Change is bad
Heywood-Wakefield dining set: whalebone table, dog-bone chairs, 1956
I don’t like change. I like to eat at the same restaurants, wear the same style, and follow a set routine. Last week I realized it was time to buy a new sofa. As a designer, I should be adept at a task like this. My furniture habits, however, follow my rule about change: don’t do it, stick to the tried and true. I’m still grappling with the sofa issue, and I can only thank the gods that I don’t need a new dining set. I’ve had the same set for over a decade. It’s a Heywood-Wakefield set designed in 1956. The table is described as a whalebone style because of the shape of its legs. The chairs are called dog-bone style for the shape of the cutout. I love that. Since I liked the dining set, it made sense to stick with Heywood-Wakefield across the board. We had Wakefield at the ranch and it reminds me of simple western living. I could continue talking about the elegant forms and good quality, but the reality is that I like it and would be clueless if I were forced to buy something new.
Heywood-Wakefield Sculptura dresser, 1953
Heywood-Wakefield Aristocraft arm chair, 1954
Heywood-Wakefield Encore bed and night stand, 1958
Heywood-Wakefield Kohinoor night stand, 1949
Heywood-Wakefield ad
November 10th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Wow. Where do you find it all? It’s in pristine condition as well!
November 10th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
nice furniture, old or not
eager to see the sofa that makes the cut
November 11th, 2009 at 9:15 am
OK, I find it so interesting and kind of amazing that your family ranch furniture was Heywood-Wakefield. The stuff they call “cowboy chic” now just pales in comparison.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I know. I always thought it was just that western stuff that we had, or people had in roadside motels. Who knew?
November 11th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Don’t make me think about that. it’s too scary. The Wakefield sofas look good, but are hard as rocks.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Some of it came from the ranch, the rest came from Penny Lane here in LA. They recently closed to my horror.
July 14th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Wow that dining room looks great! Is that table in chairs in the wheat color or champagne?