BAKER INTRODUCES STRIKING NEW SIGNATURE LIGHTING TO THE COLLECTOR'S EDITION


CHICAGO (October 16, 2006) - Complementing its successful Collector's Edition furniture collection, Baker introduced a series of exquisite, bench-crafted lighting at the Fall 2006 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. Illuminated works of art, these exclusive pieces make up a selection that includes six striking chandeliers, pendant lamps, and hanging lanterns; two elegant sconces; and nine exceptional table and floor lamps. The Baker designs are crafted by artisans using Old World techniques. The new fixtures offer styles ranging from dramatic and eye-catching to sleek and refined. These lamps often gracefully incorporate motifs derived from nature and employ a sophisticated Asian sensibility in its economy of line and form.

"The elegant, distinctive designs are well-executed, enduring pieces that partner beautifully with Baker furnishings" commented Bradshaw Orrell, lead casegoods designer, Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. "The craftsmanship is impeccable, employing techniques that are rarely practiced anymore. The end result is a collection of truly extraordinary pieces that will be enjoyed for generations."

Orrell's designs were inspired by archetypal forms, such as the turn-of-the-century French bistro lamp or the classic hurricane lantern, but ingenious twists on these enduring shapes render the lighting fresh and distinctive. Many of the lights make use of distressed materials, such as tarnished nickel or aged pewter, to give a sense of tradition and history. Hand-blown glass imparts an amber glow that lends warmth to a setting as it illuminates it, and multiple facets of glass cultivate the light, producing the look of a sparkling jewel.

Included among this inimitable line of lighting is the lovely Giles French Leaf Chandelier. Inspired by French Provencal pieces from the 18th century, this weathered pewter design displays two rings of delicate leaves that have been hand-cut, crimped and hammered in a traditional fashion. A broad lower crown of leaves surrounds a candelabra of six candle lights and is connected by a linked chain to a smaller circle of leaves at the top. The simplicity of design and the touch of whimsy in the leaf motif give this chandelier an airy, spirited personality.

The Tatiana Scalloped Pendant Lamp takes its historical cues from traditional Venetian designs of the 1600s. Its graceful interlocking gilt metal frame is lined with semi-translucent antiqued milk glass that casts a golden light. The glass has been hand-blown and “slumped” or super-heated in a kiln to take the shape of a mold, in the same manner of the early Italian artisans who originated the technique. When the light shines through the aged luminous glass, it can warm a whole room, and that radiance gives the Tatiana its rare charm and buoyant personality.

For pure drama, the Parker Webbed Sconce is an obvious choice. Inspired by French forms from the 1930s, this striking spider web motif is frequently seen in Neo-Classic designs. For the Parker Sconce, the slim brass lines that form the delicate pattern have been plated in oxidized nickel, giving it the look of an unexpected treasure found at a Paris flea market. The strands of the simplified web are connected through translucent antique mirror panels that catch the light and reflect back a transformed gleam. The outer frame converges on a central convex mercury glass mirror that displays a single candle light. The three-dimensional effect is eye-catching and wholly original.

The clean, modern silhouette of the Randolph Painted Landscape Accent Lamp is transformed into an artistic showpiece through its use of chinoiserie themes that recall painstakingly hand-painted 18th century wallpaper. Rendered in a palette of cool blues and greens, a romantic vision of a foreign landscape decorates the base while antique brass details illuminate the base and top. The rectangular shape of the shade echoes the base and is composed entirely of antique brass. Through its use of simple lines, superior materials and stunning artwork, this lamp, like the others in the new Collector's Edition of lighting for Baker, is original and arresting.

Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. includes Baker furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms, and Baker Stores. Along with McGuire Furniture Company, Ann Sacks tile, stone and plumbing company and Kallista plumbing, 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, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf destinations.