MARIETTA, GA, February 2, 2012: Wools of New Zealand mill partners, Ascend Rugs and Rodeo Collection (a division of Stark Carpet Corp.), were hot spots for design trends at Surfaces 2012 in Las Vegas. Forty designers stopped at these booths during the Speed Trending Tour led by Victoria Redshaw, managing director at Scarlet Opus, a trend forecasting agency dedicated to the interiors sector.

Only eight exhibitors were chosen out of more than 500 for this tour. These eight were hand-picked by Redshaw as she felt they offered the most inspiring, forward-thinking and on-trend products at Surfaces 2012 and reflected the “what’s hot for 2012” design trends displayed in the Trends Hub at Surfaces.

“Being part of the Trending Tour provided extremely valuable exposure for Ascend and was an introduction to our brand for many of the designers,” says Ascend Rugs President John Grainger. “I think I handed out 50 business cards in about five minutes.”

The bright, uplifting colors of Ascend’s hand-made rugs linked perfectly with the dynamic, energetic, super-charged trend “Color Capital,” which was displayed in the Trends Hub.

“The summer of 2012 is all about pattern rhythms and color vibration, so Ascend’s Duet Collection was a must-see,” says Redshaw. “I was also delighted by the Textures of Nature Collection, using mixes of New Zealand wool, silk, chenille and bamboo to create designs based on the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand. The super-soft handle was emphasized by the range of chalky shades and clouded semi-precious stone tones, which fit beautifully with our “Ancient Times” trend displayed in the Trends Hub. I was also intrigued by the construction of the rugs in Ascend’s ExtraSoft range. They project a ‘whispered wow factor’ that answers many modern consumers’ desires for a pared-down interior styling that still has depth and character. Finally, I’m always excited to see companies in the flooring industry working toward greener manufacturing, materials and processes. So the Pure NZ Collection, made from four types of naturally colored fleeces, was a great addition to Ascend’s booth. Because no chemicals or dyestuffs are used to achieve the color combinations, it’s a product I passionately applaud.”

Rodeo President Carmen Saenz Murray says: “We were so honored to be chosen to be part of the Trending Tour. The visiting designers appeared to be very interested in our presentation, which primarily focused on our use of New Zealand wool and metallics for decorative purposes.”

Redshaw says: “It seems that many carpet companies operate at the safe, plain and beige end of the style spectrum. But Rodeo exhibits an appreciation, awareness and excitement for current design trends. I spotted Rodeo’s booth last year and was literally squealing at how gorgeous their products were. Also, their products fit particularly well with the “Emporium” trend we had displayed in the Trends Hub, which is all about sophisticated glamour that’s unapologetically ornate and sumptuous, but never ostentatious. Much of the trend is a fusion of influences from history's greatest empires: Byzantine, Roman, Egyptian and the captivating beauty of ancient queens and empresses. Basically, if Empress Theodora or Cleopatra were commissioning a carpet they’d commission Rodeo! ”

Both Rodeo and Ascend are licensed Wools of New Zealand partners. Wools of New Zealand is a premium brand identifying carpet and rug products that meet demanding quality standards and fiber content requirements. For more information on Wools of New Zealand, please visit us online at woolsnz.com.

To find out more about Ascend Rugs, visit the company online at ascend-rugs.com. For more information on Rodeo Collection, go to rodeocarpet.com.

For more information:

Wools of New Zealand
PO Box 669273
Marietta, GA 30066
770-977-1440
www.woolsnz.com