CONTACT: Harrison Fonteyne Communications

617-868-6838 or 860-413-9703

els@harrisonfonteyne.com

Karen Davino

emma gardner design, llc

860-567-5201

press@emmagardnerdesign.com

egdCONTRACT CONTINUES TO EXPAND

WINNING THREE NEW HOSPITALITY PROJECTS FOR SPRING 2007

Emma Gardner Design Installing Custom Rugs at Winvian Resort, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa and Hyatt Valencia

Litchfield, Conn. (April 2007) – emma gardner design, llc, makers of contemporary heirloom quality rugs, announced that its hospitality division, egdCONTRACT, has been retained to create custom rugs for three luxury resorts. The Winvian Resorts in Morris, Conn. has commissioned a custom Santorini rug, the Hyatt Valencia in Valencia, Calif. a custom Kaleidoscope rug, and the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, Calif. a custom Russian Box rug. All of the rugs were installed this spring.

“For each property, we worked with a design team to select one of our rugs to complement that particular setting and make a strong visual impact in its space,” said Emma Gardner, chief designer and principal at emma gardner design. “As the egdCONTRACT division continues to expand, I have more opportunities to create unique pieces for specific environments, which is really a luxury for me as a designer. I often envision customizing the rug designs in the original creative process, so when opportunity allows, it is very fulfilling to see the end result in these beautiful settings.”

Winvian Resorts, set in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut has installed a hand-knotted wool Santorini rug in its spa. The extraordinary property is set on 113 acres and is comprised of fifteen cottages, each designed exclusively and uniquely by a different architect. The Santorini rug’s fish theme works well with the rustic, graceful setting.

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“We love the effect of the Santorini rug,” said David Winkelman, head designer at the Winvian Resorts. “It creates an atmosphere in the spa that we know our customers will enjoy. While making a bold statement, it has a soft, pleasing feel. We have enjoyed working with the team at emma gardner design and are big fans of Emma’s work.”

The Hyatt Valencia and Santa Clarita Conference Center boasts a new custom Kaleidoscope hand-tufted rug in its reception and bar area. The Kaleidoscope design blends colors to create a watercolor effect. The project was designed by Susan Cregg a partner at SanDdesign who brought egd into the project to create a distinctive atmosphere that would satisfy the clients desire to create a unique reception area. The Hyatt Valencia is situated in the heart of Santa Clarita and is geared to business travelers with its high tech conference center.

For the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, Calif., egdCONTRACT created a custom hand-tufted Russian Box rug for the hotel’s reception area. Design360Unlimited principal Meg McFarland made a bold statement by adapting one of egd’s signature residential rugs and importing it into a hospitality setting to create an environment that quickly puts the property’s guests at ease. Russian Box features a symmetrical central petal-pattern with tone on tone blended colorways. The luxury resort is situated at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and offers world-class amenities and spa services.

About: emma gardner design, llc is a boutique design and development company that produces fine contemporary interior products for use in residential, office and hospitality spaces. Chief designer Emma C. Gardner was the winner of a 2006 Best of Year award from Interior Design for her Joy rug. Based in Litchfield, Connecticut, the company offers its products through select showrooms and is a proud member of the RUGMARK Foundation, a global non-profit organization working to end child labor. For more information please visit www.emmagardnerdesign.com.

Right: emma gardner design Santorini rug at Winvian Resorts in Litchfield Hills, Conn.