April 2005
BAKER INTRODUCES NEW PIECES TO THE JACQUES GARCIA COLLECTION

"I have not tried to recreate a moment in history. I have quite simply thought of the kinds of furniture we want to live with at home today, pieces that are elegant and functional, comfortable and convivial."
- Jacques Garcia

CHICAGO (April 14, 2005) - Following one of the most successful national and international launches in the history of Baker, the company unveiled new pieces to The Jacques Garcia Collection at the Spring 2005 International Home Furnishings Market. The designs by internationally renowned designer, Jacques Garcia, include furniture and upholstery for the living room, dining room, and bedroom. Drawing from his love for 17th, 18th, and 19th century design, the pieces perfectly complement the collection's earlier forms and speak to Garcia's remarkable talent and expertise.

The pieces reflect many aspects of Garcia's personal and commercial successes and his lifelong pursuit of collecting and preserving the art of French design. The forms are symbolic of the cultural influences that have made a lasting impression on Garcia. There is a timeless modernism and spirited sophistication that carries throughout the collection line.

Each of the impeccably rendered forms are primarily from mahogany or cherry solids and decorated in mahogany, cherry, and oak burl veneers. The pieces are finished in Chateau, a honeyed light brown and Rivoli, a deep, rich brown, both designed specifically for The Jacques Garcia Collection. The collection's signature hardware designs from the original collection are also brought back for an encore. The Turkish Knot and Tassel Pull are crafted using the lost wax casting process to capture the fine details of these intricate designs, while an elaborate Leaf Motif forged from solid brass, creates a heft and presence to the pieces it adorns.

Garcia has become a global force in design with commercial and residential projects in France, Beirut, Baden Baden, Geneva, Monaco, Brussels and the United States. His most recent accomplishments include the highly acclaimed Spice Market and V Steakhouse restaurants in New York, and the chic Hotel Victor, located in Miami at its famed South Beach, its long-anticipated opening heralded in the pages of numerous national and regional publications. Each carries the distinctive mark of Garcia, with exotic, expressive décor, signature vibrant colors and luxurious appointments.

The depth and breadth of his projects speaks to his rare talent, singular style and creative genius. His work has been immortalized in four literary works and innumerable publications over the years. "This was one of the most challenging collections we have brought to Market," said Jay Paschall, director - product development and merchandising, Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. "Garcia chose each element with great care and looked to Baker to provide the same time-honored techniques and fine craftsmanship employed for hundreds of years by European artisans. Baker was certainly up to the challenge and welcomed the chance to employ its talent and craftsmanship, honed over the company's 115 year legacy."

One example is an elegant lamp table, 30 inches in height, and offered in either of the collection's signature finishes. Rendered from cherry solids and oak burl veneers, its deep tones are gently complemented by touches of gilt. The round top is finished in oak burl veneers, with its unique, non-directional composition giving it an easy character to be positioned anywhere in a room. The top is slightly elevated above the legs for an illusionary, hovering effect. The table's four carved legs terminate to carved, slightly turned feet. The legs are joined by a single, lower stretcher that wraps around each of the legs and is centered with a round medallion finished in oak burl veneer.

In addition to the casegoods, Baker unveiled new upholstery to The Jacques Garcia Collection. The designs complement the earlier upholstered forms, broadening the collection with one sofa, three lounge chairs, and one complementing ottomans.

A heady contradiction of sophisticated tailoring and inviting comfort continue to be prevalent in these latest designs by Garcia. Crisp forms are achieved using the French upholstery technique of gainage, characterized by wrapping leather or fabric tightly to the frame to create sleek, defined silhouettes. Matched with gentle scrolled arms, deep, generous seat cushions and draped with Garcia's half-full pillows give a soft sumptuousness to the forms. The forms are offered in the warm honeyed tones of Chateau or the deep, rich Rivoli.

"The designs are classic Garcia, traditional pieces with a sophisticated timelessness contrasted by the remarkable comfort Baker is renowned for in its upholstered pieces," said Jennifer McConnell, manager - upholstery design, Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc.

The distinctive Exposed Wood Lounge Chair is an engaging form that marries French elegance with sublime comfort. The tight upholstered frame has a sleek roll that carries around the back, created by employing the French gainage technique of wrapping fabric or leather tightly to the frame. The high back stands above the knife-edged back pillow and is flanked by gently curved and rolled arms. The arms' wood inset is surrounded by a double roll upholstered design, a signature Garcia element used in many of his upholstery forms. The four-inch, gently crested seat cushion rests above an exposed wood base that surrounds the chair's sides and back. The carved octagonal front legs are accentuated by a carved bead detail and matched with slightly tapered saber back legs.

Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. includes Baker furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms, and Baker Stores. Along with McGuire Furniture Company and Ann Sacks tile, stone and plumbing company, it is part of the Kohler Interiors Group and wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath designs.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, home interiors, and hospitality services.