Made in America: Usry Family's Dallas Home Refitted With American-Made Goods
Family learns what a house looks like when filled with American-made products.
DALLAS, March 2, 2011— -- Anna and Jon Usry of Dallas and their children Landon and Ellis thought that at least half the products in their home were made in the U.S.A.
"Whenever we have a viable option, we would love to buy American," Jon Usry said.
But after they agreed to let ABC News' movers empty their home of imported products, the family returned to a nearly empty home -- the bedroom, kitchen and living room all were stripped bare. The only items left included the kitchen sink and a lone vase filled with hydrangeas.
"We have nothing left," Anna Usry said. "No bed, no rug, no sheets, no pillows."
The family spent the night in an empty home, but what would a house look like when furnished with American-made goods? What can you buy American-made today? And what's the cost?
Sometimes forgotten is the fact that the United States remains the world's largest producer of manufactured goods. Among the 11 million Americans working in factories, plenty are making products for the home.
Companies from all across the U.S. lent their American-made goods for our showcase, and ABC paid to deliver the products to the Usrys' home. Six delivery trucks showed up on Snow White Drive bearing goods manufactured everywhere from Mississippi to New York to Virginia.
Click Here to Explore the Usry's American-Made Home in an Interactive Photo Tour.
When the Usrys returned to their home, they discovered that there are plenty of American-made alternatives for home products and, in some cases, they are available at roughly the same cost as imported equivalents.
Arriving in the home, the family opened their eyes and saw all of the new products.
"Our American-made room!" exclaimed Anna Usry. "Wow, this looks great!"
In the living room, new couches were delivered from North Carolina's Lee Industries. A carpet on the floor was created in Georgia by Mohawk Rugs. The mirror on the wall came from Missouri.
"This looks fabulous. And if anything, I think we've upgraded in style," Jon Usry said.
Many of the goods didn't exactly come cheap. The lamp was $250, and the coffee table cost $1,500.
Not everything could even be replaced.
The Usrys found their Panasonic flat screen television replaced by a painting from a local Dallas artist. If an exception hadn't been made, the house would have been dark because light bulbs no longer are manufactured domestically.
The high-end appliances are considered among the best anywhere in the world, and customers pay a premium for them.
But the kitchen also included items that can be bought at prices competitive with imports. Anchor Hocking, for example, manufactures everything from measuring cups to drinking glasses, all made in the United States.
In the master bedroom, the Usrys' old furniture was replaced with a bed, dresser, nightstand and chest from Vaughan-Bassett, made in the U.S. The furniture also was cheaper than the Usrys' old bedroom furniture.
"Oh, my gosh," exclaimed Jon Usry upon seeing the new bedroom.
But you don't have to take his word for it. You can explore the Usry's home and see details on each American-made product by clicking here.
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