Shaker style furniture, perhaps. Or maybe use "farmhouse" as a descriptor if you prefer a more casual look than MCM.

Anonymous wrote:I hate clutter and am trying for a more minimalist look in our tiny house. The trouble is, whenever I search for minimalist decor online, I only find super modern looks. Our house is over 70 years old, and very modern furniture doesn't look right in it (nor is it my personal preference).

Have others dealt with this issue and, if so, would you please share some ideas?

You're using the wrong search term. "Minimalism" is a specific design esthetic. You're looking for uncluttered, which isn't a furniture style either. Try looking at design sites and pictures that speak to you and cross referencing the furniture.

This will give you a sense of furniture styles:
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0270/9603/files/FURNITURE_STYLE_GUIDE_REVISED.png?4905

This is an example of traditional furniture, you'd edit out artwork for a more minimalist feel:
http://www.designsponge.com/2014/10/sneak-peek-hayes-clement.html

Apartment therapy is good for small spaces:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/categories/new-traditional

Anonymous wrote:10:05 poster here: I just wanted to add that minimalism aside, we owned a 100+ yo row house but our furniture taste is mid-century modern. It looked great with white gallery walls, high ceilings, dark hardwood floors. So if there is a period/style of furniture you prefer, I wouldn't say you're barred from buying it just bc you live in 40s house.

I agree. I really like the contrast between period architectural details and MCM lines.

I think that Craftsman style furniture may be up your ally. It's older than your house, but a straight-forward, non-fussy yet quite warm style. The original Craftsman period was roughly 1890-1910, but manufactures are making it again. See what you think. Gustav Stickley is very, very high end (a place to start googling if you want to see what this stuff looks like), but you could probably get some recent pieces in the same style new or used. Happy hunting!

Pic #2. A hairdryer and a hard hat?

OP, google Darryl Carter, a prominent DC designer who does minimalist BEAUTIFULLY, and not in a chrome/red/black/rectangular sort of a way. He has a very unique style using lots of white paint, beautiful old pieces, carefully edited belongings, and lots of texture.

Those pictures are beautiful! I love modern furniture incorporated into older houses.

OP, consider Danish and Mid-Century modern pieces.

10:05 poster here: I just wanted to add that minimalism aside, we owned a 100+ yo row house but our furniture taste is mid-century modern. It looked great with white gallery walls, high ceilings, dark hardwood floors. So if there is a period/style of furniture you prefer, I wouldn't say you're barred from buying it just bc you live in 40s house.

DH and I live in a tiny 1920s Dutch colonial, and cannot buy any furniture at the regular furniture stores. We buy light Victorian or Louis XV pieces on Craigslist, estate sales or consignment. I too want a minimalist look, so I have very little knick-knacks and non-functional decor. I wage continua warfare on paperwork and clutter and don't want any random stuff coming into the house.

My problem is the sofa - a period settee is not going to be comfortable!

I think you can easily keep with a 40s house and minimalist decor. I think you're overthinking the "period look." Find furniture that you like of the era that is befitting your house and minimize the decorative items (vases, candles, etc).

I hate clutter and am trying for a more minimalist look in our tiny house. The trouble is, whenever I search for minimalist decor online, I only find super modern looks. Our house is over 70 years old, and very modern furniture doesn't look right in it (nor is it my personal preference).

Have others dealt with this issue and, if so, would you please share some ideas?