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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BWpyJZV2m3Ojw9lsqppeS6lfJI6OpRSvGt5WlR/UgaZeYL5daQOloKGo4ITC8+wZ
 Nh3hwxnQyF80ko+8YS2VFw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-010645.txt : 20080527
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-010645.hdr.sgml : 20080526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080527135138
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-010645
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080527
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080527
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080527

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000050957
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE [2510]
		IRS NUMBER:				430337683
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 S HANLEY RD STE 1900
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3148631100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 SOUTH HANLEY RD
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	INTERNATIONAL SHOE CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690313

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCHWARTZ ALAN G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216249

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00091
		FILM NUMBER:		08860211

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		YALE LAW SCHOOL
		STREET 2:		127 WALL ST
		CITY:			NEW HAVEN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06520
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000050957</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FBN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216249</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHWARTZ ALAN G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 MUMFORD ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW HAVEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06515</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Alan G. Schwartz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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