Born of 1950s Modernist idealism, Mid-Century Modern was eventually a victim of its own success.

In the early 1960s, as the novelty of the style’s clean, rational lines and space-inspired imagery wore off, manufacturers tried to keep their customers interested – and gain a wider popular market share – by “modifying” the now-familiar fixture forms with new (and more emotional) colors, materials and nostalgic or ersatz themes. This shift begins in the early 1960s and continued through the end of the decade – a late and un-named transitional phase of the MCM trend we will call Mid-Century “Modified”…

In this selection from Progress in 1962 can be seen many of the divergent directions Mid-Century Modern would go in the next years as classics like the three Scandinavian pendants in the center are flanked by Asian porcelain experiments, more decorative glass treatments, funkified variations on old MCM themes, and the new ersatz style in ivory and gold that would soon sweep the market – Florentine. (Rejuvenation archives)

In this Mid-Century Modified post we’ll mostly look at pendants, which is where so much of the action was. In this “Pendant Panorama” from Moe Light in 1963, a happy homemaker dances with joy over another mix of Danish-style MCM classics and newer modifications like crackle and amber-tinted glass, filigree porcelain, plastic Honeycomb overlays, Venetian glass blown into a wire frame, and the nameless pseudo-Old World (or bordello?) style in the upper right that no one expected would become a mainstay of the hipster restaurant decor scene today. (Rejuvenation archives)

By 1967, J.C. Virden had replaced most all of their Swedish glass in favor of deeply colorful exercises in semi-transparent optic effects, which could be hung with their integral swag chains (from the popcorn ceiling) in any part of your tastefully decorated room. The influence of outer space is still present, judging by the alien that seems to have gotten that lower right fixture in its grip… (Rejuvenation archives)

Ahhh… who doesn’t love Stromboli? Italian influences were strong in late-1960s lighting like this spread from Sea Gull in 1967. (Rejuvenation archives)

Alas, poor Louis Comfort Tiffany… lighting manufacturers (like Sea Gull here in 1967) were not kind to him. Much of America’s population is still suffering today from P-PTSD, or Pizza-Parlor Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Rejuvenation archives)

This 1967 catalog of Emerson Imperialites offers a typical range of “evolved” modern Asian and Scandinavian pendants that captures the flavor of the Mid-Century Modified period. Don’t look too closely – the lighting is enhanced by charming lifestyle vignettes that may induce severe flashbacks. (Rejuvenation archives)

Ok, look closely. You know you wanted to. (Rejuvenation archives)

J.C. Virden was getting its groovy on ”for the Exciting TOTAL LOOK” in 1967 with this eye-catching selection of colorful, ahem, models. House & Garden magazine would release an official palette of colors each year that manufacturers would then produce their products in. (Rejuvenation archives)

Just to prove that the Mid-Century Modern style wasn’t entirely forgotten at the end of the decade, these pendants from Progress in 1969 include Scandinavian favorites alongside other classic designs that had received color and optic modifying makeovers. (Rejuvenation archives)

Mediterranean – much like Colonial Revival – is a style that never seems to fall out of favor… it just gets continually updated. By 1971, Moe Light had relegated the timeless Mid-Century Modern mainstay – the white spherical globe – to an almost invisible supporting role above. While Mid-Century was being modified out of existence, the colorful glass here hints at the new trend taking its place – Mod. (Rejuvenation archives)

Explore the Mod story by clicking here. 

For the full story of modern 1960s & 1970s lighting, click here.