A new line of home furnishings from the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Collection for the Home, debuts this fall in retail stores nationwide. The collection, which features furniture, lighting, home décor and accessory products, is inspired by the rich holdings of the Smithsonian's museums, libraries and archives. A portion of the proceeds will support the chartered educational mission of the Institution.

The Smithsonian has collaborated with leading manufacturers in the home furnishings market to create this branded collection. "We are committed to creating a distinctive home collection that creatively blends timeless traditional designs and time-honored craftsmanship with high quality furnishings for today's home lifestyle," said Peter Reid, director of Consumer Products Licensing. "We are excited to be working with such a strong group of companies that are committed to high quality, value and excellence in the creation of this collection."

Bernhardt Furniture Company, which has been crafting fine furniture since 1889, has created the Institution's distinctive furniture line. The Smithsonian Collection by Bernhardt features bedroom and dining room collections that are inspired by 19th-century American design, with Edwardian and Empire influences, and accompanied by an eclectic mix of occasional pieces.

Leading decorative lighting fixture and lamp manufacturer Kichler Lighting is offering three prestigious lighting families that reference artifacts from the Institution's collections, while appealing to today's styles. The lighting collection, known as the Smithsonian Collection by Kichler Lighting, offers more than 60 historically inspired fixtures.

Castilian Trading Inc., a leading company in quality home décor accents, has introduced a new line of skillfully designed porcelain, crystal, glass, wood, silver and brass products that stresses a blend of innovation and tradition.

Atrium Foliage, designer and manufacturer of distinctive permanent botanical arrangements, drew inspiration from the Smithsonian's vast collection of award winning orchids, colorful gardens and archival resource materials to produce a branded line of permanent botanicals.

Hand-crafted sink innovator Linkasink is offering an artisan-crafted sink collection influenced by the designs, patterns, textures and colors of museum artifacts. Each sink is individually made using methods that are in keeping with the work of artisans dating back as far as the 14th century.

Pilgrim Home and Hearth, leader in quality crafted fireplace accessories for more than 50 years, has launched a line of hearth accessories that is forged in solid steel and focuses on the authentic look of the historic American hearth.

Advantage Millwork, manufacturer of distinctive, hand-crafted doors, has introduced the Smithsonian Collection by Creative Entries. This high-quality line of home entry doors, sidelights and transoms provides the opportunity for the consumer to reconnect with the heritage of fine wood craftsmanship.

The Smithsonian brand is ranked No. 1 for quality among all brands in the Harris 2003 EquiTrend Brand Study and holds a 94 percent brand recognition among adult Americans. In addition to its world-renowned museums and research facilities, the Institution's for-profit business activities include Smithsonian and Air and Space magazines; 29 museum stores; the mail-order gift catalog; restaurant businesses; three IMAX theaters; and all licensing and media enterprises of the Smithsonian, including Smithsonian Channel and adult and student travel.

About Smithsonian
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. All except two of the museums are located in Washington metropolitan area: Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian are located in New York City. There are more than 6,000 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists and more than 5,000 volunteers. More than 23 million people from around the world visited the museums and the National Zoo in 2006; there were nearly 150 million visits to www.smithsonian.org. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 137 million, including more than 126 million specimens and artifacts at the National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian collections are the basis for research, exhibitions and public programs in the arts, history and culture, and the sciences.

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