Hey! Should I Paint a Heywood?
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Heywood Furniture company existed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I acquired a beautifully shaped, pressback rocker with a caned seat. The label on the bottom is VERY faded but it is definitely made by Heywood. I plan on repairing the cane but cannot decide whether or not to refinish it or to paint it. I want to sell it when I am finished. I have found there does not seem to be a big demand for rocking chairs, even in the new parent community. I am curious to hear how you think I should finish this lovely chair. Also if you can offer suggestions as to how to best market it, I would be grateful.
46 answers
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This seems in such good condition that I think it would remain more valuable with its original finish. I have several Heywood-Wakefield pieces. Lovely pieces. The cane repair looks straightforward. I hope you keep it original. Collector will appreciate your choice.
Cass
on Jan 21, 2014
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I would have it appraised first, and then make decision if going to sell or not before I painted. It is a beautiful piece :)
Cynthia E
on Jan 21, 2014
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I would not paint it. Do have it appraised first. Look into repairing the cane. My aunt used to do it. I don't know how hard it is to do.
Marge
on Jan 21, 2014
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Thx. I never really thought about getting it appraised. It will add to the cost but it's a pretty piece.
Joan @ Nicer Than New
on Jan 21, 2014
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I wouldn't do anything to it but clean it up and have it appraised. Then and only then would I make repairs. It's a beautiful chair. I bet it would sell more in a warmer climate where folks have covered porches. I know I'd love it for our front sun porch.
Z
on Jan 21, 2014
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I would clean it, repair the cain and keep it for myself....I love a rocker on the porch! I would not paint this chair. It is just to lovely the way it is:)
Debbie
on Jan 21, 2014
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Go on line and research these rockers. I would just clean it up and give it a good polish, then add a very pretty tie on cushion to the seat and back. I think something very modern in this old piece would make it a fun piece...like french country!
Jeanette S
on Jan 22, 2014
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Please follow the above comments! If you change the piece in any way other than cleaning it up, it diminishes the value completely. Even the repair work that is needed should be done very carefully as one slip could ruin any financial gain you have. Most antique malls or appraisers will look it over and give you a baseline for as little as $50. For that you get a professional assessment, background and do's & dont's. Good luck!
SixthGenTexan
on Jan 22, 2014
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Kovels is a good resource too. I often check sold listings on ebay to see what things are going for but Heywood pieces go for a lot so I think painting one would be a mistake as the value would be diminished by altering it
Kathy Conley
on Jan 22, 2014
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Please don't paint that beautiful wood! I would have the cane repaired and sell it as is. It's a gorgeous chair...
Mary
on Jan 22, 2014
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I would not paint it..have cane repaired...paint may lower value of chair..it is beautiful!
Roxanne
on Jan 22, 2014
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She's beautiful as she sits. If you change the original finish then you will bring the chairs value down. Please, Please, don't touch her finish!!
Marylee
on Jan 22, 2014
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I agree with the comments above. No paint!
Sally
on Jan 22, 2014
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No paint please!!! :D i´ve managed to change all my dinning room table chairs for these awesome pieces, if we where closer i would buy it from you! Their value goes up if they have less work done to them and keep their original finish. Age patina is also wanted when you buy them, yours has the original label so try not to touch that it also adds to the price. good luck! you have an awesome piece of furniture and history.
Roberto De Uslar Alexander
on Jan 22, 2014
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Okay! I WILL NOT PAINT IT! I did get an online appraisal and if I fix the cane and little is changed, it could be worth anywhere between $200 and $400. Thanks everyone for all the great advice and tips!
Joan @ Nicer Than New
on Jan 22, 2014
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I didn't mention but I picked up this chair for $40 at an on-line estate auction, sight unseen. It will all be good in the end :-)
Joan @ Nicer Than New
on Jan 22, 2014
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love the chair... can't live with out a rocker...painting it would ruin it in my book...but to each their own
Delores Smith Lamb
on Jan 22, 2014
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I would paint it in a milky green shade.
Chrissie
on Jan 22, 2014
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Do not paint it! It would ruin the charm of the piece. Rockers are great in any setting.
Jerry Deasy
on Jan 23, 2014
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No way don't ruin it that's an all to common mistake. Sand and restain it
Stephen Mitchell
on Jan 23, 2014
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Nope, keep it original. Vintage items should be left with the original color, only paint newer furniture...
Retro Steam Works
on Jan 23, 2014
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I vote no paint also! So much beautiful work is being hidden under paint. This piece just needs some love
RayRay
on Jan 23, 2014
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Noooooooooooooooooooo!
Floy
on Jan 23, 2014
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Please do not paint! Please! Please!
Doreen Gregorchik
on Jan 23, 2014
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No no no. No paint.
Mimi
on Jan 23, 2014
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Oh my please do not paint it!! Beautiful old pieces of furniture should never be touched. The richness of the wood on comes with time, and that's what you have! Keep it like it is, except for the cane!
Nancy Culhane Hoag
on Jan 23, 2014
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Do NOT paint it! You will ruin the value. Heywood furniture is highly collectible, I have a Heywood-Wakefield bedroom suit that could stand to be refinished, but all I did was wash it with Murphy's Oil Soap which brightened it up considerably. If I would have it refinished by some one who restores this type of furniture (there is a website) the chest of drawers alone would sell for about $1,700.00. Fix the seat and leave the rest alone.
Eleanor P
on Jan 23, 2014
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Oh Nooo Please don't
REBECCA FAUST
on Jan 23, 2014
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! I am sooooo tired and fed up with all these redo-er's who seem to swear by "sand it a little and paint it!" OMG! Ya'll are intent on ruining all this solid ANTIQUE pure wood furniture! The people who built this furniture didn't paint it, why on earth should we??? Just clean it a bit, sand it, softly steel wool it and clear stain it and put a clear sealer on it and be done! LESS IS MORE! This is a gorgeous piece and I would NEVER paint it! Worst mistake you could make.
Barbara Turner
on Jan 23, 2014
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if it weren't a Heywood. It would be ok to paint if it were just some random piece .
Cheryl
on Jan 23, 2014
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Keep it natural.....for color add a pretty colored cushion.
Lisa
on Jan 23, 2014
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My parents have a rocker that looks just like this! My grandfather did "dumpster diving". He found furniture that was all broken up, and he and my father made the missing pieces, stripped the original, and refinished it in the original color wood stain.
Julia Brown
on Jan 23, 2014
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do NOT paint. Have the seat recaned and use a furniture refinishing product such as Formby's on the wood. Keep this treasure as it is.
Lisa Cuddy
on Jan 23, 2014
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Heywood-Wakefield a Gardiner,MA furniture company is no longer in business so what you have is valuable. Repair the seat caning and clean it up with Murphy's then a goos paste wax and you will have a beautiful family heirloom.
Kathleen Potter
on Jan 23, 2014
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NO!!!!!
Val Dempsey
on Jan 23, 2014
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NO!!!!!
Sharon Clyatt
on Jan 24, 2014
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Ditto on the DO NOT PAINT!! Not everything looks better painted! This would be a disaster. Really it is easier to restore with' Howards' I think it's called. Also try to preserve the label~that's very cool!
Denise S.
on Jan 24, 2014
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do not paint
Joyce M
on Jan 24, 2014
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Here, research is key-find out it's restored worth 1st. Then, consider it's purpose meaning-is it to keep or sell? Next, if keeping then how will you feel about it as a permanent piece and how will you feel about it painted years from now? Do you have a pretty permanent spot for it? Is it going in color schemed room you don't plan on changing? If you're ever planning to sell it, restoring it to it's original condition is best for the highest resale benefit. If not, paint it with the above in mind. If it's a high dollar piece maybe just add color with cushioned seat-restoring the cane seat 1st-and a back cushion so you can enjoy a lil' color play with it for the time being Natural is still a good choice, but a lil' color will take it out of the brown on brown effect. Choose wisely and you'll reap the benefits one way or the other!
Meliss Etner
on Jan 24, 2014
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NO NO NO PAINT JUST new caneing AND AN EYE POPPING SEAT CUSHION, PLEASE and THANK YOU Any time you refinish anything worth any real money the dollar value goes down. If there is nothing wrong with the finish just a good LIGHT cleaning is all that is needed. Anyone who knows what they are buying is going to look for wear in the right places to prove the true age of any piece of furniture.
Irish53
on Jan 24, 2014
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No!
TJ
on Jan 24, 2014
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Never
Sharan Graves
on Jan 25, 2014
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Paint would devalue a Haywood. You can research finishes recommended for repairing Heywoods.
C. Shelton
on Jun 18, 2015
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NO WAY
Nancy
on Jun 18, 2015
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I painted mine and was extremely sorry; You will be too! It lowers the value and you will wind up having to strip it all off; Don*t do it. I guarantee you will be very sorry.
We28518635
on Jul 23, 2016
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I want 2 repair the seat as last pic above. The wicker seat is broken and how do I fix it.
Lyn Hinton
on Sep 25, 2016
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