What's New with Hue?
January 1, 2003
Laura Kofoid, director of merchandising and new product development for Kohler’s Interior Group, which includes Baker and McGuire, is cautiously optimistic about the future given that housing starts remain strong and consumers are continuing to buy fine furniture as an investment. “Baker has been traditionally strongest in public spaces such as the living room and dining room and will continue forward with that strategy,” she says. “We believe the consumer will continue to spend money on rooms people can see. If they are scaling back on purchases, they are upgrading to special pieces, such as a new dining table and chairs. They are investing in extraordinary, beautiful, well-executed pieces.”
Kofoid also thinks that the obituary for the dining room is premature. “Baker sees strength in that area, and we believe there will be a backlash against informality,” she says. “We are not going back to the stuffy living room or dining room, but we think there will be more of an emphasis on ‘new traditional’—the latest buzzwords—with creative ways to make a dining table feel new by mixing woods and adding inlaid embellishments.”
Taking traditional forms and making them more relevant and relaxed
for today’s lifestyle is the focus of Baker’s Thomas Pheasant collection, which will be available this winter. “The mahogany pieces have a high sheen, but they are not precious,” says Kofoid. “This collection by one of the country’s top interior designers has a great classical sense, and consumers will be able to mix pieces with their current furniture and antiques.” Pheasant, who is based in Washington, D.C., is offering a pedestal dining table, tasseled bench, tufted side chair, bowfront china cabinet and other pieces in a sable, honey burl or antique crackle finish, as well as mirrors and lamps.
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