Mid-Century Modern Furniture In the 1930s, Heywood-Wakefield truly came into its own. The company’s prominent designers took inspiration from the Art Deco movement and helped shape the look of mid-century modern furniture, as well as the broader taste of the times.

What is Heywood-Wakefield furniture and why is it important?

Mid-Century Modern Furniture In the 1930s, Heywood-Wakefield truly came into its own. The company’s prominent designers took inspiration from the Art Deco movement and helped shape the look of mid-century modern furniture, as well as the broader taste of the times.

When did Heywood-Wakefield stop making furniture?

Heywood-Wakefield made wood furniture in the Streamline Modern style (smooth, light, and with simplified and rounded angles) until 1966 when their high standards of quality proved to be too costly and styles had changed quite a bit. The Heywood-Wakefield Company filed for bankruptcy in 1981.

What type of wood is Heywood-Wakefield?

About Northern Yellow Birch, Heywood-Wakefield’s Lumber of Choice. We thought we’d talk a little about Northern Yellow Birch, the type of wood that all Heywood-Wakefield furniture is built from.

Where is Heywood-Wakefield from?

Heywood Wakefield’s wooden furniture was produced in its factory in Gardner, MA from its beginnings until 1979. The firm opened another plant in Michigan where other pieces were manufactured.

How do you clean Heywood-Wakefield furniture?

Gently clean wood furniture surfaces with a damp—not soaking wet—cloth. Use a small amount of a mild dish soap if necessary for removing dirt buildup or something sticky. If there’s residual moisture on the furniture, wipe it away with a dry cloth.

When did Heywood-Wakefield start making furniture?

During the 1930s and 1940s Heywood-Wakefield began producing furniture using sleek designs based on French Art Deco. Long-haul bus companies began focusing on passenger comfort in the 1920s.

How do I identify my furniture maker?

A telltale sign of the furniture’s maker is a manufacturing tag, label or stamp bearing the name of the creator. Such a marking or label may have been placed inside a drawer on an old dresser, on the back of a chest of drawers, or on the underside of a chair or sofa seat.

Is Heywood Wakefield solid wood?

Our furniture is made of solid wood. We don’t use veneer, and particle board or plywood are only used in a very few instances for minor features, namely drawer dividers and backings for case goods.

What colors do Heywood Wakefield come in?

Many Heywood-Wakefield styles are easily identified by their shape and color. Most pieces, with the exception of a 1930s Streamline Maple line, are solid birch with a light finish. The finishes are usually Wheat, a slightly darker golden hue; or Champagne, a lighter paler finish with a hint of rose blush.

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What is the difference between vintage and antique furniture?

In the strictest sense, the difference between an antique and a vintage item is its age. Antiques are items which must be at least 100 years old. That means, as of the date of this posting, an antique item was made on or before April of 1918. … Vintage items are not as old as antiques.

How do I know if my antique furniture is valuable?

The most valuable vintage furniture is rare. Consider whether your furniture is an unusual size, shape, or made for a specialized purpose. A unique carving motif, less common glass color, or otherwise atypical design may increase the value of your furniture.

How can you tell how old furniture is?

1. Look Past the Style of a Piece.
2. Examine Bottoms, Insides, and Backs.
3. Check for Perfectly Matching Elements.
4. Try to Figure Out What Tools Were Used.
5. Look at the Wood and Upholstery Fabric.
6. Investigate the Screws and Other Hardware.

How old does an item have to be to be considered an antique?

The customary definition of antique requires that an item should be at least 100 years old and in original condition. (Motor vehicles are an exception to this rule, with some definitions requiring an automobile to be as little as 25 years old to qualify as an antique.)

How do I know if my antiques are valuable?

1. Few were made in the first place. …
2. Few of the original pieces remain. …
3. A rare or unusual color or design for a particular type of antique. …
4. Unusual size or shape. …
5. Reproducibility.

What years are considered classic?

While a lot of people tend to use these two terms interchangeably when describing collector cars, there are some agreed-upon criteria for what makes a vehicle “classic” or “antique”: Model Year/Age: Generally speaking, antique cars are 45 years or older while classic cars are 20 years or older.

What is the most sought after antique?

1. Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase – $80.2 million. Source. …
2. Ru Guanyao Brush Washer Bowl – $37.68 million. Source. …
3. Record-Breaking Persian Rug – $33.76 million. …
4. Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester – $30.8 million. …
5. Patek Philippe Supercomplication Pocket Watch – $24 million.

What do the numbers on the back of furniture mean?

A number could indicate the style, the maker, or even a patent granted to the company. The furniture back. Some manufacturers used less expensive wood on the back of a bureau, and they placed the label there, where it wouldn’t damage the finish.

How do I find out how much my furniture is worth?

1. The dresser is in good condition, and not very old. You decide that 80% is fair.
2. Multiply $500 by 80%, or . (500 x . 8 = 400)
3. $400 is your baseline asking price for the dresser.

How Old Is Tiger oak furniture?

Although still in demand even today, the tiger oak dates back to the late 19th century. In the 18th century, the colonialists focused on fending for food and shelter, not the luxury of having furniture.

Is there an app to identify furniture?

The Google Goggles app was an image recognition mobile app using visual search technology to identify objects through a mobile device’s camera. The Google Goggles mobile app can: … Recognize and offer information for historical landmarks.

What era is claw foot furniture?

Claw foot tables became a common fixture in many European and American homes during the 18th and 19th centuries. From massive banquet tables to quaint candlestick tables, these tables can be found in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

What makes a piece of furniture an antique?

Furniture that is at least 100 years old is classified as “ANTIQUE”. Any piece that is circa 1990’s to present is just simply used furniture.

What's the difference between antique and classic?

Vintage: Denoting something from the past of high quality, especially something representing the best of its kind. Antique: Having a high value because of age and quality. Classic: Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.

Is 1980 considered vintage?

Vintage furniture is anything that’s at least 20 years old. If a piece of furniture is at least 20 years old, but has been restored, it’s still considered vintage. Within the vintage category, newer pieces, especially those dating from the 1950s to1980, are generally considered retro.