Exhibit 99(a)


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



     In  connection  with the annual report of Furniture  Brands  International,
Inc. (the  "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending  December 31, 2002
as filed with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on the date hereof (the
"Report"), I, W. G. Holliman,  Chief Executive Officer of the Company,  certify,
pursuant  to 18  U.S.C.  ss.  1350,  as  adopted  pursuant  to  ss.  906  of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  The Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company. of the Company.



                                   /s/  W. G. Holliman, Jr.
                                  ------------------------------------------
                                   W. G. Holliman
                                   Title:  Chief Executive Officer
                                   Furniture Brands International, Inc.
                                   March 25, 2003