Baker Furniture : Why is it So Expensive? Video!
In this video, we discuss the ins and outs of Baker Furniture. We discuss the history of Baker Furniture, and reminisce about some vintage Baker Furniture collections.
Watch our Baker furniture video.
Is Baker Furniture good quality?
Yes, Baker Furniture shows all of the elements of fine furniture. For one, Baker uses high end materials, like fine hardwoods. In fact, most of Baker’s pieces are made of walnut, cherry, oak and mahogany. Additionally, the craftspeople at Baker add delicate veneers on many different lines of furniture.
As far as construction, Baker employs several age-old furniture making techniques. Nearly all of Baker dressers feature dovetail construction. Many Baker chests have pin and mortise joinery.
Also, Baker’s upholstery departments use high quality foams. Furthermore, their fabrics are top notch. And, the frame inside a Baker sofa or Baker chair likely features a hardwood construction.
Finally, all of the glass inside Baker china cabinets features a glazing technique. So, instead of one piece of glass with any decorative overlay on top, each piece of glass is carefully fitted inside. Additionally, any glass shelves inside Baker cabinets feature thick glass up to half an inch thick.
So, you can be sure that a Baker piece demonstrates great quality!
Why is Baker Furniture so expensive?
Now that we have covered some of the features of Baker Furniture, you still may wonder why it is so expensive.
After all, many Baker chests can be quite pricey (over $5000, MSRP). Meanwhile Baker China Cabinets can cost as much as the mid to high six figures. As far as Baker sofas, you can expect to spend a few thousand dollars before any custom options.
Baker Furniture is expensive because quality furniture takes fine materials, and skilled labor.
Baker manufacturing feature several different departments. Of course, each person who works at Baker has to learn the skills and procedures of that department. And, there is a lot to know regarding each stage of building a fine piece of furniture.
Additionally, Baker has a high dollar product because of its reputation and fine designs. Almost all of Baker’s collections feature historically researched designs. Antique furniture pieces that represent a particular period are carefully studied by the design team at Baker. Then, they work to adapt these designs to something useful and beautiful for today’s homes.
For instance, Baker Furniture Company was chosen in the 1990s to work with Colonial Williamsburg. So, in other words, Baker had the sole license to reproduce some of our nation’s finest pieces. Like Kittinger Furniture before them, Baker led the Colonial Williamsburg line with pride. While this partnership only lasted a few years, Baker Colonial Williamsburg pieces still show incredible quality and beauty.
Vintage Baker Furniture
Because of the price of Baker Furniture, many people opt to purchase vintage Baker pieces for their homes. After all, you can find some really well-priced Baker pieces on the market today.
Today, many people who are familiar with the brand go first to online antique store to shop around. Of course, savvy shoppers may turn to these different outlets to find vintage Baker furniture:
- eBay for Auctions and Vintage Furniture sellers
- Chairish, a more regulated furniture and décor marketplace
- Fine Local Consignment Shops
- 1st Dibs, Ruby Lane and other Specialty Online Marketplaces
However, that said, you still must expect to pay for used furniture by Baker. Vintage Baker Furniture Dining chairs still run between $200 and $400 a piece at the normal rate. Indeed, you may still find some vintage Baker dining chairs for $500 to $600 a piece depending on the collection and condition.
Baker Furniture vintage wing chairs or accent chairs can run between $300 and $2000 a piece. Sometimes, you may find a Milling Road chair for much less. However, the Stately Homes Collection and the Charleston Collection have a high resale value today. So, really, you cannot expect to find cheap used furniture by Baker.
In fact, the two discontinued collections by Baker mentioned above, tend to have very high selling prices. The Stately Homes Collection features finely inlaid sideboards, buffets and cabinets. Of course, the Stately Homes Collection has mostly a Federal or Georgian look. In fact, many of the pieces in the collection were primarily inspired by 18th Century English antiques. However, some of the pieces were also inspired by furniture originally commissioned by aristocrats and royalty of the 17th century.
Baker Charleston Collection
Of course, the Charleston Collection by Baker shows similar elegance. Because Charleston had been known to be such a sophisticated Colonial city, it has a rich history. Of course, this spills over to the fine architecture and antiques in Charleston, South Carolina.
Mostly, the collection features fine inlaid tables, beautiful Federal style china cabinets and stunning vintage Baker dining chairs. The refined style of Charleston and its hospitable feeling is evoked in the warm mahogany and satin inlay of the Charleston furniture by Baker.
However, there is a timelessness and also a versatility in the Charleston Collection by Baker. Certainly, you do not have to live in the Holy City to bring the elegance home. In fact, the Baker Charleston collection pieces would work in any traditionally decorated or historic home. Simply place a pair of vintage Baker furniture end tables in a fine living room, or add a Baker sideboard to a spacious dining room. You surely will not be disappointed with your choices.
As you might have guessed, a portion of the proceeds of the sale of this collection goes to the Charleston Preservation Society. Obviously, Baker believes in preserving the unique history and architecture of the American South and the gem of the city, Charleston.