Progressions

Fort Lee, NJ – February 7, 2005 -- Architectural Digest stepped up again this year to sponsor the America's Magnificent Carpets Awards, the gala event and awards ceremony that closes the January Atlanta International Area Rug Market. Jeff Petterson, associate publisher of Architectural Digest, said his magazine was thrilled to continue its relationship with AmericasMart for this awards presentation. "What the rug industry contributes to the world is extremely important," Petterson said. "Not just the jobs it creates,but the amount of beauty it allows people to bring into their homes. Tonight is a celebration of the beauty that you create as an industry."

This year, the rugs to be judged were displayed throughout the market in the Museum of Introductions created on the fourth floor of AmericasMart's Building 1, home to the rug market. More than 60 companies competed this year for awards in both handmade and power-loomed categories, as well as for in-showroom displays. Former CNN correspondent Lynne Russell assisted AmericasMart President Chaz Sidney in presenting the night's awards.

The Subdivisions design, from Couristan's popular hand-crafted collection, Progressions, received an award for the category of best handmade area rug in the price range of $0 to $12 (per square foot) . The popular design was chosen by a panel of judges for its affordability, strong palette, unique texture and its ability to be utilized in both a casual and elegant room-setting. Brilliantly designed in a composition of modern geometric patterns, Progressions offers another decorating solution to the floors of the most cherished, eclectic environments in the home. Hand-crafted of 80% semi-worsted New Zealand Wool for comfort and durability and 20% acrylic to accentuate the collections’ carefully selected contemporary-chic color palette, these modern day treasures for the floor can easily be adaptable to a variety of room-settings. Each intricate design element in Progressions’ choice of three innovative area rugs, offers an embossed appearance and allows the collection to bring a special interest to rooms in need of a dramatic accent.

Established by the Couri family in 1926, Couristan is the trusted name in the floor covering industry, offering a vast assortment of exclusively designed power-loomed and handmade area rugs, as well as quality residential broadloom, and is recognized as the pre-eminent designer and supplier of exquisite custom contract carpeting for the hospitality industry. 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 crafted from all over the world. Couristan products are available through department stores, specialty floor covering and furniture retail stores. Couristan’s global headquarters with full showroom is located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at Two Executive Drive, 1-800-223-6186