A modern interior design scene showcases an MCM-inspired wooden sideboard adorned with potted plants. Decorative wooden blocks, a wire basket filled with wicker balls, and two matte vases are elegantly placed in front of a large mirror, giving the space a stylish glow up.
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MCM Furniture Glow Up

ByLisa

How is it week four of the One Room Challenge already?! As we approach the finish line, the weeks fly by even faster than before. If you missed my plans, the DIY Cable Railing, or How I Almost Got Murdered Over Paint, start with those first. This week I tackled a few main pieces for the room in a much needed MCM Furniture Glow Up. Despite one being a Facebook Marketplace find, I did not get murdered and will not be staring in my own episode of of Unsolved Mysteries this week. But we still have two weeks left, so you never know 😉 Ready to check out what I did this week?

A stylishly staged room features MCM furniture with a mid-century modern dresser and white drawers, accented by chic decor including plants and geometric cushions. Text reads "MCM Furniture Glow Up, One Room Challenge week 4," with a website link below.This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my policies.

First things first. If you aren’t down with design lingo, MCM is mid-century modern and I am constantly inspired by it! A few years ago I was lucky enough to attend modernism week in Palm Springs and I fell even harder for MCM! Immediately I began looking for ways to incorporate MCM elements into my designs. So when I found this TV stand on Facebook Marketplace, I instantly envisioned it as a MCM credenza.  

MCM Furniture Glow Up

A wooden cabinet with sliding doors and a geometric pattern showcases a mid-century modern (MCM) style, perfectly complementing the concrete floor in the workshop. Various tools and materials glow up in the background, highlighting this chic piece of furniture.

The wall we replaced with our new railing always seemed like an after thought because I filled it with leftover furniture. For this makeover, I wanted to select the furniture pieces more intentionally to fill the space. This is what it looked like before. 

A modern, cozy living space with a dark wood floor features a casual bench with a cushion. A black shelf holds books, decor, and a plant. A framed motorcycle photo hangs above, and a tall lamp stands beside the shelf. A clear wall divider adds light to this stylish makeover.

Not bad, but it felt a little piecemealed together. The former TV stand got a good sanding and a fresh coat of stain. 

A wooden storage unit with open shelves sits on a wooden floor, exemplifying mid-century modern elegance. It’s placed in front of a black metal and glass railing, with a covered table glowing up in the background. The design studio’s name graces the bottom left.

To amplify the MCM look, I painted the sliding doors the same color I used on the fireplace.  

A modern MCM interior features a wooden cabinet with sleek white drawers. On top, there's a gray planter with a green plant and two wooden house-shaped decor items, giving the space a furniture glow up. A metal railing and a window are visible in the background.

To top off the MCM furniture look, I added a shorter version of hairpin legs I used on my dining benches. Because what would a MCM credenza be without some hairpin legs? 

A DeWalt 20V cordless drill with a blue drill bit sits on a light-colored wooden surface, showcasing a subtle MCM aesthetic. It's positioned between two black metal brackets, giving the whole scene an understated glow up. A signature adorns the bottom left corner of the surface.

Now, this former TV stand is the perfect MCM furniture piece for below our new railing. 

A split-image captures a furniture glow-up. The "Before" section reveals an old wooden sideboard, while the "After" showcases a stunning MCM-inspired transformation featuring a dark finish, white geometric drawer fronts, and chic decor on top.

2nd MCM Furniture Glow Up 

I mentioned in the beginning of this post a few pieces got made over this week. That was not a lie. I also made over my vintage tool chest. This piece of furniture has appeared here before but was ready for a new look.  

A small, dark wooden dresser with a retro MCM design boasts two top drawers and four larger lower ones, each adorned with circular brass knobs. Standing on thin metal legs, this piece adds a stylish glow up to your garage, even with storage items visible in the background.

This side table is somewhat sentimental to me as it was handed down from my dad, but I felt like it needed a little something extra. At first I planned only to sand it and re-stain it to match the credenza, but quickly realized a two tone look would make the vintage brass hardware really stand out. 

An unfinished wooden dresser sits on a covered surface, ready for its MCM glow up, surrounded by a folded towel and two tins labeled "pre-stain" and "wood finish." The background features a modern interior with black and white elements.

I could not be happier with the finished result! The white really brightens this piece of furniture up!Before and after images showcase this dresser's incredible glow up. The "before" features a dark wood finish with brass handles, while the "after" reveals a modern MCM look, boasting white drawers, black handles, and added geometric decor on top.

Compared to the last few weeks, I feel like I didn’t accomplish nearly as much as I should have. With the winter storm that rolled through bringing us about 6 inches of snow and temps in the teens, its a miracle I gave any furniture a glow up truthfully. All I wanted to do was snuggle on the sofa with my pup. Speaking of which, the new credenza is going to double as a closet for all of Marvin’s winter outfits. He might be a spoiled pup 🙂

A small dog wearing a cozy black and white plaid sweater sits on the sleek MCM wooden floor, looking to the side with an alert expression, embodying a true glow up.

Not only does the new credenza fit perfectly in the family room, but it feels like a proper piece of furniture. I am definitely not complaining about the bonus storage is gives us either. 

A modern MCM sideboard with a wooden frame and white panels stands on a dark wood floor, adding a stylish glow up to the space. A potted plant sits on top, accompanied by a wooden geometric decor piece. Stairs with a black metal railing are visible in the background. A modern room features a white and wooden credenza, showcasing a touch of MCM style, topped with vases, a plant, and decorative items. Behind it, a railing overlooks the dining area with a table and chairs. The space radiates an effortless glow-up with its minimalist design and neutral colors.

Join me again next week to see if I manage to finish everything on my list and to make sure no one gets murdered! Next week I will be addressing the wet bar and hopefully our stairs. 

A modern sideboard with a wooden frame and white panel doors stands proudly, showcasing its MCM style. Atop, two matte gray vases and a decorative wicker basket filled with spherical ornaments complete the furniture's glow-up. A window with black frames is reflected in the mirror above.

If you enjoyed MCM Furniture Glow Up, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!A wooden dresser with white drawers and brass knobs stands against a light gray wall, showcasing its MCM style. On top is a potted plant and a decorative lamp featuring a unique gold wire cage around the bulb. A geometric-patterned pillow lies in the foreground, completing the furniture glow up.

Make sure you sign up here so you don’t miss any of our progress. We are so close to the end now! I will also be sharing behind the scenes throughout the week on Instagram and Facebook. 

Don’t forget to stop by the One Room Challenge to check out all the other participants and their progress so far! There are so may talented designers in this group, you will not be disappointed!
Garrison Street Design Studio - MCM Furniture Glow Up

A modern living space showcases a stunning MCM credenza with a white facade and wooden accents. Decorative vases adorn it, enhancing the furniture's glow up. In the background, an open-plan kitchen and living area bask in natural light. Text reads: "MCM Credenza Furniture Glow Up.

This post, MCM Furniture Glow Up, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

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