Think of Martha Stewart, and images of the classic farmhouse aesthetic are likely to come to mind. I've spent recent years writing about the lifestyle guru, and similarly, I've always associated her with a traditional (albeit beautiful) décor style, much of which is inspired by her iconic Bedford farmhouse.
You can imagine my surprise, then, when I stumbled across her most surprising furnishing to date: The Manhattan Accent Chair [available at Wayfair]. I was browsing the site for a mid-century modern style piece that would fit into the vibe of my apartment, and when I came across this piece, I almost overlooked the fact that it was Martha-designed.
While I'm no stranger to seeing her traditional farmhouse accent chairs (which, as I side note, also love), the Manhattan chair feels unrecognizable from her usual style. The next shock was the price. It's currently over 50% off, coming out at under $330. It's hard to believe you can get a piece this chic for such a small price tag.
The mid-century modern aesthetic is the first thing that attracted me to this chair, but after taking a look at the specifications, there's even more to note. It's upholstered in a light blue fabric and features slender metal arms and legs, for a chic finish. The matte black powder coat on the metal arms and legs creates a bold contrast to the upholstery, making it the ultimate talking point.
This accent chair will make a statement in every living room, but inevitably, it best lends itself to a mid-century modern space. I spoke with Stuart Murray, the founder of Retrovintage, and an expert mid-century furniture restorer, who shared his insight into integrating a retro accent chair into contemporary interiors.
'Start by considering layers and textures,' he says. 'Adding a soft, chunky knit throw over the back can instantly make it feel more inviting and warm, perfect for creating cosiness during those winter months. Top it off with a striking cushion; you can’t go wrong with a vibrant abstract pattern from Designers Guild to bring both personality and a splash of colour into the mix.'
He continues: 'I was working on a project where the living room had a mid-century vibe, and introducing a 1950s Danish piece really grounded the space. I learned that mixing in genuine vintage accessories, like a brass side table or a funky retro lamp, can enhance the authenticity of a neutral piece. Wood accents also bring warmth to the neutral tones; play around with different grains and finishes.'
To make the process even easier, I've selected more of our modern mid-century must-haves below. Style them alongside Martha's chair, or introduce them as a stand-alone piece in your living room. With this look, it's hard to go wrong.
This TV stand seamlessly combines storage capabilities with breezy mid-century charm. It's crafted from a mix of solid and engineered woods, and it rests on flared, tapered dowel legs, meaning it's as sturdy as it is good looking.
Floor lamps look great in all spaces and this cap light is no different. Sleekly finished, this piece is timelessly stylish and will make the perfect vintage-inspired addition to any empty corner.
What first seems to be a plain white pillow gains depth and dimension from contrast piping. The black edges create a shadow effect that almost makes the pillow appear two-dimensional, like a drawing brought to life. It'd look perfect for Martha's chair, or any other, for that matter.
One last tip? Less is more. 'With modern interiors, especially, it’s about finding a balance between simplicity and making a statement,' Stuart says. 'I love it when a single, well-positioned chair can tell a story through time. My passion lies in finding these rare pieces and helping them fit beautifully into contemporary settings while preserving that rich history.'
