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MDW16: Baker Brings Kara Mann’s Milling Road Collection to Milan

05.04.16 | By
MDW16: Baker Brings Kara Mann’s Milling Road Collection to Milan

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.

Band Dresser

Band Dresser

Plinth Side Table

Plinth Side Table

“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.”

Edge cocktail table

Edge cocktail table

“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.”

Halo side table

Halo side table

Sling Chair

Sling Chair

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.

Steady lounge chair

Steady lounge chair

Beau Lounge Chair

Beau Lounge Chair

Bar Cocktail Table

Bar Cocktail Table

Bar Cocktail Table detail

Bar Cocktail Table detail

Edge cocktail table

Edge cocktail table

Straight Up Sideboard

Straight Up Sideboard

Cane Armchair and Side Chair

Cane Armchair and Side Chair

Special thanks to Kohler for partnering with Design Milk during Milan Design Week 2016.

Katie Treggiden is a purpose-driven journalist, author and, podcaster championing a circular approach to design – because Planet Earth needs better stories. She is also the founder and director of Making Design Circular, a program and membership community for designer-makers who want to join the circular economy. With 20 years' experience in the creative industries, she regularly contributes to publications such as The Guardian, Crafts Magazine and Monocle24 – as well as being Editor at Large for Design Milk. She is currently exploring the question ‘can craft save the world?’ through an emerging body of work that includes her fifth book, Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure (Ludion, 2020), and a podcast, Circular with Katie Treggiden.