06/11/2012 | Press release

MOTHER NATURE GOES URBAN IN NEW INTERFACE GLOBAL COLLECTION

distributed by noodls on 06/11/2012 13:22

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U.S. Media Contacts:

Esther Perman, estherp@vpcpartners.com, 212.966.3759 x. 207

Steve Arbaugh, steve.arbaugh@interface.com, 800.336.0225 x. 5028

Canadian Media Contacts:

Esther Perman, estherp@vpcpartners.com, 212.966.3759 x. 207

Pamela Mason, pamela.mason@interface.com 416.504.8100, x. 2211

MOTHER NATURE GOES URBAN

IN NEW INTERFACE GLOBAL COLLECTION

CHICAGO, Ill.-JUNE 11, 2012- Urban Retreat™, the new carpet tile collection launched today by Interface, explores man's connection with natural elements and the intersection of nature and manmade materials. The collection merges seemingly opposite worlds that inspire beautiful, coexisting and functional design in interior spaces. With NeoCon as a backdrop, Urban Retreat marks Interface's launch of a new global product line, soon to be available on six continents around the world.
"Our objective is to help customers create design spaces and help them realize their visions. With Urban Retreat, we are incorporating even more potential for purpose- driven design around the world," said Maria Davlantes, SVP and CMO of Interface, Inc. "In addition to breathtaking beauty and supporting sustainability objectives like high recycled content, the new collection appreciates how all of us are 'wired' to connect with the natural
world."
The new collection reflects a worldview that includes nature as an appreciated source and reminder of true inspiration. Urban Retreat's nine styles are sorted into pattern studies ranging from refined textures to broad organic forms, all offered in a complementary color palette. Eight colorways include earthy neutrals and lush greens that reference lichen, grass, ivy and moss, informed by an emerging area of science called "biophilia."
Interface's lead designer David Oakey linked the Urban Retreat product collection, in part, to biophilia and to related global trends. "Research shows that the percentage of people who prefer living in urban environments has risen significantly. This is supported
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MOTHER NATURE GOES URBAN

IN NEW INTERFACE GLOBAL COLLECTION

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by the increasing numbers of individuals and businesses who have migrated to the hearts of cities in recent years," Oakey said. "As our cities are invigorated, we are seeing more evidence of biophilia. Urban Retreat builds on this trend by offering a series of designs inspired by the natural world."
Man's attraction, happiness and comfort from connecting with nature are a product of biological evolution, according to biophilia. Today, flora, fauna and other forms of nature have been integrated into exterior and interior spaces such as railways, rooftops, warehouses, skyscrapers and offices. A recent study called "The Economics of Biophilia," conducted by Terrapin Bright Green, points out the financial benefits of biophilic design.
By introducing nature into urban environments, biophilia helps support benefits such as improved workplace productivity, well-being, healing, stress reduction and more. Bringing the Outside In
Grouped into three categories - Urban Retreat One, Two and Three - the styles explore manmade creations that make room for nature, like concrete giving way to grass and the deeply carved character of an old tree set against the architecture of a manmade
grid.
Urban Retreat One explores the contrasts of modern cities; sharp and blurred, classic and futuristic, eclectic and austere. When grouped together, UR101, UR102 and UR103 create the look of moss growing on stone, with veins of green running across the floor and blending subtly on either edge into a neutral ground for a soft somber effect.
Urban Retreat Two combines the orderly and the organic in an exquisitely restrained palette, with references as diverse as modernist architecture and ancient tree bark. In fact, bark is recreated to incredible effect in UR201, utilizing Interface's advances in tufting to create a carved, weathered design with shifts in height and texture that are at once edgy and ethereal. The grouping shares a neutral color palette with Urban Retreat Three, which offers tone-on-tone textural complements to Urban Retreat One and Two. Patterns that call to mind soft, smooth French limestone and shimmering linen create subtle, elegant contrast.
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MOTHER NATURE GOES URBAN

IN NEW INTERFACE GLOBAL COLLECTION

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Minding Sustainability

The collection's reverence for the natural world is evident below the face of the tile as well. Urban Retreat exemplifies Interface's abiding Mission Zero promise to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment by 2020. Urban Retreat contains up to 81 percent recycled content including 100 percent recycled content fiber and high recycled content backing. Content yarn is derived from salvaged fishing nets with reclaimed carpet fiber processed within Interface's ReEntry network. Since 1995, the ReEntry program has processed more than 253 million pounds of used carpet tile and broadloom globally. Multinational and local customers will have access to the same products with efficient regional manufacturing. Products are manufactured within continental North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to serve regional markets.
Urban Retreat will debut at NeoCon 2012, in the company's Chicago Merchandise Mart showroom, #10-121. Urban Retreat will then roll out throughout other parts of the world, including in Australia during August at Saturday in Design; and in Europe during September at Maison & Objet and in October at Orgatec. Visit Interface.com for more information.

About Interface

Interface, Inc. is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial carpet tile. For 39 years, the company has consistently led the industry through innovation and now leads the industry in environmental sustainability. Interface is setting the pace for development of modular carpet using materials and processes that take less from the environment, and is well along the path to "Mission Zero®," the company's promise to eliminate any negative impact it has on the environment by the year 2020. Interface's worldwide carpet manufacturing facilities maintain third party registration to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard, and the company obtained the first- ever Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the commercial floor covering industry in North America. The company is recognized globally for its commitment to build environmental considerations into its business decisions. For additional information: www.interface.com, www.interfaceflorblog.com.

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