Thanks mlp924.... One of the sets we are considering is Vaughan-Bassett. I'm in Buffalo though, and unfortunately we don't have a lot of the same stores, nor is there a furniture 'district' up here like Rt. 110.
I just found this article (as you can see I'm busy at work today
![]()
). I thought it might help those who are shopping. I'm going to print this and take it with me so that I know what I'm looking at...
Labels
Guidelines for the home furnishings industry, which were established by the Federal Trade Commission, indicate that any tags and labels are to be written so consumers easily can understand them. Tags and labels are to be removed only by the consumer.
If all exposed surfaces are constructed of a specific solid wood, the piece may be labeled with the name of the wood (e.g. solid maple, solid Honduras mahogany). If the piece is made with more than one type of solid wood the label should read: 'selected hardwoods' or 'selected softwoods birch and other selected hardwoods cherry and maple' or 'solid cherry and solid maple'; or 'solid maple top and fronts.' If two specific woods are identified, the first one named is the dominant wood in the piece.
Labels for veneered furniture are to be done similarly. If veneer and solids are made of the same material, one of these methods is acceptable: 'walnut solids and veneers'; 'walnut-veneered construction.' If a mix of woods has been used, labels might read: 'teak veneers and hackberry solids'; 'cherry veneers and solid hardwoods.'
When manufactured wood products are used in furniture construction, the label merely may specify 'wood products,' or it may use the name of the material: 'chipcore,' 'particle board,' 'hardboard.'
When wood names are used to describe the color of a stain finish, grain design or other simulated finish applied to the exposed surfaces of furniture made of something other than the wood named, labels must clearly describe what the term is being used for. Cherry finish is not adequate. 'Cherry stain finish,' 'walnut color,' 'oak finish on ash veneer' and 'mahogany-grained plastic' all are acceptable.
Mahogany comes in many varieties. The term mahogany alone refers to the varieties of mahogany from the West Indies or Tropical Americas. The mahoganies may be prefixed by their place of origin: Costa Rican Mahogany, Honduras Mahogany. Mahogany of the genus Khaya must be prefixed by the term 'African.'
Philippine mahogany is not a true mahogany. It refers to seven non-mahogany woods and is only usable because of the length of time over which the term has been used. Those seven woods include: Bagtikan, Tanguile, Red or White Luan, Almon, Tiaong, and Mayapis. Labels for these products using the term mahogany must be prefixed by the word 'Philippine.'
Only black maple or sugar maple may be referred to using these terms: maple, hard maple, rock maple, birds-eye maple, Northern maple or Salem maple.
When exposed furniture surfaces or parts are made of metal or plastic that looks like wood, labels must clearly say so: oak-grained (metal/plastic) top; solid cherry top with (metal/plastic) front and sides; walnut-grained (steel/molded plastic) bookcase; imitation wood; simulated oak finish on (metal/plastic); and (metal/plastic) simulating wood.
