Jessica writes with a question we all likely ask at one time or another in our collecting (and dumpster-diving) lives:
Hi there! It goes without saying that I love your blog or I wouldn’t be reaching out.
So, I have this little set. It’s a Heywood Wakefield table — missing its leaves — and two chairs. One with arms and one without. We found it free on the side of the road. The original labels and paperwork are still stapled under one of the chairs. Anyway, the poor set has been badly abused. The Champagne finish has seen better days, and obviously parts of the set have been lost along the way — the other chairs as well as the leaves. The table top has some spreading between the pieces of wood likely because it was left in the rain or somewhere moist. And lots of rings. *sigh*
So, my question is this.
Do I pay to have this refinished in the right stain, and see if they can do anything about the spreading and stains. OR, do I have it done in something fun like a black lacquer? Its role is likely going to be an art table for the kids in their super cool retro playroom. At most, it could end up being my desk in my office.
The chairs are cat eye style. I’m not sure on the table. Trying to look that up now.
Any thoughts?
Jessica
Hi there back, Jessica! Thank you, and good girl, dumpster diver! Excellent question — and a great one for our team of smarty readers weigh in on.
What do you think, readers?
Is it righteous to restore wrecked vintage furniture back to its original finish?
Or, can we get creative?
I definitely have an opinion, but family hold back.
CTpinkster says
NO NEVER paint WOOD! I have NO painted wood in my house! (Except molding in the basement -honest)
Terry says
REFINISH!!!
Patty says
Blonde furniture goes in and out of style, up and down. A dealer, who sells MCM at high prices, told me a couple of years ago that the bottom suddenly dropped on his HW furniture along with the economy. He lost money on some and had to sell it at an auction house to move it. Now I see he’s got more in his store.
I plan to paint 2 HW pieces with the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations in a slightly darker shade than the champagne. I don’t want to sand, strip, etc. If the first piece doesn’t turn out good, I won’t bother with the 2nd, my favorite.
My mom bought the pieces new in the 50s and she would be happy to know I was interested in using them. Even if the don’t turn out like I hope.
It’s yours – do what you want. Use it as firewood if you wish — just check to make sure there are no toxic fumes.
lynda davis says
How about sanding and putting on Watco Danish Oil for the top. It is pretty easy to keep up. Follow the directions using the wet/dry sand paper for your final coat and you won’t believe how beautiful the finish is. You can buy some laminated cotton to make a tablecloth to protect the table. Some of the fabrics are 54″ wide and very pretty. Someday, if you want, you can refinish it easily with a more era appropriate finish. Waterlox is a great finish too that will not chip and is easy to keep up.
Beki says
My mom used to buy cheap vinyl tablecloths and sew elastic around the edges to make them fitted to put on the dining room table for me & my brother to do ‘projects’ when we were little. Maybe do something like that until you Definitely decide what you want to do with the table. Ultimately it is Your table and you can do with it as you please…just my 2 cents.
Cee says
Please don’t paint Heywood Wakefield! I say don’t paint wood in general, it looks awful, but if it’s a cheap piece it’s one thing…if it’s Heywood Wakefield it’s another! You have a gorgeous piece there that many people including myself would have LOVED to have found. If all you want is a kids table, refinish it, sell it for a few hundred bucks and buy them something junky at the thrift store!
Moe says
PLEASE don’t paint Haywood-Wakefield table and chairs and use it for a kids craft table!!! Oh my god, I’m having a heart attack just thinking of that. You should restore it and sell it to any of the plethora of Hey-Wake lovers out there if you’re not a fan. Part of what makes Hey-Wake furniture so beloved is the wood. Please, please, PLEASE don’t ruin that precious antique by painting it.
Just another Pam says
Moe, if you want good deals on this kind of furniture search it spelled incorrectly on eBay…..Ha instead of He….
Someone in California missed a boomerang drop leaf for 99 cents in much better condition than this table.
Brian says
Depending on your area’s appetite for Heywood-Wakefield, it’s easy to imagine that it would be worth more as is than painted. There are plenty of ways to get any old painted table and chairs; there are few ways to get the style that Heywood-Wakefield aficionados salivate over.
Patty says
Actually, Heywood Wakefield sells new furniture in these vintage styles.
Mia says
You are lucky! I’ve been looking for the cat-eye chairs for months and you find them for free on the curb! As anyone says, you found them, they are yours and you can do what you will with them! I’ve seen them restored with “new” vintage upholstery and they look incredible. You can’t find wood like that now. Even new HW doesn’t read the same. I’m sure that whatever you do they will be a conversation piece and look great in your home!
Neal Kielar says
Please consider restoring this. That way it will become a piece you treasure for a long time rather than something to enjoy for the moment. However, if you do paint it make sure you do it well and seal it so the finish is lasting. Enjoy. @MidModMen