The Rug Market America will unveil a new licensed area rug collection by renowned designer Mark Abrams at this month's High Point Market.

"We're very excited to be working with Mark on this new collection," said Michael Shabtai, The Rug Market founder and president. "The beauty of Mark is that he is an extremely talented merchandiser. He truly understands what's going on in the market and has a good eye for pulling it all together in a line that turns well at retail."

Abrams is a 20-year design and merchandising veteran, with a career that has included product development and showroom/retail floor design. His rug collection with The Rug Market follows three recent introductions to the home decor market. The first, in spring 2006, was an extensive permanent botanicals collection for Trees International. The second, released last fall in High Point, was a line of accent furniture, decorative accessories and lighting from Oriental Accent. Most recently, wall decor producer Paragon debuted a collection of about 50 licensed SKUs at the summer markets earlier this year.

Mark Abrams for The Rug Market America represents a continuation of the creative themes the designer introduced this year across categories. Irving Park, the first of the two design themes, is inspired by the classic lines, colors and textures found in America's grand estates and homes. Irving Park products reflect formal beauty, while capturing the very best of traditional styling and design. Adventure Series, the second design theme, evokes imagery, colors and patterns connected to the world traveler. Adventure Series products draw from the best of the world's grand and diverse destinations — whether a remote Arican safari, a breath-taking Paris tour or American back road experiences — and translates them into furnishing and accessory items suitable for today's lifestyles and homes.

Mark Abrams for the Rug Market will initially offer eight designs in standard rectangular sizes, with custom sizes upon request. Retail price range for the Mark Abrams line will begin at $350 and peak at approximately $800.

The rugs will be on display in High Point this month. The company's Las Vegas and Atlanta showrooms will also show the line during the winter market cycle.

Mark Abrams

The Locking Rings rugs is made of tufted acrylic and retails for $356 for a 5×8.