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| > || Scavengers renovate vintage furnishings UPI photo Computer furniture -- made and priced for home use -- is often overlooked by consumers who invest a lot of time and money choosing a computer. Renee McDonald, manager of Desk and Furnishings Inc. in Washington D.C., sits in an adjustable chair designed for computer use. ; I Full-service stores regaining attention By Karen Timmons United Press International The old saying is still right on the mark: "One man!s garbage is another man's trea­ sure." When it comes to home furnishings, there is a growing breed of people who will spend days or even months in search of such treasure. Across the land, they are picking through junkyards and demoli­ tion sites, flea markets and antique shops, in search of castoffs that can be turned into just the right touch for an empty corner or a lone­ ly wall. Call it scavenger chic or salvaged furnishings, but don't call it second­ hand. The homes of to­ day's scavengers often reflect an originality that can't be bought in a furniture store. Salvagable goods such as old mantel­ pieces, clawfoot tubs and stained glass have long been sought by treasure hunters and antique lovers, but to today's scavenger ev­ ery conceivable castoff is fair game. "People will grab anything -- stuffed birds, neon tubes, any­ thing. It's unbeliev­ able," says Adam Espinosa, proprietor of Adam's Junk in Los An­ geles for nearly 30 years. "We get a lot of stu­ dents who come in (from USC and yCLAi and they'll buy oddball pieces of iron to stick in their living room as some kind of sculp­ ture." said Espinosa. Joseph Hernandez, manager of The Junk Shop in Los Angeles, sees no discernible West Coast trend in scavenging. "There's no latest rage," he said. "Whatever is weird is what seems to sell the fastest." Hernandez recalled one "yuppie couple" who visited his store in search of old barbells to decorate their recrea­ tion room. In Van Nuys, Calif., junk dealer Bill Chazen remembers selling a gun turret, meant for a warship to a man who planned to open a snow cone shop and thought the turret would make a perfect igloo. "And it's been amazing how many people come in and buy old Christmas wrap," Chazen said. In Washington, D.C., tastes among scaven­ gers tend toward the more traditional, if no less innovative. Jeff Yu- din, owner of The Canal Co., which specializes in architectural an­ tiques, says stained glass and mantelpieces are still big, although many are now seeking the mantelpieces for use as headbaords. Yudin's hottest sell­ ers these days, howev­ er. are columns or ped­ estals of any period or size. "Those they use for everything from ta­ ble bases to plant stands to making a statement ... like two columns in the living room." he said. "Any­ thing that can be used as a pedestal, people are interested in." The Washington deal­ er has also spotted "a growing trend" in the popularity of 1940s and '50s lighting fixtures; "They're interested in classic pieces," he said. "If they have a classic 1940s house, they're looking for period light­ ing fixtures because most of those have been torn out." Architectural an- tiques are also in high demand among Texas scavengers. At Orr-Reed Wreck­ ing, the oldest and larg­ est such salvage opera­ tion in North Texas, the biggest sales are in ar­ chitectural pieces such as gargoyles, stained glass windows and or­ namentally carved stairways. Ironwork al­ ways sells well, accord­ ing to owner Charles Orr. "We get our best ideas from our custom­ ers," Orr said. By Sarah Stlansen UPI business writer ; NEW YORK - Furni­ ture stores are fighting * back, wooing a genera- - tion of taste-conscious i status seekers with ser- l vice, selection and f .price, „ t- The last decade ^brought on hard times ' for many furniture re­ tailers. Squeezed by - growing imports and £ stlffer competition from ; department stores, dis- * counters, antique stores : arid designer show- vroorhs, going-out-of- business tag sales have , been a common fate for * furniture stores. * But despite the prob­ lems, retailers are learning to adapt to new market conditions, of­ fering extended service and selection at better prices to stay in the - game. Just about 80 percent of America's furniture is bought at a store spe­ cializing in furniture, rather than a depart­ ment store with a furni­ ture department, ac­ cording to the National Home Furnishings As­ sociation. Total annual dollar volume is expect- >ed to exceed $24.4 bil- , lion in 1985. ;t> If you throw in floor coverings, antiques and poritract furniture, the ^annual retail figure bal- * Joons to about $100 I billion. Like fashion, the fur­ niture business depends Lon its markets to intro- duce retailers to the lat­ est styles. But unlike fashion, furniture is ba­ sically resistant to seasonality. "There are very few seasonal things," said John Holman, owner of Adele Hunt's Furniture and Studio in Dallas Lwtffcplesllent of the Na- has tional Home Furnish­ ings Association. There are some ex­ ceptions. Labor Day, for example, is a terrif­ ic time to pick up some new patio furniture. Summers are gener­ ally slow, and stores are more likely to have more sales and special offers, as is true in Jan­ uary, with retailers clearing out overstock and getting inventories in shape for the year ahead. One bonanza for shop­ pers -- and problem for sellers -- has been a sharp increase in im­ ports. Taiwan and Ko­ rea, for example, with, their low labor costs, are able to export cheaply and have a strong presence in the moderate to lower- priced end of the furni­ ture business. The American Furni­ ture Manufacturers As­ sociation and the Com­ merce Department estimate that imports of furniture -- primarily wooden -- grew by 45 percent in 1984, aided by strength in the U.S. dollar. Wooden furniture from Taiwan jumped 55 percent in 1984 to $587 million. And imports from Denmark climbed 52 percent to $170 mil­ lion in 1984. Also pressuring re­ tailers are an army of discounters advertising dramatically lower prices. Despite that pressure, Holman urges shoppers to be wary of the tradi­ tion of phony list prices in the business, keeping a sharp eye on the actu­ al selling price. "In spite of all the phony claims that are made in the industry, the markup is basically t h e s a m e f o r e a c h store," he said. Gener­ ally, full-service furni­ ture stores -- those of- f e r i n g d e l i v e r y , warranty and credit services -- have a markup of about 40 percent. The average net prof­ it in most stores is about 3.5 percent. "Fur­ niture is a real bar­ gain," Holman said. ^ " JUST LIFTED Cozy WATERFRONT cottage on a unique lot with carefree aluminum siding and IV) car garage Re sort living in your own backyard Won't last long at $87,000 REDUCED! Owners very anxious1 Possible ownerfinincing makes this home especially easy to buy This home has 4 bedrooms lull basement and garage along with a great mew ol the lake. Only ,f ISO,*00 BARGAIN OF THE WEEK 3 bedroom 2 full baths Family Room with Cal ifornia stone fireplace large yard. IVi car garage full basement AIL for the small price of $40,000 FAMILY HOME This friendly home is waiting lor the growing family 4 bedrooms I baths, family room, ill appliances, great yard for outdoor BBQ s 2 car garage, all this and more for $61,000 JTI Eraark fMfj • JViwTMrlnJ DiMtvVi UiiM 2313Joim*«r| Rnd 815-385-8821 815-344-1033 MEMBERS OF BOTH McHENBY A LAKE COUNTY MULTIPLE LISTINGS SERVICES! % -- "REPOSSESSED HOMES" F.H.A. & V.A. foreclosures - non-vets & investors welcomed. Low down payments. Present V. A. at ll1/*% interest-fixed-30 yrs. 1 point---call for more info. SHAMROCK REALTY 815-728 0424 "YEAR ROUND VACATION LIVING" Prestigious Area! 500' Off Lake - Private Beach Asking $41,900 )oms, Furnished & All 2-Bedrooms, Appliances, Central Heat, Car Port. EXCELLENT CONDITION" (SIS) 728-0876 ERA-ADVANTAGE REAL ESTATE 4507 W. ELM STREET, McHENRY 815-385-9394 JOURS: WEEKbAYS Mon. thru Fri. 9 a.m. • 8 p.m. • •••••••••••••••A'f • I • * • EXECUTIVE AREA Beautiful English Tudor on 1.5 acres 5 bedrooms 2W baths, stone fireplace, formal dining room central air. car attached garage Many, many extras $189,900 ***** HOUR! WEEKENOSI Sal. & Sun 9 a.m. • 6 p.m. • t"t W 6 A) * A * *•** 4 5 bedroom hillside ranch on H acre Master bedroom suite with connecting den or nursery Large family room with bar Home warfanty A must to see for only 176,500 COUNTRY SETTING Beautiful brick ranch on 1>« acres Build ers own home 3 bedroom 2 bath 2. car garage family room with custom fireplace new carpet Much much more for only {84.900 "BE YOUR OWN BOSS" Tavern Woodstock Turn key operation fully equipped Established over 35 years Great location In Town Business only Long term lease Only .. . .., $47,500 FOX RIDGE DELIGHT Just listed' This quad level Cambridge has everything for the active family Three to four bedrooms plus 3 baths and a gor geous yard It won t last long at $82,900 WORTHMORE ESTATES Immaculate 3 bedroom home Sunroom off :ountry kitchen Water rights on Lake Jen lyn to Fox River Nice home Nice area lLUunuy niiui'cn N$5S1lyn to Fo< HE "CEDAR I BRICK RAISED RANCH" with a magnificent view of rolling fields I praine 4 bedroom 14 bath 1 over 1900 sq ft Reduced to $64,900. Won't last "DON'T MISS" this one1 Over 1 400 so ft on city sewer and water close to beach park and tennis courts 3 bedrooms and family room Only $45, • Offices In: McHenry A Palatine ajKH a Member* Of: McHenry MLS i MAP MLS > #110 i#iniiw $45,900 r REALTY WORLD REALTY WORLD REALTY WORLD OURBIN STOVALL 4213 W. Elm Street McHenry (815)385*8060 $46,900 START REAPING THE benefits „ot .iwnng,youi own Hotoe Can today tor an'appomt ™ent to see this 1 bedroom home with ii'ge 1iv ing room country Mchen appliances and gar a|t $60,000 AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE A bustle Co'untiy sty'e living tai the veiling 'inii'ly llws newet thiee bed'oom iiised ijinh with family 100m central l" and ten; ed yai.d toi Ms and pets is iust the plat, e Call to" inoif mtoi mition $66,500 HOME IS SETTLfR'S WOODS. Walk to grade school HugHot lor children s play and best ol all allowable lor the {rowing tamily Seven 100ms and 1 V» bath In level $83,900 COUNTRY DELIGHT m* home has eneiythmg you could evei want Ihe kitchen has oak cabinets and is a cooks Jiram Ihe tamily ioom has a liieplice and cithedial ceiling plus a lull basement and moie $99,900 THE LIVING IS EASY * tim caied lor 3 4 bedroom house nestled in a quiet aiea Large country kitchen lor mom ollice area lor dad and plenty ol eitia spice lor the balance ol the gang Call today lor an appointment $142,500 ALL BRICK WATERFRONTI im. 3 bedioom ranch has 2 fireplaces lull basement and is located in beautiful Dutch Cieek tots ot ioom lor Ihe family that enioys summei and win tei activity CALL FOR FREE MARKET EVALUATION (815)385-8060 fti REALTY WORLD if i •'/ t' *• sol / * /*/* ' 4 " ' "* * i I Im -- w* norm front ifrivi In mciWfiry JE ^ri rlnrr ftii 4%UIamowu 4% A 99fvins mciMHiry vouiiiy IOF if imi P,iUDW • CRYSTAL LAKH • CAItY INCIHtSTHLTME... lo enioy your meals on the palio in the great yard that goes with this 3 bedroom 2 bath home this beautiful home is ready to move into has a separate family room and a woof) burning fireplace and so much more for 175,400 $79,400 •1S-3S8-70S0 FIRIT FLOOR CONDO Only ground level Condo on the mirket two large bedrooms IW balhs all applnnut very dean and cheerful" S46 00 a month ulil ity bril coveis it all' Greet living for only S3! 900 $30,000 0IS-308-70B0 COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS IEITI! that s what you II lind when you see this 4 bedroom 2 bath ranch While sitting in your dining room with its woodbuming fireplace you can see your very own above ground pool iust off the deck formal living ioom for entertain ing a full basement large country kitchen equipped with Ihe best m applicinces <11 (is tefully decorated to make all you guests feel warm and welcome See il for yourself 1105 500 $109,000 3IE0R00M WHItPCRMC OAKI RAIMENT A difficult combination to come by in beautiful Whispering Oaks Bui here it it' three luge bedrooms a huge basement i sepinle family ioom on the fimily floor with i California stone fireplace 4 first floor laundry room ind I r» In ing screened m sun room tot ol house for m >oo $00,000 010-300-7000 300-7030 WATERFRONT! Not too late to gel m on the fun' this, fui River «iterfwnt home cm be enjoyed yen round1 large 5 bedroom home is quite charm mg and wen maintained Really a three story home Great porch overlooking fht River ana with ?40G sq ft ot space you II agree that for tl 10 000 it is an exceptional vtlue" *110,000 01S-338-70SO QUICTLY TUCKED AW AT Mewiy decoreled targe l'i story home with i bedrooms is m outstanding buy' Itose to 'own and totted on i urge treed lot 7% car gir age Meet and sharp home for only HI 900 $47,000 010-300-7090 6REAT CAESAR'S 6N0ST 'Ok wont relieve <h,>, ? 100 vu 't of i>fng space in tins ? Mi Utodra w th acre lot1 his centrii »« and a f«eptece Need1. » iittie tiC but i» a great buy a' U'1 W) 0'ig nil buyer s tmencmg ten though jrer' p&rti/mty to tike advantige $00,000 9REEN TNUM9 SPECIAL the urge itfichea n*it*d greenhouse is i«st one of fhe th.ngs thit mike thit home specni t»>1 'hl'Wi «g two story hi'. J tied'OO"", 3 ntlr. a full finished basemen' , ftuced yard and i ,ew of the witerfrent Greet vefue for 1% 000 $79,000 019-309-7090 W n M E M B E R R E L O ^^^^WortdUedeMnRelocatton V