eight years ago, and it’s gone from strength to strength. Starting out with one or two pieces of furniture and scouring second-hand sites for the right pieces, he now has buys most of the furniture from people who come to him, but can also try to source individual items if a buyer is looking for something specific.
Minor restorations and clean-ups he does himself, but other more involved work is contracted out, and by the time it is put up for sale it will have been lovingly returned to its former glory and ready to do another 60 years! His 2,000-square-foot showroom in Stewarton houses this collection of carefully curated furniture including dining sets, coffee and occasional tables, shelving and storage, chairs, sideboards, seating and a few accessories or lights. The one-man business involves Stuart sourcing, buying and arranging restoration of the furniture, photographing, describing and marketing each piece via his website and social media, handling enquiries and viewings, and arranging sales, shipping and delivery. He says he loves it all, especially when a happy buyer finds just the thing they want.
“I love it,” he laughs, and recalls a time of watching the TV show Salvage Hunters, when he said to his wife “That would be the best job in the world.” Now living the dream, his interest has also spread to his dad Rod and student son Dean, who are both willing helpers in the business, especially with restoration. Every day is different for Stuart, and he’s learned more and more about the famous names, styles and qualities and what will prove popular.
“The build quality is so fantastic, they are so beautifully made,” says Stuart. “Dining tables, especially extendable ones, are hugely popular.” His personal favourite for sale right now is a Hans Olsen ‘Roundette’ dining table and four three-legged chairs.
Designed for living This type of design came after the Second World War – from 1945 to 1969 – as Europe was rebuilding lives and homes and both designers and architects were looking to restyle modern living with clean lines and organic forms. Famous names like Charles and Ray Eames or Hans Wegner led the revolution, which celebrated craftsmanship and minimal aesthetics. Manufacturers such as G Plan, Ercol, Knoll, Archie Shine, Stag and Hille all made it more affordable and accessible.
And it’s still very affordable today, with prices easily comparable with modern furniture, but often with superior materials and build quality and of course exceptional design. Minimalism and clever use of space – nests of tables, extending tables, chairs that fit like a puzzle into and underneath tables – are all space-savers which make the furniture not only look fabulous but also mean they can fit into smaller spaces. It’s no wonder they are so highly desired for both apartment living and modern homes as well as more traditional houses.
He was speaking in 1880, at the height of the Arts and Crafts Movement, but could well have been speaking about mid-century furniture – where both aesthetics and functionality are brought together. Stuart would agree with the sentiment and his passion for his job is refreshing and infectious. “This is much better than a real job!” he beams.
“I literally count my blessings every week” Browse the collection What’s available on the website is constantly changing so Stuart offers the option to sign up to receive weekly updates on new pieces in a newsletter. The website itself is simple to navigate and there’s information on how to enquire, whether buying or selling, and how to arrange a viewing. Many items are bought online, with shipping arranged by Stuart through his tried and trusted couriers but you can also view items in the showroom by appointment.
So, start your discovery of mid-century furniture by shopping the collection here now..
