Exhibit 99.a
                                                         August 5, 1996


For Immediate Release


                          MASCO CORPORATION COMPLETES
                        SALE OF HOME FURNISHINGS GROUP


      Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) reported today that it has completed the
previously announced sale of MASCO'S Home Furnishings Group to FURNISHINGS
INTERNATIONAL INC.

      FURNISHINGS INTERNATIONAL'S investors include 399 Venture Partners,
certain members of FURNISHINGS INTERNATIONAL'S management, MASCO CORPORATION
and certain affiliates of Travelers Group, Inc. The Chase Manhattan
Corporation arranged $825 million of debt financing for the acquisition.

      Total proceeds to MASCO from the sale are in excess of $1.0 billion with
approximately $710 million of the purchase price in cash.  The balance
consists of junior debt securities, preferred stock and 15 percent of the
common stock of FURNISHINGS INTERNATIONAL.  In addition, MASCO received
certain transferable rights to acquire additional equity in FURNISHINGS
INTERNATIONAL.

      MASCO Chairman Richard A. Manoogian commented, "The divestiture allows
us to better focus on our traditional home improvement and building products
businesses which have historically achieved outstanding operating performance. 
At the same time, the structure of the transaction allows us to participate,
through ownership of FURNISHINGS INTERNATIONAL'S common stock and transferable
rights, in the future growth and profitability of these fine companies.

      "We acquired the leadership companies comprising the Home Furnishings
Group over the last 10 years and have melded them into the finest group of
home furnishings companies in the world.  We are pleased that this excellent
group of companies has been acquired as a single entity, a transaction
benefiting both MASCO and the employees and customers of the Home Furnishings
Group," Manoogian said.

      MASCO CORPORATION is one of the world's leading manufacturers of home
improvement and building products.  The Company's well-known brands include
Delta and Peerless faucets, Merillat, KraftMaid and StarMark cabinets, Baldwin
hardware, Weiser locks, Thermador appliances and Watkins Hot Springs spas.