Like Herman Miller and other iconic Mid Century Modern Brands, Heywood Wakefield is best known for the furniture they produced in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Although the company started much earlier, their iconic blond maple and birch furniture is their most memorable and most important design contribution to furniture history.
In fact, these hip and joyful designs became so beloved in recent years that the new owners of the company, The South Beach Furniture Company, have decided to reproduce the classic Mid Century Furniture lines once again today. Astonishingly, this sleek, simple and whimsical furniture design has quite a cult following. The nostalgia and beauty of these wonderful creations lives on today!
So, let’s take a look at what made vintage Heywood Wakefield Furniture so wonderful!
Heywood Wakefield Furniture History
Heywood Wakefield actually consisted of two long standing competitors in the 1800’s. Both companies were producing wicker and rattan furniture. The Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company did not join forces until 1921. However, Heywood Wakefield rattan furniture did very well. Occasionally, you can still find this old Heywood Wakefield rattan furniture in thrift stores or consignment stores.
For the next few decades, Heywood Wakefield Company focused on building steel and wooden desks, auditorium seats and school furniture for most of the nation. They even invented a new luxurious seat design for rail travel.
In 1925, the Paris International Exposition of Decorative Arts invited makers from all over the western world to exhibit. However, American Furniture makers, especially most mainstream furniture companies, felt a bit insecure. After all, they had been busy reproducing furniture from the 18th Centuries…
Perhaps motivated by this challenge, and inspired by Parisian Moderne design in general, Heywood Wakefield took the risk in building something completely without historical reference. Of course, they also aimed to branch out into international markets.
During the 1930’s, Heywood Wakefield succeeding in producing something for “Modern tastes.”
Streamlined case-goods from their new collection in blonde maple finishes started hitting the market.
Heywood Wakefield Style
The new style was current, exciting, and definitely unique. Heywood Wakefield bedroom furniture curves where others have straight corners and jagged edges. Hardware is often concealed or integrated into the drawer faces. Finally, peg-legs replaced fancy turned or heavy ball and claw feet.
It was a new world for Heywood Wakefield and the start to a whole new design impetus! These Heywood Wakefield dressers and tables had a fresh look and very new design that really got attention.
For instance, a blond Heywood Wakefield vanity often had a low and asymmetrical design. Usually, it also had a large rounded attached mirror as well.
Of course, most of these designs did not take off until after WWII. With the boom of the suburbs and American Post War Optimism, the cheerful rounded Heywood Wakefield beds, nightstands and dining room furniture found a happy new audience.
Of course, while many people clung to traditional, Old World Designs from brands like Pennsylvania House and Drexel Heritage, more adventurous buyers flocked to Hey-wake’s New impressive designs.
There was something clean, simple and unpretentious about these new furniture designs. Untied to “tradition,” these new cute pieces worked in the modern home for casual, contemporary living.
Of course, the 1950s were a golden period of consumerism, greater wealth and a very new lifestyle for the middle class. It seems, Heywood Wakefields blonde bedroom sets and Heywood Wakefield dining tables fit the bill for fresh new homes in the suburbs. Along with candy-colored appliances, blenders and shiny new Chevy Bel Airs, Heywood Wakefield’s brand spoke of exciting new possibilities.
Heywood Wakefield Refinishing
Heywood Wakefield Refinishing can help restore vintage Heywood Wakefield Furniture to its original glory.
Most of the Heywood Wakefield vintage furniture on the market today consists primarily of solid maple and birch wood. Thus, people with a little bit of time and know-how can pretty easily strip and sand down a piece of Heywood Wakefield furniture for future use.
Of course, most of the furniture by Heywood Wakefield is finished in a Champagne or Wheat Colored Stain. In other words, these light stains are pretty simple to mimic on a vintage piece of Heywood Wakefield.
Sometimes, deep dark finishes take coats and coats of stain. However, once sanded, lighter finishes tend to be easier to achieve.
Heywood Wakefield Values
Heywood Wakefield values fluctuate like any market. With the resurgence of Mid Century Modern styles, especially as shows like “Madmen” hit the public imagination, Heywood Wakefield furniture has seen a sharp climb in price.
You may find Heywood Wakefield dressers and Heywood Wakefield Vanities in the $300-$1800 range, although this depends largely on condition. Additionally, vintage Heywood Wakefield maple dining room furniture can cost between $200-$1200 per piece. Obviously, we are talking about the signature Mid Century Styles, not more traditional collections.
So, for instance, a Mid Century Modern hutch can be priced anywhere from $800 to $1800. However, a traditional Early American Heywood Wakefield hutch, however, may only bring $200-$600 on the resale market.
Likewise, a Heywood Wakefield Wishbone Table might sell for between $900 and $2500 in today’s market, depending on condition.
Please feel free to come back to these pages often, as we constantly update the feeds with current sellers with pieces of Heywood Wakefield furniture for sale. If you have specific questions regarding vintage Heywake, please feel free to contact us. We make every effort to answer emails and comments.
Heywood Wakefield Furniture For Sale
Heywood Wakefield Furniture made beautiful blond Mid Century Modern style furniture for the bedroom, living room and dining room. The signature rounded corners of vintage Heywood Wakefield maple furniture brings a happy face to many new customers every day. You will love these unique furniture designs by Heywood Wakefield for your home! View some of the latest prices, values and sets made by Heywood Wakefield for sale.
If you enjoy this unique company, make sure you visit our video Page. Heywood Wakefield Furniture: Is it VALUABLE?