For Immediate Release s354

Karastan’s Upbeat Nylon Collections Reflect Mood of High Point Market

DALTON, GA, November 1, 2011New styles and colors in Karastan’s highly popular nylon collections—Knightsen and Carmel—drew attention at the upbeat High Point Market, held October 22-27 in High Point, NC. Karastan moved into a new showroom for the fall market on the third floor of the International Home Furnishings Center (H309). The floor covering manufacturer was pleased with the traffic at the new location and the opportunity to meet new buyers from furniture stores and high-end furnishings stores. “The mood of the market was generally upbeat,” said Steve Roan, president of Karastan Rugs. “People are looking for new and creative ways to drive business, and the conversations focused on ‘what to do’ rather than ‘what has happened in the past’. Karastan has always looked to the future, and we plan to carry the momentum from this market into 2012 with continued expansion of our popular nylon collections, a preview of new Axminster products and a new Wilton wool collection, plus a few surprises.” This year Karastan has emphasized its American roots, which began with Marshall Field and continue to this day in its Eden, NC, manufacturing plant, which was opened in 1928. Made in America was a theme of the High Point Market and is an industry marketing strategy that is finding a foothold with dealers. “Karastan has been and will continue to be primarily a made in America line,” Roan said. “We may supplement some designer looks that are not available from our production bank, but these would always be complementary to our predominantly domestic product line.” Immediate Release from Karastan: Karastan at High Point Page 2

New looks that buyers saw in High Point, all of which are woven on Wilton looms of premium 2- ply nylon in the USA, include:  Traditional patterns in today’s colors. Karastan introduced four new durable and easy- to-clean styles in the Knightsen Collection. They featured palmettes, rosettes and curvilinear vines; distinctive borders; and popular shades like mysterious gray, brilliant red, caramel, gold, coral, purple and accents in spice, lime green and aqua. New rugs included Walnut Park Red and Prewett Ranch Fog.  Dramatic motifs in decorator-friendly fashion-inspired colors. Karastan’s Carmel Collection, a product line that appeals to young consumers with its diverse selection of floral motifs, sophisticated graphic patterns and modern damasks, debuted four rugs. Styles ranged from a patchwork of traditional Persian floral elements to a Regency inspired fret pattern to lush philodendron leaves on a solid ivory field. The palettes in Carmel’s new rugs are earthy (chocolate brown, caramel, paprika, beige, ivory, and green) with a fair bit of this season’s popular gray. Monte Vista Fog is one of the new Carmel rugs.

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Karastan’s Prewett Ranch Fog from the Knightsen Collection combines a gray primary border with a beige field of palmettes and vines for a modern traditional look.

Rich earth tones and foggy gray swirl in a patchwork of overlapping flowers, vines, trellises, and borders in Monte Vista Fog from Karastan’s Carmel Collection.

Karastan is part of Mohawk Industries, a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk offers a complete selection of broadloom carpet, ceramic tile, wood, stone, laminate, vinyl, rugs and other home products. These products are marketed under the premier brands in the industry, which, in addition to Karastan, include Mohawk, Ralph Lauren, Lees, Bigelow, Dal-Tile and American Olean. Mohawk’s unique merchandising and marketing assists consumers in creating their dreams. Mohawk provides a premium level of service with its own trucking fleet and more than 250 local distribution locations.

Karastan: 508 East Morris Street, Dalton, GA 30721 | www.karastan.com | 800-845-8877 See us at: Atlanta Rug Market (AmericasMart 3-A-1), Las Vegas Market (World Market Center C-312) and High Point Market (IHFC H309) Press Contact: Sherry Roberts | 952-322-4005 | [email protected]