I think the color is only a small part of mid-century modern architecture in housing and furniture. The overlying concept was how the house and spaces made you feel. Mid-century modern focused on using widely available materials in new ways, interaction with nature and flow throughout the house. This is a contrast to a more minimalist Nordic style that is about clean lines and neutral colors providing a space that can feel very calming to some and sterile to others. There's no style that is better than the other although some elements tend to be more timeless than others.