by Pam Kueber on October 4, 2007
It’s fantastic that you can still get original-design Heywood Wakefield furniture, built new. In 1992 a Miami company bought the rights to the HW furniture line and began producing it to original specifications.
Heywood Wakefield “blonde” furniture was the epitome of 40s and 50s decorating. If you need a sofa – they have several models from which to choose, and a number of fabric choices. You can also provide your own fabric. I’ll do a post on Maharam and melinamade.com fabrics tomorrow – they both have great designs from documented vintage patterns.
Of course, it’s still great to buy original vintage pieces – if you can find them. Regarding vintage sofas – it’s been my experience that it’s very expensive all costs in — what with the need for the piece itself, the fabric and the upholsterer. In addition, if there have been smokers or pets, you’ve go to rip the whole thing down to the springs. Perhaps better, with sofas, to buy the reproduction and start fresh. Check these out on heywood-wakefield.com.
by pam kueber on October 3, 2007
These are fabulous beyond belief — I am blown away that they still make these great, cone fireplaces! Okay, we’re now into 60s style…but I think one of these Malm Fireplaces will look great on the screen porch we’re planning out back. Alternatively: In the attic, when we get around to finishing off the space as an all purpose open space for yoga, reading, my daughter’s sleepovers and a spare guest room.
You can find cheaper versions of these, originals, on eBay. A company called “Preway” also made them, including in the famous orange. But, I think that buying this classic design but new is a great idea – including going with the gas logs!
url: malmfireplaces.com
by Pam Kueber on April 3, 2006
My husband and I have found this book to be incomparable, in terms of generating ideas for every aspect of decorating our 1951 ranch. The interiors were all created by interior designers charged with selling Armstrong flooring. As such, they’re “over decorated” — but that’s part of what makes this book so AWESOME. I’ve paged through it at least 1000 times, so far! It is well worth the cost.
Final note: You can see, I am not a midcentury modern snob. Sure, I like the expensive, renowned designer pieces. But only the rich lived like that. I love the eclectic mix – the fact that ambitious women were turning their creativity toward their home – and of course, the exuberance – of the period.
