BAKER NEWS

October 2007
BAKER FURNITURE BRINGS GREAT DESIGN CLOSER TO HOME
Baker Opens Flagship Location in Downtown Chicago

CHICAGO (October 19, 2007) - Baker announces the opening of its twelfth retail store, Baker Chicago, at 825 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622. Serving the greater Chicago area, Baker Chicago will offer both end consumers and professionals a new way to experience the design, materials, and craftsmanship that are unmistakably Baker.

In an uncluttered, architecturally neutral setting with more than 12,600 square feet of presentation space, Baker will feature an edited assortment of its most fashion-forward collections. The result is three different levels of furniture, lighting, and accessories visually displayed in lifestyle categories. Professionally lit and artfully accessorized a customer can experience better furniture in a truly comprehensive setting.

With three lifestyles represented - Contemporary, Casual, and Traditional, - the scope of the display will rank among the largest retail presentations of Baker in this country. "From Laura Kirar to Thomas Pheasant to Bill Sofield and now Jacques Garcia, there will be no better showcase of the new looks from America's premier maker," observed Marta Szwaya, vice president - business development - Kohler Interiors. "Previously, our downtown retail customers simply haven't been exposed to things like our Lighting Gallery and our proprietary accessories. Together with an innovative new Resource Area and the many custom finish options available from Baker, Dapha, and McGuire, all of this promises to finally put the creative experience on the level of the brand."

For more than a century, that brand has represented the very best furniture made in America. Baker is unusual with its commitment to both the eye and the hand of great design. As a result, the company has earned success with both period reproductions, like the long running Stately Homes and Historic Charleston efforts, and its celebrated current work with the most prestigious modern designers of our own time.

The company expects the Chicago location to be an accessible regional shopping destination. As Rachel D. Kohler, group president - Kohler Interiors explained, "Chicago is a very affluent and quality focused city with tremendous support for architecture and the performing arts. This is a place where people have a passion for their home."

To make the experience convenient, a six person staff will allow for weekend and select evening hours. The staff will also offer basic color and floor planning assistance. Customers with more involved projects will be referred to one or more independent design professionals, who will be extended the same privileges they enjoy at a Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showroom location.

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.