Just over the Pennsylvania border into Maryland, about an hour outside of DC there’s a treasure trove of vintage blond streamline modern furniture. Yes, it’s the Heywood Wakefield furniture mecca known as Strictly hey-wake in Hagerstown MD.
Blond wood, simple modern lines, art deco inspired curves, I’ve been a fan of Heywood Wakefield furniture ever since I was in college, so I contacted owner Chris Parody and hit the road!
Chris’ connection to Heywood Wakefield’s streamlined modern furniture began innocently enough back in 1986 when he purchased a Sculptura bedroom set and wanted more pieces. Being bitten by the collector bug – I think some of us know that feeling - he soon began to accumulate more pieces than he really needed. He then began Strictly Hey-Wake in 1998 to help clear out some of what he had collected. And what a collection!
His showroom is filled with pieces built between the late 1930s to 1950s, all with that nice streamlined clean-lined look. Dining tables, bedroom sets, desks, room dividers, side tables, Heywood Wakefield made it all, and all of quality solid maple and birch.
But if you don’t see what you’re looking for in the showroom, no worries- Strictly Hey-Wake has an entire warehouse full of pieces ready-to-go or right for refinishing. Just look at all of those bookcases! I swoon.
With a background in home improvements (and originally unable to find anyone else to do a good job) Chris has now become one of the leading restorers and refinishers of Heywood Wakefield items, and is often able to match the popular HW finishes of Champagne and Wheat.
And, while specializing in locating both the common and hard to find vintage pieces, Chris is also adept at accurately recreating the HW look with custom pieces. This is a great service, as he can create queen and king size beds, computer desks and entertainment units for modern living with that vintage look.
I know many of us enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” when collecting, but there’s something to be said for being able to see so many pieces in one space, and know that you could have a set without having to wait years between finding pieces!
If you’re not within driving distance of Hagerstown MD but want to see what is in stock at Strictly Hey-Wake, the website is updated with photos and descriptions of many of the pieces that are available or that can be custom made or refinished. So if you like your furniture blond, clean-lined and modern, check out Strictly Hey-Wake.
Strictly Hey Wake
13702 Pennsylvania Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 733-3682
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I’m still kinda speechless. This place looks like Valhalla for MCM nuts!
I need to go to it…
Jen – glad I’m not the only one! I had a sugar rush as soon as I got into the place. And Chris was wicked nice to deal with. If you go tell him Mod Betty sent you!
OMG, this may get me to take that long postponed trip to visit my bro’ in PA (uh, and take a little detour down to see this!).
Jen – I had Strictly Hey-Wake bookmarked on my computer for years, SO glad I decided to just GO! have fun!
I think I would pass out cold if I ever get the chance to go in this place! It’s like my dream retro heaven!!! LOVE!!!
My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post.
But the last thing I want to see happen is that it stops the conversation on this topic, especially if you have something you want to add!
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Your hostess, Mod Betty