Sep 16, 2009

Cristina Saralegui and Midwest-CBK Debut Exclusive, New Casa Cristina™ Lighting Collection at Las Vegas Market

Cannon Falls, MN – Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer of CBK home accents and gifts, Colonial Candle home fragrance and candles, and Seasons of Cannon Falls holiday and seasonal gifts and décor, today introduces the new Casa Cristina™ Lighting Collection exclusively available from Midwest-CBK. The new collection will be unveiled and on display during the Fall 2009 Las Vegas Market, from September 14 through 17, 2009.

The new Casa Cristina Lighting Collection features more than 35 new and beautifully designed table, buffet and floor lamps from Emmy® award winning television journalist Cristina Saralegui, host and executive producer of the top rated “The Cristina Show” on Univision. The new lighting collection is the newest category in the rapidly growing Casa Cristina Home Accent Collection, coordinating beautifully with past and upcoming home décor designs. The launch of the new collection also marks the fifth anniversary of the Casa Cristina brand, and the 20th anniversary of her Emmy award-winning television program, “The Cristina Show.”

The new Casa Cristina Lighting Collection reflects Cristina’s unique style and taste, with looks ranging from Euro-Mediterranean to rustic traditional. All of the lamps feature hand-applied, multi-step finishes, many with intricate accents that combine the artistry of traditional Old World craftsmanship with updated style and sensibility for today’s home. The new lamps were designed to coordinate with Casa Cristina’s home accents collection by Midwest-CBK, and feature key suggested retail price points ranging from $60 to $200.

“Midwest-CBK is proud to partner with Cristina and expand on our wildly successful Casa Cristina collection to bring retailers an exquisite, new line of stylish and unique lamps. The addition of Casa Cristina Lighting in a full range of key price points to the popular Casa Cristina home décor and gift collections comprised of hundreds of items already in the line will broaden the retail sales potential for our customers,” says Frederic Contino, Midwest-CBK President. “Lighting is one of the hottest categories in this tough economy, and our new Casa Cristina Lighting collection provides more opportunities for increased sales as well as expansion of the Casa Cristina collection for retailers who already carry the popular line in their stores.”

“I am excited and proud to work with Midwest-CBK to bring my own personal style and vision to this new collection of lighting, and share these exquisite, hand-painted and hand-embossed lamps with retailers and families across the country,” says Saralegui. “My long-standing partnership with Midwest-CBK is an excellent example of how far we’ve come with the Casa Cristina brand, starting five years ago from a line of home accents to today’s range of multiple categories including tabletop, accents, garden, gift and now lighting.”

Saralegui’s Casa Cristina Collection of Home Furnishings debuted five years ago and is one of the nation’s fastest growing lines of home products. Her Casa Cristina collection features fifteen product categories including: furniture, lighting, home accessories as well as bedding and bath products. The Casa Cristina Collection was inspired by the style and décor of Cristina’s own Miami home along with the artistry and memories of her childhood.

About Cristina Saralegui Twelve–time Emmy® award winning Cristina is one of the most recognizable and trusted names in the Hispanic community. Time Magazine selected her as one of the “25 Most Influential Hispanics in America” and Home Furnishings News (HFN) Magazine named her one of the “50 Most Influential People in Design and Home Furnishings.” Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, “The Cristina Show” is still one of the highest-rated programs on Spanish-language television. The show airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. (ET) on the Univision Network. Cristina also owns her own production studio – Blue Dolphin Studios – and has a bilingual website, www.cristinaonline.com. Her Casa Cristina™ collection features fifteen product categories including furniture, lighting, mattresses, home accessories, kitchen textiles as well as bedding and bath products.

About Midwest-CBK Midwest-CBK sparkles as a national leader in home décor, gifts, holiday and seasonal home décor, and candles and home fragrance. Through our three popular wholesale brands, CBK, Colonial Candle and Seasons of Cannon Falls, we bring independent retailers unique product designs, award-winning display ideas, innovative merchandising programs, outstanding customer service, and an experienced and enthusiastic sales team. Please call 800-776-2075 or visit www.mwcbk.com for more information or to locate a showroom near you.