Evening star., 1923-12-13
FURNITURE TRADE
IN HOLIDAY BOOM
Sales lump as People Turn to
Useful Gifts-1924 Out
look Is Bright.
BY j. c. ROYLE.
Epecial Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December 13.-Furni-
ture vans are buster at present max
ing deliveries than at any time this
year. according to authorities in the
furniture trade. The holiday gift
buying, seeking an outlet along use
full lines. has quickened retail furni-
ture sales sharply. This tendency has
been augmented by redoubled adver-
tisfnG effort on the part of dealers,
and the trade is figuring on a far
better than average volume of sales
for the month
Both the furniture manufacturing
situation and the position of the deal
Hrs give promise that this improve
ment Will be continued in 1924 Ad-
NertiSing. both national and local will
not be allowed to slacken, and i'm
proved methods of production and
distribution are counted on to enable
consumers to buy more advantage
ously than a any time since the 1919
IS2O peak was passed
Huge Sum Expended.
Approximately $3.50, ,OOo. 600 worth of
furniture will have been purchased
ny January 1. according to trade
Statisticians. Prices realized have
been from 50 to 40 per cent higher
Since the close of the 1920 period.
furniture prices and sales movements
nave reflected a wholesome back-to-
normal effort" said f. NJ. Wakefield
VINO as an analyst has been closely
associated with the industry for ten
Years. During the brief period of
postwar imitation. prices rose in some
instances $50 per cent above 1914
levels. But the readjus tments of the
last three years have been thorough
a mo h,,t
abrupt as to demoralize the trade
Good furniture today costs the house
holder only 80 to 40 per cent more
than before the war"
See No Cuts In Prices.
Manufacturers declare vigorously
that industrial costs are such that
reduction of prices on present furni-
sure designs cannot be made at pres
ent but there is a movement under
way for the production of STYLES
which may be offered both retailer
and consumer at prices to 10 per
cent under present levels 1t is eX-
peCted that these will be presented TO
The trade and the public at the semi
annual furniture shows In Chicago and
Grand Rapids. In January Manufnc-
turerS hope these new designs will
stimulate buying. both in the whole
sale market and on the retail floors.
AS to styles. history is repeating
itself. Dealers declare that the de-
riod are in most demand for dining
room furniture at present, while the
models associated with the names Of
Louis XVI and Queen Anne are be-
ing chosen for bedroom suites. OF
the two. the French furniture is the
favorite, so far as sales records show.
Period Fashions Popular.
According to the cycle of furniture
fashions. William and Mary styles
have gone into eclipse, being sup
planted by the heavier and more sub
Stantial types of the renaissance,
when chair backs had to be guaran-
teed to turn a dagger.
Furniture manufacturers declare
that these styles will prevail at the
January exhibition. although they
will not supplant the classic schools
fostered by Heppelwhite and Chip
pendale. Walnut and mahogany are
the woods most housewives are Sc
are of the dull. ruhbed-in finish
known in furniture circles as "Tu-
dor"
New Combinations.
Cost and lack of space in city
apartments have brought the two
piece upholstered suite into promi-
new combinations include a daven-
port and chair to match or Tux
edo sofa and CoXwen chair. The
seat of the Tuxedo sofa is formed of
removable. spring filled cushions. The
back is plain and lightly upholstered,
comfort being supplied by loose.
down-filled pillows.
The overstuffed rocker, dealers say,
is fast disappearing.