wewontlegueyou outonqlimlt.

We know what you reatlywant from your softwood lumber and panel products supplier: a consistent supply of products, up-to-the-minute market information, and competitive pricing. At Furman Lumber accurate, reliable service has been the number-one lql':'"ii:i:lf"'.'."35tg"rli'y.T::li[""::]il'; we'll supply them with more than one billion board feet of lumber this year.

Our national network of 1 2 sales offices, 1 1 distribution centers and 23 other distribution points guarantees that our entire line of products will always be available, at prices that will keep you competitive.

----:= Right now is the best time ever to make the seasoned traders at Furman Lumber your working partners in the forest products industry. lf you're looking for a dependable source call us today toll-free at 1-800-547-1942 or (S03)6360320. And watch your profits grow.

V.b make markets in all soltwood soecles. Softwood Lumber . Panel Products Wood Specialties

Editor-Publisher David Cutler

Senior f,ditor Juanita Lovret

Associate Editor David Koenig

Contributing Editors Dwight Curran, Gage McKinney, Ken Thim, Wally Lynch

Art Director Martha Emery

Stsff Arlist Ginger Johnson

Circulrtion Lynnene A. Perkins

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 79656000) is published monthly at 451X) Campus Dr,, Suite 480. l,{ewport Beach, Ca, 92660, phone OLA) E52-1990, by Tle tvtrerchant Magazine, Inc. Second-class postage rates paid at Newport Beach, Ca., and additional offices, POSTMASTER: Send addT:.s changes to The IVlerchant Magazine, 4500 Campls Dr, Suite 480, Newport Bpach, Ca. 92660.

Advertising Offices

Advertising rates upon request.

From all states east of the Rocky Mountains: Contact Jim Hein, national sales manacer. From Arizona, Nevada and California: Coniact David Cutler. Borh may be reached at (?14) 852- 1990 or by wriring 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

F'rom Washington State, Oregon, ldaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Northern California and Canada: Conlact Carole Holm at (206) 774-3773 or 21819 77rh Place West. Edmonds. Wa. 98020.

Change of Addrcss-Send subscription orders and address chanses to Circulation Dept., The Merchant Ma-gazine,4500 Campus Dr.. Suite 480. Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. lnclude address label from recent issue ifpossible, new address and zip code.

Subscription Rates-U.S.: $l l-one year; $17-two yearsl 922-three years. Foreign: one year payable in advance in U.S. funds-Canada or Mexico: air-$35: surface-$301 South America: air-$55; surface$30; Asia: air-$68; surface-$30; Europe: air-$98; surface-$30. Single copies-$3; back copies-$4.50 when available plus shipping & handling.

The Merchant Magazine is an indepehdently owned publication for the retail, wholesale and distribution levels ofthe lumber and home center markets in 13 western states.

Do we need a new name for remodeling?

I IKE lots of things today, the world of re- L modeling has gone from bare bones basic to the opposite end of the spectrum. In the process, remodeling has changed from simple kitchen, bath and backyard fix ups to elaborate, expensive, sophisticated projects that give heavy, new meaning to the word excess.

With this change comes the thought that perhaps we need a better term to describe a situation where the home is totally gutted or enlarged by 200oh.ln some cases a perfectly good home is simply scraped off the face of the earth and replaced by another more to the homeowner's taste. Or perhaps lack of taste. The word remodeling just doesn't seem grand enough to describe some of the Iatter.

Some remodelings are so extensive they're like the movie where the Hollywood studio takes in the fat, homely girl and transforms her into a svelte glamour girl, impeccably groomed and dressed. It's such a total overhaul that vou could call it Re-Creation.

What's primarily important for our industry is that the growth of remodeling of all types and sizes has dramatically increased opportunities for dealers and wholesalers to sell more products and services. In times of slow building activity, remodeling has often been the only game in town, allowing companies to survive that would otherwise have turned to dust.

As the activity has gone upscale so has the price of the products: $1000 gold faucets. acres of paneling and moulding and high tech kitchen equipment that wouldn't be out of place in Mission Control at Houston, Tx.

So whether we call it Re-Creation. remodeling or whatever, it is an area that has a future as big as some of today's top-to-bottom, hang-thecost overhauls.