PRESS RELEASE

San Francisco (April 2008) For the first time, The McGuire Furniture Company, known for luxury dining, lounge and occasional furniture, has designed a collection specifically for the Kitchen. Transitional in approach, with an accommodating nature thoughtfully scaled to fit even the most intimate space, McGuire designed pieces that perform without sacrificing the quality and craftsmanship that have become the company's hallmark. McGuire chose from an organic range of materials including abaca, walnut, oak, water hyacinth and their signature rattan, creating sophisticated forms to address today's casual lifestyle.

Responding to a changing marketplace, these versatile designs will be available for purchase from the McGuire website early this summer. There will be a limited offering online-specific finishes and fabrics-to offer competitive pricing and timely shipping. A full range of custom finishes and COM will still be available through the showroom channel.

This collection is made up of 21 new pieces and includes 3 tables and 11 chairs and 7 counter stools. The designs are inspired by a variety of recognizable styles: Danish Modern, traditional Japanese and mid-century modern. These pieces also take advantage of their uncommon components to recall the organic nature of their raw materials, with shapes inspired by the tangle of jungle rattan, the solid trunk of an exotic tree, and the intricate pattern of sunlight on the forest floor. The result is a versatile mix of multipurpose, contemporary furniture that brings to the marketplace myriad options.

"This is a new direction for McGuire, and one which we think is very much in keeping with the modern lifestyle," commented Jason Phillips, President-McGuire. "The seating pieces are light and can be easily moved around the home. They bring a sense of style and grace wherever they are and are immensely functional and comfortable.

Because the kitchen is the social hub of today's home and comfortable, flexible seating always is in demand, this collection includes 7 counter stools, 11 chairs and 3 tables. Available in a wide range of styles, all are comfortable, versatile and eye-catching. Materials and shapes allow for easy mixing and matching among the collection, and the versatility in design makes the collection readily available to fit into a range of residential or commercial installations.

The woven pieces are composed of abaca, rattan core or water hyacinth, fast-growing, tree-like plants indigenous to the Philippines. Their abundance makes it an environmentally friendly choice for these designs. The fiber is prized for its exceptional strength and flexibility, wonderfully suited to McGuire.

The Japanese- inspired Curved Counter Stool is one example of the impeccable construction of a well-loved form. In keeping with Japanese tradition, this counter stool is constructed of oak or walnut wood solids with a strong mortise and tenon joinery. The tea stained finish of the abaca weave highlights the smoothness of the wood and the rich textures of the braided fiber. The curve of the stool cradles the body perfectly while the bowed footrest is a thoughtful design element that adds function and comfort and echoes the lines of the seat deck.

The use of the abaca also afforded the opportunity to create an upholstered seat without using fabric, an approach best illustrated by the Square Counter Stool. When the flexible abaca is expertly woven over the solid wooden seat deck and supported with high resiliency foam, it gives the feel of a supportive but soft upholstered seat. The end result is an easy, stylish stool that is comfortable, durable and low maintenance.

Three new tables were designed to add drama and style to a room, with solid round tops over metal bases of fluid, organic shapes. The Chaparral Table reflects this delicate balance: it has a sturdy, conical pedestal base made up of metal tendons woven together, inspired by the seemingly random manner in which rattan vines wind their way through the trees in the jungle. A smooth cream-colored circle of Staron® is firmly planted atop this unusual base, and the substance of the top provides an interesting counterpoint to the airy openness of its support.

The metal Heritage Pedestal Table is a thoughtful update to a classic McGuire rattan table. It has a base composed of metal posts that mimic rattan and is offered in three finishes: natural brass, natural bronze or polished nickel with leather bindings. Each option provides a handsome but distinctively different persona. It is a table with a traditional heritage with a novel design to give it a modern twist.

Cushions will come standard in 6 fabrics from McGuire's Headlands Collection, making ecommerce a viable strategy and the turnaround time to ship significantly shorter. All of the Headlands Collection fabrics have a remarkably soft hand and can be used both indoors and out. They are soil and mildew resistant and come with a three-year warranty against fading. Supplying COM is also an option for designers who want to customize the experience.

The pieces in this new collection present a fresh take on classic designs while building on the core McGuire aesthetics. From the artisan weaving techniques to the hand selected and custom finished wood and metal works, the designs carry on the McGuire tradition of crafting long-lasting, rare furnishings that are certain to transform their settings and beautifully meet the needs of today's discerning homeowners.