1 Answer Heywood Wakefield furniture is made of solid wood, which means the best approach to cleaning it is to use a damp cloth and a small amount of mild dish soap for clean-up. Do not get the wood overly wet or it can warp or wet spots may develop.
How do you remove chemical marks from wood furniture?
Wipe the furniture to remove the chemical residue. Sand the furniture with a fine-grit sanding block. Sanding will remove any discoloration in the wood. Sand the surface of the wood until it is soft, smooth and free of color. Wipe away sanding dust with a damp cloth. Dip a rag into tung oil.
What is Heywood Wakefield furniture?
Heywood Wakefield furniture features designs similar to those made famous in Scandinavia during the post war period and typically focuses on light colored or blond woods in stains called champagne, wheat, or blonde.
How do you identify a Heywood Wakefield cabinet?
The plywood or Masonite backs of cabinets were attached with small, slightly round-head brads (small nails) and were typically rounded off on the top left and right corners. Hopefully, you can use some of these clues to identify a vintage Heywood-Wakefield piece.
Are there plastic knobs on Heywood Wakefield drawers?
Heywood-Wakefield had no plastic knobs except on very early pieces, which might have “Amber” or “Bleached” stamped on. Of course, over the years, some people replaced original wooden Heywood-Wakefield drawer-pulls with plastic pulls, so check for other clues, such as the screws.
What is Heywood Wakefield furniture?
Who designed Heywood Wakefield?
When was Heywood furniture made?
When did Heywood Wakefield change its name?
What is the California style of furniture?
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About this website

What kind of wood is Heywood-Wakefield furniture?
Northern Yellow BirchAll of today's Heywood-Wakefield furniture is American-grown and American-made from 100 percent Northern Yellow Birch, the same wood used for the company's highly-sought vintage furniture.
What is the finish on Heywood-Wakefield furniture?
Heywood-Wakefield Identification The finishes are usually Wheat, a slightly darker golden hue; or Champagne, a lighter paler finish with a hint of rose blush.
What is Heywood-Wakefield furniture and why is it important?
The Heywood-Wakefield Company is an American furniture manufacturer established in 1897. It went on to become a major presence in the US. Its older products are considered collectibles and have been featured on Antiques Roadshow.
When did Heywood-Wakefield stop making furniture?
Heywood Wakefield's wooden furniture was produced in its factory in Gardner, MA from its beginnings until 1979.
What colors do Heywood-Wakefield come in?
While these were the most popular colors, Heywood-Wakefield has a history of using various colors:Amber (1936-1939)Bleached (1936-1939)Wheat (1937-1966)Champagne (1939-1966)Platinum (1954-1961)Westwood (1962-1966)Modern Walnut (1936-1944)
Is Heywood-Wakefield furniture still in business?
After the company closed its doors, the South Beach Furniture Co., which had been selling vintage Heywood-Wakefield pieces for years, acquired the rights to the Heywood-Wakefield name in 1984. Today, it manufactures several pieces from the original line.
Who is Herman Wakefield?
By day, the anonymous Portland man who calls himself Herman Wakefield repairs and consigns used furniture. By night, he posts memes on Instagram. Under the 'Gram handle @northwest_mcm_wholesale, Wakefield makes memes that use internet lingo and joke structure to talk about midcentury modern furniture.
Is Heywood A Wakefield veneer?
The Materials. The company never used veneer and used very little Formica, though there are some table styles with Formica tops. Heywood-Wakefield had no plastic knobs except on very early pieces, which might have “Amber” or “Bleached” stamped on.
Heywood Wakefield: Is it Valuable? (Video) - Vintage Furniture
Heywood Wakefield Furniture. Most people know Heywood Wakefield Furniture for their blond, Mid Century Modern style furniture. Of course, the hip and unique designs of Heywood Wakefield furniture have become collectible and super stylish since their debut in the 1940s and 1950s.
What is Heywood Wakefield furniture?
Unlike Duncan Phyfe furniture or Eastlake furniture styles which have their own collecting following in the antiques market, Heywood Wakefield furniture from the circa 1930s to the 1970s is popular and valuable with today’s collectors of modern and mid century modern furniture internationally. Dining tables, sofa tables, desks, storage cabinets, tea carts, chairs, dressers, and many other styles and forms of Heywood Wakefield furniture command very high prices on the vintage furniture and mid century modern market alike.
Who designed Heywood Wakefield?
By the 1920s, Heywood Wakefield’s lead designers, Paul Frankl and Donald Deskey, were introducing pieces based on the French and American Art Deco and Art Moderne movements which would come of age and grow in popularity during the 1920s to the 1960s.
When was Heywood furniture made?
The Heywood company was first established in 1826 by the Heywood brothers and the Wakefield company was founded in 1855. Both companies–rivals in their industry–produced wicker furniture and rattan furniture for residential and commercial clients. In 1897, the companies merged to become Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company.
When did Heywood Wakefield change its name?
In 1921, the name was changed to Heywood-Wakefield Company as we know it today. The firm went on to buy out the following firms: Washburn Heywood Chair Company, Oregon Chair Company, and Lloyd Manufacturing Company. Quickly Heywood Wakefield became the leader in modern furniture of the early 1900s. Heywood Wakefield’s wooden furniture was produced ...
What is the California style of furniture?
These quintessential Heywood Wakefield pieces became known as the California style of furniture in the 1940s to the 1960s. Heywood Wakefield was the choice for comfortable, good looking, modern furniture. This style of mid century modern chairs and furniture became popular with young families and particularly, with teens.
What is the number on a Heywood Wakefield dresser?
If you find, say, an eight-drawer dresser with a penciled number on the bottom of the drawer (or sometimes the back), with a dash followed by a single number from 1 to 8, that’s likely a Heywood-Wakefield.
Who owns Heywood Wakefield?
Leonard Riforgiato is a successful furniture manufacturing entrepreneur, a Miami resident, and co-owner of legacy furniture company Heywood-Wakefield.
What is streamline maple furniture?
This furniture was first known as Streamline Maple because that was the original wood used, along with birch, which is very similar. Most pieces were shown in either Amber or Bleached finish, so if a piece has either of these words stenciled on the back or underside, there’s a good chance it’s an early Heywood-Wakefield. In 1937, Streamline Maple became Streamline Modern; maple was still used for some furniture, but by 1940, Heywood-Wakefield switched exclusively to birch. If you can identify types of wood by its color and grain pattern, this is another clue.
When did Heywood Wakefield start using the eagle logo?
The Heywood-Wakefield Company didn’t start using its famous eagle logo until 1949, about 14 years after introducing its Streamline Modern designs in late 1935. Originally called Streamline Maple, these early pieces were labeled with one of several styles of paper tag.
Does Heywood Wakefield use Phillips screws?
If you find pieces with slotted screws, unless they’re very old and have some other tell-tale signs suggesting they’re Heywood-Wakefield, they’re probably not . Heywood-Wakefield’s Phillips screws have a distinctive look to them, so if you have another piece of Heywood-Wakefield furniture, look at one of its screws to familiarize yourself with the look.
Did Heywood Wakefield use Formica?
The Materials. The company never used veneer and used very little Formica, though there are some table styles with Formica tops. Heywood-Wakefield had no plastic knobs except on very early pieces, which might have “Amber” or “Bleached” stamped on.
What is Heywood Wakefield furniture made of?
A. Heywood-Wakefield furniture was originally constructed from solid maple and later switched to solid birch. There are no veneers. To quote Steve and Roger Rouland's Heywood-Wakefield Modern Furniture Identification and Value Guide, "In late 1935 Heywood-Wakefield introduced its first Streamline Modern furniture. Initially this furniture was called Streamline Maple, because the line was made from solid close-grained Northern Maple and Birch. .... In 1937, Streamline Maple became Streamline Modern; Maple had been dropped from the name, if not from the construction of the modern line (between 1937 and 1939 company literature said only that Streamline Modern was made of "solid wood," while by 1940 Heywood-Wakefield's Modern was billed as being of "solid American Birch"). "
What wood is used in Heywood-Wakefield upholstered furniture?
Only solid Birch wood is used in the exposed elements on Heywood-Wakefield upholstered furniture.". "Construction of Occasional Tables: The occasional tables are as painstakingly designed and as gracefully proportioned as America's top furniture designers can make them.
What is the name of the company that makes wicker furniture?
was in business independently (Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Rattan Co.) in the early 1800's. The two companies consolidated in 1897 to become the Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company. They made wicker, rattan, oak, and other furniture including baby carriages. Today these items are collectible from an antiques aspect, but not particularly because of the HW label. The collectibility appeal with the Heywood-Wakefield name lies in their streamline modern blond furniture which was made from the late 30's and hit its peak in the 50's. Much of this modern line was created by designers such as Gilbert Rohde, Russel Wright, Leo Jiranek, Alfons Bach, Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, Joseph Carr, Frank Parrish, and Ernest Herrmann. The early line of HW furniture was not done by designers, so it's value can be based on that of any other antique furniture.
What does "newly refinished" mean?
Newly Refinished: Items marked "Newly Refinished" means that they have been refinished to our specifications by our refinisher as described above. Items simply marked "Refinished" means that they have been refinished previously to being purchased by us and may be an older refinishing job. Thus the condition rating will be applicable as it may have wear again.
Why does my HW finish flake?
A common problem with the HW finishes is flaking. The varnish (shellac) that was used tends to flake off in areas leaving a lighter spot where the finish is missing. This probably occurred over the years from changes in humidity. When the furniture went out of style, many people relegated it to basements or garages where the fluctuations in temperature were more extreme. Therefore, the finish would flake. Many times a light coat of a spray lacquer to replace the missing finish is all that is needed to remedy the problem aesthetically, blending in the color again; however, it will not level off the finish.
Is condition of furniture important?
A. This is a very difficult question to answer. Condition of the furniture is the most important factor. Naturally furniture that is in perfect condition will be worth double or more that which needs refinished or repaired.
Can you stain furniture to make it look different?
Firstly, there is no stain made that will make all furniture look the same color. While wheat pieces will usually be close in patina when stripped, the application of stain will result in different shades when applied ... much the same as dye lots in yarns and fabrics will be different in color.
How to get chemical residue off of furniture?
Combine dishwashing soap with warm water in a small bucket. Dip a sponge into the mixture and wring out the excess water. Wipe the furniture to remove the chemical residue.
How to get shine out of wood?
Dip a rag into tung oil. Rub the oil into the wood, wiping up any excess as you go. Cover the entire surface. Let the oil soak into the wood until all of the shine is gone. Repeat two more times.
How to get paint off of a wood table?
Step 1. Put on gloves, a mask and goggles. Paint a thick coat of paint stripper onto the furniture with an old paintbrush. Let the chemicals soften the paint and topcoat for 15 to 20 minutes. Test the surface to see if it is properly softened by lightly scraping with a paint scraper. The paint should come off easily.
How to remove paint from furniture?
Scrape off any paint or varnish from the furniture. Hold the scraper away from your body and pull towards you to remove the finish. Remove as much finish as you can with the scraper.
How to make a wood top coat?
Pour a tablespoon of clear polyurethane onto a fine-grit scrub sponge. Rub the topcoat into the wood until it is coated with a thin, even layer. Allow the polyurethane to dry overnight. Add two more coats of polyurethane using the same method.
What is Heywood Wakefield furniture?
Unlike Duncan Phyfe furniture or Eastlake furniture styles which have their own collecting following in the antiques market, Heywood Wakefield furniture from the circa 1930s to the 1970s is popular and valuable with today’s collectors of modern and mid century modern furniture internationally. Dining tables, sofa tables, desks, storage cabinets, tea carts, chairs, dressers, and many other styles and forms of Heywood Wakefield furniture command very high prices on the vintage furniture and mid century modern market alike.
Who designed Heywood Wakefield?
By the 1920s, Heywood Wakefield’s lead designers, Paul Frankl and Donald Deskey, were introducing pieces based on the French and American Art Deco and Art Moderne movements which would come of age and grow in popularity during the 1920s to the 1960s.
When was Heywood furniture made?
The Heywood company was first established in 1826 by the Heywood brothers and the Wakefield company was founded in 1855. Both companies–rivals in their industry–produced wicker furniture and rattan furniture for residential and commercial clients. In 1897, the companies merged to become Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company.
When did Heywood Wakefield change its name?
In 1921, the name was changed to Heywood-Wakefield Company as we know it today. The firm went on to buy out the following firms: Washburn Heywood Chair Company, Oregon Chair Company, and Lloyd Manufacturing Company. Quickly Heywood Wakefield became the leader in modern furniture of the early 1900s. Heywood Wakefield’s wooden furniture was produced ...
What is the California style of furniture?
These quintessential Heywood Wakefield pieces became known as the California style of furniture in the 1940s to the 1960s. Heywood Wakefield was the choice for comfortable, good looking, modern furniture. This style of mid century modern chairs and furniture became popular with young families and particularly, with teens.
