Karastan debuts first printed rugs
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 27, 2003
Atlanta — Karastan Rug & Home introduced its first printed rugs at this month's rug market here, a major move for the company that became part of the Mohawk Home division last fall.
The look, construction and price points signal a new, more youthful direction at Karastan, said Bill Storey, senior vice president and general manager.
"We've got the brand," he said. "We want to take advantage of it by appealing to a broader customer base with a wider range of products. We are developing fresh looks that today's younger consumers are looking for."
Mystical Zebra and Majestic Leopard are animal prints that will retail in the $300 to $400 range in a 6 by 9. The rugs are engineered from injection-dyed nylon carpet made by Durkan, Karastan's sister company in Mohawk Inds.
Storey stressed the new print products represent extremely high quality. "Although we are introducing new items in moderate price points, we still want to be the top of the line in quality and design," he said.
Two other Karastan introductions featured patterned broadloom made into rugs. French Check and Manchester Plaid are Kara-Loc woven and will retail at about $500 to $600 in a 6 by 9. A deep, thick shag retailing at about $399 was another broadloom-into-rug introduction. They are available for immediate delivery.
