Chicago, IL – September 17, 2007 - - Laid back, yet undeniably sophisticated, the casual lifestyle portrayed in today’s home décor trends offers an accessible, virtually universal appeal. From screened-in porches to outdoor verandas, modern decorators are personalizing all parts of the home to build a warm, inviting look that transforms bland spaces into alluring alcoves. As one of the first companies to manufacture floorcovering fashions for casual living enthusiasts, Couristan is proud to introduce the next wave of versatile, upscale designs that look perfectly at home in outdoor or indoor living areas. Since launching its award-winning outdoor/indoor area rug collection - Recife - in 2003, the company has made a concerted investment in growing the category by innovating new weather-resistant patterns that provide a distinctive, stylized aesthetic and will last throughout the seasons.

Editor’s Note: Please visit our booth located in the Chicago Merchandise Mart, Booth 9078-A on the 7th floor, during the Casual Furniture and Accessories Market to see Couristan’s latest outdoor/indoor designs, including:

FIVE SEASONS® COLLECTION (Rug Shown - 3078/5293 – Cape May/Cream-Sky Blue)  

Enhancing the durable flatweave of traditional outdoor/indoor area rugs, the new structured flatweave in the Five Seasons® Collection adds dimension, depth, texture and color to each of its captivating designs. Varying motifs inspired by the relaxed, casual atmosphere of special places like lazy beach towns and rustic mountain getaways, Five Seasons® infuses a tranquil feel in any room-setting. Power-loomed of 100% heat-set Courtron™ polypropylene, each of the dynamic patterns offer a highly durable, dense pile construction that affords superior comfort and fuss-free maintenance. Designed specifically to withstand outdoor elements, Five Seasons® is mold and mildew resistant, as well as UV stabilized to ensure each color, from cool to warm tones, retains its vibrancy even after months of exposure to the sun and other weather conditions. Replicating nature’s eclectic mix of inspiring colors and forms, Five Seasons® provides an infinite range of style options wherever it is showcased, from casual to transitional indoor living areas and outdoor spaces in need of some spicing up. Five Seasons® is stocked in the following unfringed sizes: 1’3” x 2’3”, 1’11” x 3’7”, 3’6” x 5’5”, 5’3” x 7’6”, 5’9” x 9’2”, 7’6” x 10’9” Rectangles; as well as 2’3” x 7’10” and 2’3” x 11’9” Runners.

Suggested Retail Price 5’3” x 7’6”: $109.00

RECIFE COLLECTION  (Rug Shown - 1514/0121 – Zebra/Black-Cocoa)

Distinctively crafted to complement the simple yet classic styling of outdoor furniture, uniquely colored to make stone entryways and patio decks more welcoming, Couristan is proud to expand its popular outdoor/ indoor area rug collection, Recife. Power-loomed of 100% fiber-enhanced Courtron™ polypropylene, this all-weather, pet-friendly, mold and mildew resistant area rug collection features a durable, structured flatwoven construction making it superbly suitable for outdoor and indoor use. Each of the new design introductions have an organic feel, with nature-inspired motifs such as tropical ferns and zebra stripes constructed in neutral tones of Cocoa, Chocolate Brown and Black. Hosting a wide range of sizes including runners and special shapes in the form of rounds and squares, the Recife Collection has been designed to offer the perfect outdoor floorcovering solution for any home. Recife is stocked in the following unfringed sizes: 1’11” x 3’7”, 3’9” x 5’5”, 5’3” x 7’6”, 5’9” x 9’2”, 7’6” x 10’9”, 8’6” x 13’ Rectangles; 2’3” x 7’10” and 2’3” x 11’9” Runners; and 7’6” and 8’6” Rounds/Squares.

Suggested Retail Price 5’3” x 7’6”: $99.00

In addition to these specially designed outdoor/indoor area rugs, Couristan also offers several other 100% polypropylene collections which can be customized with a polypropylene weft making them suitable for use both inside and outside the home.

EVEREST COLLECTION

Created from 100% heat-set Courtron™ polypropylene, the Everest Collection offers a super-dense weave and a soft, plush finish in a diverse array of rich, fashion-oriented looks. The collection's thick power-loomed pile offers one million points of yarn per square meter, achieving ultra-fine detail and the "heaviness" of a handmade area rug. With a balance of casual-contemporary artistry and a luminous palette of colors that includes Terra-Cotta, Sage, Cognac, Coral and Sea Spray, Everest area rugs are a beautiful addition to sophisticated outdoor entertainment spaces. Its soothing styles, ranging from geometric blocks to traditional European patterns, are truly statement-making pieces that will bring a luxurious, refined feel to any location. The Everest Collection is stocked in the following unfringed sizes: 2’ x 3’11”, 3’11” x 5’3”, 5’3” x 7’6”, 7’10” x 11’2”, 9’10” x 13’2” Rectangles; a 2’7” x 7’10” Runner; 3'11", 5'3" and 7'10" Octagons/Rounds/Squares; and a 1'5'' x 3' Wedge.

Suggested Retail Price 5’3” x 7’6”: $279.00

CHARISMA COLLECTION

Calming colors and simple, timeless designs enliven the fields of each pattern featured in the Charisma Collection. The soft hues and subtle, tone-on-tone designs featured in this power-loomed area rug collection have been designed to provide any transitional or contemporary setting with subtle elegance. Woven of the finest 100% heat-set Courtron™ polypropylene, for superior comfort and long-lasting appearance retention, Charisma features one million points per square meter in its dense, lush pile. Each area rug in this collection has been woven using a unique two-ply, over-twist yarn, resulting in enhanced texture and a radiant shine. Charisma is stocked in the following unfringed sizes: 2' x 3'11", 3'11" x 5'3", 5'3" x 7'6", 7'10" x 11'2", 9'10" x 13'2" and a 2'7" x 7'10" Runner.

Suggested Retail Price 5'3" x 7'6": $299.00

Couristan’s wide assortment of outdoor/indoor area rug and residential broadloom designs will be on display during the Casual Furniture and Accessories Market, September 17th through September 21st, booth 9078A on the 7th floor With Couristan’s fashions, the casual lifestyle gets an updated, refreshed look that is effortless, authentic…and simply serene.

Established by the Couri family in 1926, Couristan is the trusted name in the floorcovering industry, offering a vast assortment of exclusively designed power-loomed and handmade area rugs, as well as quality residential broadloom. Couristan is also known throughout the industry as the pioneer in new construction and color techniques, which are used to create exquisitely designed area rugs and residential broadloom products that are crafted from all over the world. Couristan products are available through department stores, home furnishings catalogs, specialty floorcovering and furniture retail stores. Couristan’s global headquarters with full showroom is located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at Two Executive Drive, 800.233.6186, or visit our website at www.couristan.com.