While in Italy for Milan Design Week recently, we were invited to a rather special dinner at the Palazzo Durini di Monza, alongside over 100 architects and designers from across the globe. The event, graciously hosted by furniture brand Baker and kitchen and bath manufacturer Kohler, celebrated the launch of a new collection from Baker’s Milling Road brand, the first furniture range designed by Chicago-based interior designer, Kara Mann.
Milling Road’s Kara Mann collection consists of 54 statement pieces including the Brute Sofa (which, having tested it out after a long day exploring Milan, I can confirm is very comfortable!). Kara Mann is the first in a series of guest designers who will be collaborating with Baker to lend their creativity to the new Milling Road portfolio.
“The inspiration for this collection came from our research into Baker’s archive,” she says. “We combined that heritage with my own background in design, art and fashion to create a furniture collection that is infused with both modern edge and relaxed glamour. I want customers to feel inspired to transform their everyday living spaces into refined and impactful interiors.”
“The definition of luxury is evolving,” says Gregory Heller, Vice President of Product Marketing, Development and Visual Display for Baker. “Luxury is not merely a price point, but encapsulates an authentic experience melding the finer elements of service, attention to detail, craftsmanship and personalization. Baker is embarking on a new path with Milling Road that delivers on this fresh and stylish approach. Collaborating with dynamic designers like Kara Mann continues our long-standing history of partnerships with design icons. Her fashion-forward collection brings a relaxed, yet refined approach that appeals to buyers looking to create vibrant and sophisticated living spaces.”
The Kara Mann Collection for Milling Road is part of Baker’s strategy to evolve in response to the changing home furnishing landscape, while staying true to their heritage of design, craftsmanship and attention to detail. The collection is intended to offer customers well-designed home accessories and furniture at more accessible price points, enabling a wider audience to define their own design aesthetic using a combination of statement pieces and everyday objects. 100 fabric options, 30 of which are specific to the Kara Mann collection, enable customers to customize their furniture to fit their own schemes.
Special thanks to Kohler for partnering with Design Milk during Milan Design Week 2016.