Created by the 19th-century merger of two venerable Massachusetts furniture makers, Heywood-Wakefield was one of the largest and most successful companies of its kind in the United States. In its early decades, the firm thrived by crafting affordable and hugely popular wicker pieces in traditional and historical styles. In the midst of the Great Depression, however, Heywood-Wakefield reinvented itself, creating instead the first modernist furniture — chairs, tables, dressers and more — to be widely embraced in American households.
The Heywoods were five brothers from Gardner, Massachusetts, who in 1826 started a business making wooden chairs and tables in their family shed. As their company grew, they moved into the manufacture of furniture with steam-bent wood frames and cane or wicker seats, backs and sides.
In 1897, the Heywoods joined forces with a local rival, the Wakefield Rattan Company, whose founder, Cyrus Wakefield, got his start on the Boston docks buying up lots of discarded rattan, which was used as cushioning material in the holds of cargo ships, and transforming it into furnishings. The conglomerate initially did well with both early American style and woven pieces, but taste began to change at the turn of the 20th century and wicker furniture fell out of fashion.
In 1930, Heywood-Wakefield brought in designer Gilbert Rohde, a champion of the Art Deco style. Before departing in 1932 to lead Herman Miller — the prolific Michigan manufacturer that helped transform the American home and office — Rohde created well-received sleek, bentwood chairs for Heywood-Wakefield and gave its colonial pieces a touch of Art Deco flair.
Committed to the new style, Heywood-Wakefield commissioned work from an assortment of like-minded designers, including Alfons Bach, W. Joseph Carr, Leo Jiranek and Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, a Russian nobleman who had made his name in Europe creating elegant automotive body designs.
In 1936, the company introduced its “Streamline Modern” group of furnishings, presenting a look that would define the company’s wares for another 30 years. The buoyantly bright, blond wood — maple initially, later birch — came in finishes such as amber “wheat” and pink-tinted “champagne.” The forms of the pieces, at once light and substantial, with softly contoured edges and little adornment beyond artful drawer pulls and knobs, were featured in lines with names such as “Sculptura,” “Crescendo” and “Coronet.” It was forward-looking, optimistic and built to last — a draw for middle-class buyers in the Baby Boom years.
By the 1960s, Heywood-Wakefield began to be seen as “your parents’ furniture.” The last of the Modern line came out in 1966; the company went bankrupt in 1981. The truly sturdy pieces have weathered the intervening years well, having found a new audience for their blithe and happy sophistication.
Find vintage Heywood-Wakefield desks, vanities, tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Heywood-Wakefield Mid-Century Birch Hutch Cabinet, Wheat Finish
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Trenton, NJ
Heywood-Wakefield remains one of the most recognized names in American mid-century furniture, and this two-piece hutch cabinet, finished in the brand’s celebrated Wheat tone, reflect...
Birch
$1,600
H 64.5 in W 34 in D 17 in
Heywood-Wakefield 2-Piece 'Champagne' China Cabinet with Glass Doors, 1960s
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern china cabinet by Heywood-Wakefield, circa 1960s. Featuring a distinctive "Champagne" finish, the 2-piece hutch is made from the finest maple and birch that retains...
Glass, Birch, Maple
Crawford Furniture Mid Century Maple China Cabinet
By Crawford Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Crawford Furniture Mid Century Maple China Cabinet This china cabinet measures: 48 wide x 19.25 deep x 51.5 inches high All pieces of furniture c...
Glass, Maple
$2,995
H 64 in W 33 in D 17 in
Blond "Encore" Step Back Cupboard China Cabinet Etagere by Heywood Wakefield
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century Modern era "Encore" china cabinet/step-back cupboard by Heywood Wakefield featuring a light blond finish birch. The cabinet has an upper showcase with two sliding glass d...
Birch
$2,280
H 48.5 in W 38 in D 19.5 in
Refinished Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser by Heywood Wakefield Co. C 1950s
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Refinished Mid Century Modern Five-Drawer Highboy Dresser by Heywood Wakefield Furniture Corp. Circa 1950s Features five drawers with sculpted ribbon like designed drawer fro...
Wood
$3,995
H 76 in W 60 in D 18 in
MCM 2-Piece China Hutch Cabinet Buffet by Heywood Wakefield Contessa Collection
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Mid-Century Modern 2-piece china hutch, cabinet, or buffet by Heywood Wakefield for the Contessa Collection. Comprised of 2-pieces a top hutch & a bottom buffet in a dark cherrywood, woven wicker basket weave or caned door fronts, brass toned pulls, & slim steel legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are nicks on the left side of the buffet edge toward the front. Stiffener has been added underneath buffet as the cabinet had sagged in the middle making doors uneven. Stiffener corrected that issue. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960’s. In 1959, the Heywood Wakefield “Contessa” slogan was "Wood for warmth and grace ... steel for strength and rigidity." "Furniture of Slender Elegance." And does this China cabinet ever fit that description. The Contessa line features a darker cherrywood, gold or brass toned accents, and slim steel legs. This cabinet has 2 pieces. A bottom buffet that features brass toned pulls that open two sets of double doors. There are three drawers on the right side with a silverware tray in the top drawer. The left side is open storage. The top hutch features two rolling side doors with woven wicker basket weave, or caned, door fronts and three shelves in the center. The whole cabinet stands on slim steel legs and exudes mid-century modern magnificence! This awesome, versatile china cabinet or buffet will look amazing whether you place it in the dining room, living room, study, or the kitchen. It is adaptable enough to blend right in whether your design style leans to Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern, industrial, southwestern, or modern country. In 1897, two prominent furniture companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company merged and created Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company; the name would be shortened to Heywood-Wakefield in 1921. The new company rose to popularity in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s with its solid wood, Art Deco-inspired, mid-century modern furniture. In 1992, South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the Heywood-Wakefield name. After realizing how in demand vintage Heywood Wakefield pieces were, production began on new pieces that remained true to the style, quality, and values of the original company. Today's Heywood-Wakefield is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the name and its famous pieces while incorporating new and contemporary technology which allows new generations to appreciate the classic looks from a classic company. This is a fabulous piece by Heywood Wakefield’s Contessa...
Metal
Heywood Wakefield Mid Century Maple Wheat Credenza and Hutch
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Heywood Wakefield Mid Century Maple Wheat Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 48 wide x 19 deep x 32.5 inches high The hutch measures: 44 wide x 14 deep x 26 inches high The c...
Maple
Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century 2 Door Bar Cabinet with Hutch
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Heywood Wakefield Contessa Mid Century 2 Door Bar Cabinet with Hutch The cabinet measures: 30 wide x 18 deep x 31.5 inches high The hutch measures:...
Wood
$3,199
H 72.75 in W 30 in D 15.5 in
Vintage Khoury Furniture Mid-Century Solid Wood Hutch with Dresser, 1960s
By Khoury Bros.
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Two-Piece Hutch by Khoury Furniture A stunning and versatile vintage hutch by Khoury Furniture, thoughtfully designed as a two-piece unit combining functional st...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia 2-Piece Walnut China Cabinet
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
An iconic piece of American Mid-Century Modern design, this Broyhill Brasilia 2-piece walnut china cabinet showcases the collection’s signature sculpted arch motifs and warm walnut g...
Brass
Mid Century Modern China Cabinet with Limed Finish
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern china cabinet features hardwood construction, original limed walnut finish, two piece design, open shelving and glass display case up top, two cabinet doors d...
Brass
Mid Century 2pc China Cabinet by Albert Parvin for American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern China cabinet by Albert Parvin for American of Martinsville features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, two piece design with three ca...
Glass, Walnut
Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser with Limed Walnut Finish
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern highboy dresser features hardwood construction, original limed walnut finish, five dovetailed drawers with brass hardware, and tapered legs with stretcher bas...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser with Cedar Lined Drawer
By Tri-Bond Furniture 1
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern highboy dresser features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, five dovetailed drawers, and unique sled legs. Matching lowboy dresser wi...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Lowboy Dresser with Mounted Mirror & Sled Legs
By Tri-Bond Furniture 1
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern lowboy dresser features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, 8 dovetailed drawers with brass hardware, unique sled legs, and a large mou...
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser from Sculptra by Broyhill
By Broyhill
Located in Freehold, NJ
This Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser from the Sculptra line by Broyhill features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, three dovetailed drawers with signature...
Walnut
