KIMBALL HOME INTRODUCES SOLID PINE COLLECTION

Furniture World Magazine

Kimball Home Furniture will introduce thirty new dining, bedroom and occasional designs in solid pine at the October 1997 International Home Furnishings Market (IHFC Main Building, Space M731). Pine Mountain is the latest addition to Kimball's new line of solid wood residential furniture. The first two groups, Cherry Falls and Oak Meadow, were introduced in April. Designed by Ron Stilwell of Stilwell & Associates, Lenoir, NC, Pine Mountain is priced in the middle- to upper-middle range. Like the rest of the Kimball Home line, it was developed to meet consumer priorities revealed in recent research-functionality, versatility and extra storage space. "Pine Mountain is eclectic and multi-functional," says Stilwell. "Pieces may work together in a decorating scheme, or they may stand alone. For instance, the weight and sparkle of the Curiosity Cabinet is at home in the dining room, family room, foyer-anywhere you want to display your treasures." He describes Pine Mountain's styling as "refined casual country." Details like antiqued brass rope hardware, octagonal bun feet and raised panel doors give the collection a subtle Mediterranean flavor. Other unifying elements include chamfered corners and turned wood drawer pulls. Overall, the collection has a clean, substantial, contemporized country look adorned with a few unexpected twists. For example, several items are distinguished by graceful scrollwork; others feature touches of wrought iron. Pine Mountain is enhanced with a light amber finish which has been heavily burnished, antiqued and distressed. "This furniture is designed to the standards of the latest consumer research," Stilwell explains. "Function and value come first. Take our Spicebox Console, for instance. It looks like one of those lovely old 18th century spice chests, but the twelve drawer fronts actually create the face of three drawers. It's practical-that's what consumers really want." Kimball Home Furniture is a division of Kimball International. The Kimball name has been primarily associated with the bedroom line "Traditions," and the Victorian and French furniture of Kimball Reproductions. The creation of Kimball Home's Pine Mountain, Cherry Falls and Oak Meadow collections represents a new marketing approach for the company. "Put the consumer in the product development loop and everybody wins," says Kimball Home sales manager Paul Wahl. "We've built our entire line on this philosophy. Our solid wood collections give retailers what they need to help their customers create the perfect home. Pine Mountain should be a very profitable building block."