In Fahrenheit 451, Beatty suggests that all people want is to "furnish the rooms with glass walls and pretty colors running up and down the walls like confetti or blood or sherry or sauterne." What does this say about the people? Name modern examples?

1. Orange and brown. Vibrant and earthy at the same time, orange and brown is a classic mid century modern color combination. In the room above, the bold orange wall helps highlight the dramatic wood ceiling and glass windows, features that are both typical of this era. Brown — even in the form of wood — tones down the vibrancy of orange. Also, the pairing underscores the warm nature of each color, making this mid century space (an addition to an original mid century home, according to architect Risa Boyer) stylish and inviting.

2. Chartreuse and gray. This is a cool, fresh duo that will instantly add mid century chic to your decor. In this photo, the bright yellowish-green sofa forms a cheerful counterpart to the serene gray wall. When brought together in a room with architectural details such as an angled ceiling and glass window walls, the style is unmistakably mid century modern.

3. Teal, brown and white. This sophisticated palette can impart a rich mid century look in a room with the right furniture shapes. Here, teal throw pillows create a striking contrast on an ivory sofa. An accent chair with a more vibrant teal color adds another dose of blue, giving the room even more visual interest. Don’t be afraid to layer your accents by using different shades of the same color. Wood paneling rounds out the tri-color palette and amps up the room’s quintessential mid century style.