Calhoun, GA, December, 2008 — Mannington Commercial is searching for the most promising rising talent in design who will compete to win the creation of their own carpet collection plus a $7,500 cash prize. Launching December 1, tx:style is a design challenge for certified architects and designers with no more than seven years professional experience, and it uses the favorite tool of their generation—the internet—in a unique online interface with voters who will decide the top honors.

"tx:style was born from the successful collaboration Mannington Commercial had this past year with 25-year-old Kaitlin Phelps, which yielded the fashion-forward and stylish Adorn collection," said Natalie Jones, Vice President, Commercial Brand Development and Creative Product. "We realized there is a whole new crop of untested talent who are bursting with fresh ideas and thinking, and who, like Kaitlin, deserve a showcase for their work. We created tx:style to help bring these promising stars into the spotlight and acknowledge their future potential."

According to Jones, while online competitions are nothing new these days, tx:style utilizes the concept of a social networking Web site to encourage the entire A+D community not only to vote, but also offer their own comments and opinions on the submissions. "The A+D community is at the heart of our business and with the limitless reach of the World Wide Web, we believe tx:style will be the most exciting and effective way to involve them in the design process."

Via a dedicated online portal, www.manningtoncommercial.com/txstyle, contestants will have until February 6 to upload their design ideas for a new commercial carpet pattern. They'll be invited to submit, as well, accompanying visuals and personal written statements that help articulate what inspired and fueled their concepts. Online voting to determine five tx:style finalists will be conducted through February 15. Then, these top five designers will attend a weekend seminar at Mannington's Calhoun, GA, headquarters, where they will have the opportunity to work with the experts, tweaking and refining the product samples that the company will develop based on their submissions.

In late April, photos of the actual product samples will be posted to the Web site, where Mannington will once again rely on the design community to vote for its top choice. Additionally, at NeoCon 2009, the samples will be on view in the Mannington Commercial showroom, and voting will continue through the first day of the show, with the tx:style grand prize winner announced the following day, June 16, at a showroom reception honoring all of the finalists. In addition to presenting the grand prize award, each finalist will receive $3,000.

To enter Mannington Commercial's tx:style competition, or to view the submissions and cast your vote, visit www.manningtoncommercial.com/txstyle.

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About Mannington Commerical
Mannington Commercial has distinguished itself as one of North America's premier manufacturers of high quality floor covering designs encompassing both soft and hard surfaces. Its deep range of choices in both categories is unparalleled. A leading voice in sustainability, the company is relentless in pursuing innovative measures to improve closing the recycling loop—reducing the waste streams from the manufacturing process while reusing waste materials. For more information visit www.manningtoncommercial.com.

Contact:
Esther Perman/ Nicole Janok
Veeder+Perman, 212-966-3759

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