lmported hardwood products for the dealer

By John Osgnod Robert S. Osgood, Inc. Los Angclcs. ('a.

rpplied to rvalls, old turniture, old kitchen cabinets. put on cr-rrving surflces. etc. The stock can be cut wltlr r krrife or scissors and provide probably as profbund an inrprovement for rrrinir-nal effort and expcnse as can be irlagined. This nratcrial is availablc in woods like teak and walnut and work done with this stock can prtrdrrc'c lrrruzirrg resu I ts.

With the trend away frorn wallto-wall carpcting and linoleunr, the re-enrergencc of hardwood floors becomcs alnrost automatic. Of grcatest interest in thc irnported harclwood llcld is plrt;ucl flooring in specics sr.rch as loscrvood and teak which can be obtained at prices lower than nrany buyers rvould cxpcct.

Sorne very beautiful front or other accent doors are being importcd as well as lrardwood door jaurbs, casings and stops. Thele appears to be a trend away frorn automatically painting every door and janib and imported hardwoods are helping to fill this need drarnatically. Decorative molding of inrported hardrvoods is also arriving in this country in increasing quantities, as are hardwood "plant-ons in various shapes that

Story at aGlance

Dealer items in the field of imported hardwood products include wall paneling, veneer strips, parquet f looring, k-d kitchen cabi nets, spindles, tu rnings, balustrades, etc . . hand carved wooden doors, jambs, casings and stops continue to be popular sellers.

citn be used as accents on doors or a wall area that needs help.

Did you know that it is possible to gct imported knock-down kitchen cabinets in many different finishes and sizes? These arrive neatly cartoned fronr overseas ancl are attractively priced.

Spindles, turnings ior legs, etc. and balustrades are also arriving in increasing quantities fronr overseas. It was intelesting to note recently that some of them are made of light coiored guatambu (pau marfim) fiom Brazil and acld another source of supply to the usunl.comparable Asian species such as ranrin.

Also, bear in mind that morc and more inrported RWRL hardwood lunrber flnds its way to the retail yard for uses that number in the dozens by anrateur or prof'essional craftsmen.

Let's not lbrget the shrink-packed shelving that is beconring increasingly sophisticated from overseas suppliers or louvet doors and shutters. It's best to use these in areas where a natural finish is required for most imported hardwood species are hard to painl.

This is only a partial list but if any idcas are generated. we would suggest contacting a supplier you know, or if you don't know where to tum, contacl tlre lnrported Hardwood Products Association, Inc., P.O. Box 1308, Alexandriu, Ya., 21313, for a list of its members. Any of them would be happy to give further information ari to reliable suppliers and we hope promotional rnaterial for the retail salesman. Many times he has no way to know the advantages involved in irnported hardwoods and needs to be informed and given adequate support.