(VENICE, CA)- The Natural Carpet Company is pleased to announce their collaboration with Roger Thomas, one of the premier hospitality designers and the genius behind the incomparable Wynn Las Vegas. Combining Mr. Thomas’ inspired aptitude for the arts and the finest natural materials, his distinctive collection will be unveiled at the Surfaces 2008 trade show (booth # 4938) at The Sands Expo & Convention Center on January 30 to February 1, and then again, at the Hospitality Design Expo 2008 (booth # 4929), from May 14 to May 17 also at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.

Indulging in his love for the fiber arts, Roger Thomas has created simple dramatic statements in silk, wool, abaca and raffia. The collection includes Hand-Knotted Tibetan Carpets and Rugs, Hand-Woven Natural Fiber Carpets and Rugs and Jacquard Machine-Woven Abaca Carpets, Rugs, Wall Coverings and Ceiling Coverings. A weaver himself, Mr. Thomas possesses extensive knowledge of textile construction and lends his creativity to the specialized weavings The Natural Carpet Company is known for.

“My designs for this collection are based on inspirations from my travels which focus on the experience of art, architecture and decorative arts throughout the world and on the exploration of the history and circumstance of their creation.” Mr. Thomas goes on to say, “These are my passions and the designs have been named for these favorite places and things.” The Hand-Knotted Tibetan Collection includes design names such as; Barbaro, Barozzi, Bois de Bologne, Bruneleschi, Buenos Aires, Capello, Cuernevaca, Dentil, Giardini, Laurelton, London, Mocenigo, The Orders, Tuileries and Versailles Balustrade, each inspired by specific moments, places or things.

Working together for over 15 years, The Natural Carpet Company’s relationship with the Wynn organization eventually led to the collaboration with Roger Thomas after years of proven success as a “high-performance supplier”, delivering what they promise on time, in budget and often under demanding circumstances. “The opportunity to work with Roger Thomas is an absolute honor.” says Norman Marks, President of The Natural Carpet Company, “Our collaboration is an on-going process and the collection will continue to grow as it evolves and expands. “

A recognized leader in the hospitality industry for his interior design, Mr. Thomas is Executive Vice President Design for Wynn Resorts. He is responsible for the design of Wynn Las Vegas, the five star, five diamond resort on the Las Vegas Strip, directed the design of Wynn Macau with Hirsch Bedner, Los Angeles, and is currently working on Encore at Wynn Las Vegas.

As Executive Vice President Design for Atlandia Design, a Mirage Resorts subsidiary, he was responsible for Bellagio, Treasure Island, the Mirage and the Golden Nugget resorts in Las Vegas, as well as the corporate aircraft and personal residences of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wynn.

Mr. Thomas was elected to the Hospitality Design Platinum Circle in 2005 and received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality in the same year. In 2007 Mr. Thomas was listed in Architectural Digest’s AD 100. He serves as a Trustee of DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) as well as a Trustee for the Las Vegas Art Museum. Mr. Thomas is also the founder of the Bank of America Nevada Fine Art Collection, the largest art collection in a financial institution in Nevada.

The Natural Carpet Company is committed to the environment. The products offered by The Natural Carpet Company are CRI ( Carpet & Rug Institute) Certified Green Label Plus. Norman Marks began his company as The Intex Group in 1989, an importer and distributor of a myriad of floor covering products both natural and synthetic. In the early nineties The Intex Group began producing natural Abaca carpet & rugs with great success. In 1998 Mr. Marks decided to focus on natural materials that were sustainable, renewable and biodegradable, thereby forming The Natural Carpet Company, a specialist in textiles made from Abaca fiber. Abaca is Mother Nature’s strongest plant fiber, as its tensile strength actually increases when wet.

Abaca fiber is used in making currency paper, Bible paper, marine rope, tea bags, coffee filters, sausage casings, automotive interior paneling and a host of other uses including handicrafts such as baskets, slippers, hats, bags and thousands of items. Abaca rugs and carpets are the finest in the world. The Natural Carpet Company also provides livelihoods in developing countries to those who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. Abaca fiber is almost exclusively plantation grown and does not ravage forests. An abaca tree is harvested in less than one and a half years. “Roger’s unique collections of Abaca carpets, rugs, walls and ceiling coverings truly exemplify timeless elegance,” exclaims Marks proudly, "Roger innovated the use of our Abaca carpet as a unique ceiling covering at Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Macau, and continues to inspire designers worldwide with his distinctively original use of the Abaca carpet on walls and ceilings."

The Natural Carpet Company has earned an excellent reputation in the hospitality industry by enjoying on-going relationships with companies such as; Hirsch Bedner Associates, Gensler & Associates, Wilson & Associates, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Four Seasons and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, to name a few. “Top interior design firms and hotel ownerships of the world are propelling us globally each and every day” states Mr. Marks, “as luxury resort development continues to expand throughout the World. The demand for natural and organic products is rapidly on the rise in all segments of the market. The public is consciously demanding natural and environmentally-friendly products”.

Founded in 1998, The Natural Carpet Company is a leader in producing natural, sustainable, biodegradable and renewable carpets, rugs, wall/ceiling coverings, fabrics, unique textures and accessories. Renowned for their sophisticated, hand-woven products of Abaca, Raffia. Seagrass, Wool, Hemp and Silk, The Natural Carpet Company is committed to the highest quality luxury products imaginable. The Natural Carpet Company showroom is located at 2014 Lincoln Blvd., Venice California, 90291 USA, telephone 310.664.1420. For more information please visit their website www.naturalcarpetcompany.com .