The Detroit times., 1911-01-02

Gus other parts Of s--~
the world. will be In attendance TO
make their selection for the next six
months trade.
Formerly Grand Rapids was known
as the home OF the sectional book.
case. NOW T. 10 developing into not
only the largest furniture manufactur.
Ing city OF the world, but the larges;
center or any one line oil manufactur.
ing trade. With the possible excey
ZION OF the Kimberly Diamond Mining
pant there is no other trade center
on earth representing such an enor-
NOUS financial expenditure. |. is ex-
pected that the sales OF the prospec.
1--WE exposition will outrank those or
any trade exposition ever held in the
world. There are nearly three thou
sand furniture manufacturers IN Grand
Rapids. They produce everything i'll
furniture from the cheapest kitchen
chair 10 the costliest carved and up
holstered salon furnishings. But not
one OF these local manufacturers will
have goods on exhibition. The asso-
citation desires TO bring the products
CT other manufacturers 10 Grand Rap
ids III order to make II the furniture
trade center OF the earth. Buyers OF
the Grand Rapids product must visit
the factories to select their goods.
The New York Furniture exchange
Will also hold an exposition next
month which will be second 10 Grand
Rapids in Importance. In this con-
nectlon must be mentioned the enor-
nous building now being constructed
for exposition purposes under the di-
rection OF the New York Manufacture
ers' exchange. This building will be
devoted TO permanent exhibit OF the
manufacturers OF the world, with spc.
cial attention 10 furniture There al
ready has been s16.000.O00 worth OF
furniture pledged for exhibition after
the building is completed. which VIII
probably be about April /. This will
be the largest exhibition of furniture
ever gathered under one roof. The
January exposition in New York Will
be held in the Furniture Exchange
room. Ii will be attended by buyers
from every part OF the country, most
OF whom deem IL absolutely essential
TO attend both the New York and
Grand Rapids gathering.
The development OF furniture is an
interesting adjunct to the study OF
humanity The improvement OF the
home marks the progress from saw.
agery TO civilization. In America the
products OF European civilization
served as models for the earlier man
ufacturers OF furniture. They seemed
10 make nothing typical or distinctive
until the mission product sprang into
popular favor. While In sense the
mission products are an adaptation OF
the early Spanish monastical designs.
their adoption for general home use
was purely an American conception.
which has been, and will continue to
be, copied throughout the world. The
mission furniture seems TO have come
to stay despite some adverse critic
ism, for while several new designs
have been offered the sales for mis-.
sion furniture have almost doubled
during the past two years.
There are new ideas in regard to
the finishing of the different woods.
Natural effects are nov in favor.
Fumed oak instead OF the black of
the early mission furniture is being
generally adopted. This gives a rich
brown tinge less sonbre than the
other. Circassian walnut is the most
expensive wood now on the market.
Ii is not unusual to see bedroom sets
offered for sale as high as $4,000.
Much OF this Circassian walnut Is ve-
neer, because this process brings out
the grain of the wood. For the manu-
facturer, however, the Circassian wal
nut Is little more expensive than
buried oak or solid mahogany and its
durability is not yet fully established.
To the furniture trade. more than
to any other, must be ascribed the
great impetus given to the credit sys-
tenn which has become so dominant Il
feature of the commercial life OF to-
day. 1t was furniture that was first
sold on monthly installment plans and
each year develops new schemes for
increasing business by furnishing
homes on the credit basis.
The advertising manager always Is
ready with an attractive proposition
that will appeal to the home-seeker.
The get married and let us furnish
your home" advertisement which the
love-lCrn young man encounters on
the street, In the car, at his Office and
in his daily paper, has become po-
tent factor in making benedicts. Fur
nishing homes for young married
couples has become so prominent a
feature I'm the furniture business that
q New York association claims TO re-
port upon the matrimonial prospects
of young men in various parts Of the
city. II receives a fair percentage
from the sales of furniture sold to per-
sons whose names have been FUR
nished as candidates for home making.
To attract attention to their goods,
furniture stores. sometimes offer "a
substantial present, generally a bed,
room suite, to young couple who VIII
be married In front store window
on a certain day. For this event, the
store is in exhibition order, grea.
reception follows the ceremony and
hundreds of dollars worth OF sales re-
suit from the advertisement OF the
furniture presented TO the young mar
ried couple.
AS furniture generally embraces all
kinds OF house furnishings. Including
upholstery. a popular way OF advertis.
ing Is TO have model rooms furnished
for permanent exhibition. A House
Beautiful il generally found in every
large up-to-dGte Furniture store. Goods
are displayed in this way to much bet
ter advantage than in the salesroom.
Il, - Hno nf gnnda an nor.