Traditional Mid-Century Paint Colors (for Cars)

When I found out that the 1956 Ford Thunderbird paint colors were the inspiration for the modern paint colors of one of my favorite modern lights, I started thinking, there's a whole set of people as obsessed with mid-century paint colors as mid-century housing fans: classic car fans.

It took me a little while, but I found where they're hiding all their mid-century color pallettes: The DuPont Historical Color Chip Library. You can search for nearly any year or model and it will give you back the mid-century color chips for that car. For example, the 1952 Cadillac color chips:

I think this could be a really helpful tool if you're looking for mid-century exterior colors. Not that houses and cars were painted exactly the same colors, but they'll give you a good idea of the general color palettes and color trends of the time.

And the right set of mid-century paint chips might give you a good set of similar colors to play with, like the blues on this 1955/1956 Chevrolet set:

Reproduction Art Deco Door Knobs

I've mentioned the art deco door knobs in our mid-century home.

Sure, it's mixing time periods a bit, but with all the clean lines of mid-century, it's nice to throw in a little elegance and flamboyance in the mix. All the interior doors in our mid-century ranch have these art deco door knobs. I know they're not original to the house (I'm pretty sure they were put in sometime in the '90s), but I still love the look. And you can get the look too with these reproduction art deco door knobs.

From Rejuvenation

From House of Antique Hardware

Suburban Mid-Century Paint Colors

Sherwin-Williams has the Suburban Modern line of paints as part of their Historic Collection. This mid-century modern color palette comes in both interior and exterior shades.

Sherwin-Williams explains the entire Suburban Modern line:

The optimism that followed WWII is reflected in the colors of the era. Bright, clear colors made a strong and upbeat statement that went hand in hand with the clean, simple lines of the mid-century modern homes springing up in suburbs throughout the nation. Offset the rich ambers, avocado greens and inky blues of the Suburban Modern Palette with neutral tones and aluminum or stainless steel accents for a sleek, contemporary style.

The interior Suburban Modern colors

With clear, cheerful colors, the 1950s exhibited a new American outlook. The exuberance showed up on the walls as striking shades like chartreuse and organic shapes like boomerangs.

The exterior Suburban Modern colors

The war was over and Americans were ready to settle down and enjoy the simplicity and prosperity victory had brought. Homes became smaller, more alike and more easily produced. And the brighter, sunnier colors they were painted reflected a newfound optimism.

The interior color palette is a little bright and pastel for my taste, but I can see a lot of them working as a highlight or accent colors.

Mid-Century Furniture Rentals

YEAH! rentals have a great business idea, and a cute ad.

YEAH! rentals is a boutique event rental company based in LA that specializes in mid-century modern, industrial, southwestern and native american pieces for events of all kinds.

Starting a business like that is good justification to buy everything that I want at an estate sale. Hmmmm.

Eichler Tear Downs

Mid-century homes and Eichler houses make a guest appearance in this NPR report on housing in California. I don't like the statement that homes built after the war need to be torn down, they don't. I live in one, and with some upkeep and a little luck it will still be standing long after I'm not. But if they are going to be replaced, I'm glad to hear it's with something that's in the same vein, stripped-down modern, and energy efficient. And I'm glad to hear the Eichler homes are still considered sacred by some.