B. Smith and Clayton Marcus Announce Groundbreaking Deal

Furniture World Magazine

Clayton Marcus, a division of the La-Z-Boy Corporation, and B. Smith, television host, restaurateur and lifestyle maven, announced a new deal to create a B. Smith-inspired furniture collection. Ms. Smith, whose successful B. Smith with Style® Home Collection is sold exclusively at BED BATH & BEYOND® stores nationwide and is a national spokesperson for General Mills’ Betty Crocker and Pillsbury brands, Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever’s Lawry’s seasonings, is recognized as an American style icon across vast consumer segments. Her new Clayton Marcus collection, slated to be introduced at the International Home Furnishing Market in March 2007, is a first for the home furnishing industry. Never before has an African American woman presented her own furniture collection. “I am excited to be working with Clayton Marcus to design my first collection of furniture,” says Ms. Smith. “As the premiere manufacturer of upholstered furniture, together, we’re going to create a line we believe consumers will welcome into their homes.” Mac McCall, president of Clayton Marcus, says, “This will be a tremendous addition to our ever-expanding presentation of fresh and exciting consumer products. Over the past two years, Clayton Marcus has taken several new style directions and the addition of B. Smith will compliment those efforts.” B. Smith knows style whether it’s on a fashion runway, in a restaurant or in the comfort of your home. The former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire, is widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual but elegant living. For nearly a decade, B. Smith has hosted the nationally syndicated and cable television show “B. Smith with Style,” and has authored books on style and entertaining. She has also showcased her creative ideas during appearances on programs including “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Today,” “The View,” “Fox & Friends” and numerous local market newscasts. The upcoming B. Smith upholstery collection will include multiple upholstery styles ranging from traditional to transitional, in addition to coordinating occasional tables. Taking inspiration from the décor of her own homes, Ms. Smith’s plans include a cottage style group reminiscent of her Sag Harbor retreat, a cosmopolitan-inspired grouping modeled after her Central Park South home, and a global group drawn from the period that she resided abroad while working as a model. “We are happy to be able to draw upon B.’s sense of style in developing this new collection. Given B.’s recognition among fashion-forward consumers, we are confident this collaboration will result in furniture that consumers will want to have in their homes,” noted McCall. For more information about Clayton Marcus, please contact Karin Cook at 828.495.2301 or Karin.cook@claytonmarcus.com. For more information about B. Smith, please contact Kathy King at 202.466.1396 or kathy@westinrinehart.com. About La-Z-Boy Incorporated La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world’s leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group companies are Bauhaus, Centurion, England, La-Z-Boy and Sam Moore. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid, Lea, Clayton Marcus and Pennsylvania House. About B. Smith Enterprises A former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire, B. Smith is widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual but elegant living. For nearly a decade, she has hosted the lifestyle television show “B. Smith with Style,” while also operating three restaurants in New York, Washington, D.C. and Sag Harbor. This year, her flagship New York restaurant, located in the Times Square Theater District, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Her signature line of linens, home fashions and serveware B. Smith with Style® Home Collection is available exclusively at BED BATH & BEYOND® stores nationwide. The author of two books on entertaining, Smith has been featured on the cover of 20 magazines and is currently the spokesperson for General Mills Betty Crocker Cornbread and Muffin mix, Pillsbury Grands, Unilever’s Lawry’s seasonings and Colgate Palmolive Oxy plus dishwashing products.