Heywood Wakefield haul (Status: part 1 of 2)

Last week I spotted an ad on Craigslist for a guy selling a storage unit full of Heywood Wakefield furniture, CHEAP.  Okay, it ALL needs totally refinished but, did I mention that it was CHEAP?  I picked up a few potentially nice pieces, starting with these  four C157 side chairs.

I was late to spot this ad (I admit, I don't comb through Craigs everyday or, some times, even every week) so he had sold about half his stash by the time I contacted him.  I consider myself lucky to get a few pieces which will probably be a major spring project that has me sneezing sawdust.

 The upholstery is not only stained, dirty, worn and tattered but it is a hideous faux needlepoint.  Dig how the waist of the chair tapers near the seat.

I think the wood detail along the side makes the chairs look "leggy", sleek and sophisticated.

All of the damage to the wood is confined to the finish and is mostly on the lower legs or the top of the side wood.  Again, these were cheap- $25 a piece, how could you turn them down?

Heywood Wakefield always marks their pieces so well; there is seldom any doubt about the model of the finish name.  These C157 chairs were made for three years (1947-50) so I don't think they are exactly rare (feel free to correct me Mr. A Modern line).