The Heywood-Wakefield Streamline Modern Series changed the game for the company. At the
1925 International Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries in Paris, companies representing countries around the world were invited to share their innovative furniture. However, at the time, the United States had no new ideas to promote. American furniture companies were making unoriginal reproductions of old-fashioned designs. Heywood-Wakefield had a history of keeping up with modern styles and quickly fixated on developing a new and innovative look.
Streamline Modern
Until the 1930s, HW focused mostly on chairs but shifted its focus to follow the growing interest in complete furniture sets. During this time, the company started designing streamlined, light-colored furniture. This invigorated the post-World War market. Streamline Modern style was inspired by the aerodynamic design found everywhere during this time. The design was found in transportation, architecture, and even household appliances. It had a clean, Scandinavian look made popular by designers like
Arne Jacobsen and
Hans Wegner.
The new Heywood Wakefield furniture lacked sharp edges and was characterized by its sleek curves. In 1933, the Streamline Modern line was introduced at the
Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago to great popularity. This Heywood-Wakefield Streamline Modern series ushered in the age of mid-century modern furniture, which is
still in demand today.
Making Curved Furniture
To create curved furniture, Heywood-Wakefield utilized a method called steam bending. This process involved steaming the wood until it was malleable enough to bend without snapping. Then, the wood would be placed in a drying oven for up to a day so that the furniture would hold its curved shape.
Mid-Century Modern
In the late 1940s to early 1950s, Heywood-Wakefield continued to incorporate pieces with elegant curves and soft edging but developed a more classic mid-century modern look. This furniture was popular across the country and epitomized the simplicity and efficiency of classic mid-mod design.
