October 2003
Baker Presents The Stately Homes of Ireland and England

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (October 16, 2003) - Baker unveiled its latest designs for its prestigious Stately Homes collection at the Fall 2003 International Home Furnishings Market. Searching out the finest furnishings from the private homes of some of Ireland and England's earliest and most revered families, Baker brings to its Stately Homes collection 27 original designs with pieces for the living room, dining room, and a selection of occasional designs and upholstered pieces.

The prestigious additions from Europe's royal castles and country estates are hand-selected by Sir Humphry Wakefield, Baronet and owner of the 800-year-old Chillingham Castle, and foremost authority on English antiques. Through Baker's relationship with Sir Humphry Wakefield, and its ability to craft pieces employing the elements of Old World craftsmanship, Stately Homes has continued its commercial success with a vast collection of unique, inspired designs since its debut in 1980.

Under the watchful eye of Sir Humphry Wakefield, Baker toured the homes of Irish and English aristocracy to procure a wealth of classic designs. Additionally, Sir Humphry Wakefield personally chose pieces from the extraordinary breadth of antiques found in his personal collection at Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, England, to round out the illustrious offerings.

Hearkening from centuries past, each piece is rendered true to its original with few exceptions, such as choice of wood species, or elements of function to better accommodate the lifestyles of the 21st century. Rich veneers of mahogany, rosewood, and satinwood, are adorned with ebonized, gilded, and brass accents, gold tooling, and a host of extraordinary carved details.

"These latest pieces are primarily from the royal estates of Ireland, renowned for its ornate decoration and carving," said Daniel R. Bradley, president - Baker Knapp & Tubbs. "What is remarkable is how relevant these pieces remain given today's very different lifestyles and spatial needs. Past craftsmen had to be intuitive to the expectations of its aristocratic clientele. The forms not only had to speak to the regal surroundings and royal benefactors, but also fill the rooms with a vast assortment of wood and upholstered pieces that were functional and practical. This thoughtful approach to furnishings translates beautifully to 21st century consumers, giving Baker the ability to showcase its rare and exacting talent with pieces that are competitive in this ever evolving marketplace."

Baker's master finisher, John Kiryanoff, created individual finishes for each of the pieces to draw upon the original's remarkable shadings and rich nuance of the individually selected woods. Slight distressing lends a distinct character to these pieces, while painstaking, hand rubbing achieves the warm, mellowed appeal found in a treasured antique. Additional finishes include an ebonized paint, which is hand applied, then rubbed through to reflect the original design's soft, worn shading, and a glazed Rouge Lacquer lending dimension and depth.

An extraordinary example of Baker's Old World craftsmanship and eye for detail is found in an Irish baroque carved mahogany bench from Slane Castle, the residence of the Earl of Mount Charles in County Meath, Ireland. Its rectangular seat frame is tightly upholstered and decorated with an elegant bead of antique brass, nail head trim. The ribbed cabriole legs are carved at the knees with grotesque masks and scrolls and terminate to bold, hairy paw feet.

Baker also introduced an elaborate breakfast table in the Regency style, completely finished in an exquisite display of Santos Rosewood veneers and gilt detail. The circular top is surrounded by a gilt line and rests above a frieze decorated with a running bead of gilt molding. Supported by a sweeping, octagonal baluster-shaped pedestal, its faceted design is outlined at the base with a gilt bead. The table rests on four, finely chiseled feet carved in lion's paws set with scroll supports and finished with gilded accents.

Two elegant upholstered forms hail from Ireland's fabled Guinness family. The first is an exposed mahogany reeded wood framed settee. This sophisticated piece is 72 inches in length with a tight upholstered back, sleek tuxedo style arms and turned and reeded front legs capped with antique brass casters. Its deep, 23-inch seat is fitted with three, loose Baker Crown Ultra Soft cushions that rest above a reeded base and flanked with two 20-inch toss pillows.

Baker also acquired an elaborate wing chair design from the Guinness family residence in Dublin, Ireland. Smaller scaled than standard wing chair styles of this period, the Guinness Chair is crafted from mahogany and decorated with a carved fretwork design on the seat rail and surrounding sides and back. The tight upholstered back has a slight pitch that cradles and supports the back. The generous rolled arms carry down to straight front legs, elegantly fitted with brass casters and joined to the fretwork base with a pierced trefoil design.

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

Kohler Co. was founded in 1873. Headquartered in Kohler, Wis., it is one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in the United States.