As the first owners began restorations in my 1910 apartment house (c. 1978),
I did a crude but thorough finishes analysis, which was pretty clear all
around:  mahogany doors (with painted casing) in the principal rooms, oak in
the service areas, but - above all - painted finishes in the parlor,
especially with its elaborate (gas) fireplace and mantel.

Notwithstanding that, there were legions who spent hours stripping the
compo-plaster ornament of the fireplace surrounds, indignant that the "real
wood" didn't come out, and sure that it was just theirs that was defective.

Signed,  Enibal Melc