-- Wilsonart International Launches New High-styled Laminate Series of Eight Patterns --

TEMPLE, Texas, July 28, 2003 – Showplace-type kitchens continue to spring up in homes across the nation as consumers remain committed to transforming this room into a bastion of luxury. Top among those must-have items is engineered stone, the newest high-priced kitchen surfacing material. While the majority of consumers can’t afford the high cost of engineered stone countertops, they turn to other options, such as laminate. Wilsonart International has recently launched Topaz, a line of eight patterns that expertly replicate the look and feel of engineered stone and is available at a much more affordable price.

“Expense and ease of installation are two major factors for choosing laminate,” says designer Charles Riley of New York’s Charles Riley Associates. “It’s very low maintenance plus the range of color is much more substantial. It’s a modern material that has great applications that make it a practical and cost effective solution for places where you might normally use stone.”

Layers of multiple colors and the addition of pearl pigments in bronze, silver and gold give the patterns the dimension and depth of engineered stone. The color choices range from light neutrals to dark, saturated hues in the following choices:

• Blue Topaz – A medium blue with hints of grey and navy
• Brazilian Topaz – A rich gold-brown duo
• Citrine Topaz – A cool light green base with warm and cool flecks of accent color
• Crystal Topaz – A neutral white that is paired with pale grey, blue, green and pink
• Imperial Topaz – A dark blue-purple combination
• Kalahari Topaz – A neutral light and dark beige combination
• Majestic Topaz – A deep green with strong blue undertones
• Smoky Topaz – A charcoal grey with accents of chocolate brown

An enhanced premium finish lends this series the highly polished feel of stone without compromising the laminate’s famed scratch resistance. Heavy pots and pans, ceramic dishes and other kitchen items won’t ruin Topaz’s sophisticated sheen.

The addition of a Beveled Custom Edge completes the upscale look. Wilsonart’s edge treatments eliminate the brown seam and sharp corners while also enhancing that authentic stone appearance.

Wilsonart International, based in Temple, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of decorative surfacing products, including Wilsonart® Laminate, Wilsonart Gibraltar, Wilsonart® Decorative Metals, Wilsonart® Custom Edges and Wilsonart® Flooring.

For more information about the newest additions to Wilsonart Laminate or any other Wilsonart products, please call the Customer Service Hotline at 800-433-3222, or visit the Wilsonart Web site at www.wilsonart.com.

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Because homeowners have a love affair with dark, sexy color combinations, Wilsonart created Imperial Topaz, featured above.This deep purple-blue combination, which is part of the newly launched Topaz Collection, provides a rich offering of these popular and versatile hues, while the premium finish gives the pattern the feel of engineered stone.		Beige, a timeless neutral color choice, has been reinvented in Kalahari Topaz, featured above, which is part of Wilsonart International’s newly launched Topaz Collection. Kalahari Topaz presents a mix of light and dark beiges to create a neutral pattern with depth and dimension, just like engineered stone. The premium finish gives the pattern the feel of stone.
Majestic Topaz, featured above, showcases a mix of deep jade-like green with strong blue undertones. The premium finish gives this colorful pattern the look and feel of engineered stone, transforming the countertop into the focal point of the kitchen.		Charcoal grey with chocolate brown accents make up the sumptuous Smoky Topaz, featured above. This deep rich pattern screams, "luxury," while the premium finish gives it the look and feel of engineered stone.
Kalahari Topaz, featured above, which is part of Wilsonart’s newly launched Topaz Collection, features a winning combination of light and dark beiges to create a laminate pattern with as much depth and dimension as engineered stone. A special premium finish gives the pattern the upscale look and slick feel of stone. All Topaz patterns are perfect for back splashes, see above, as well as countertops.		Wilsonart’s Smoky Topaz, part of the new Topaz Collection, uses charcoal grey with chocolate brown accents to create a rich and luxurious laminate pattern. A special premium finish gives Smoky Topaz, featured above, the expensive look and slick feel of engineered stone, and Wilsonart’s beveled edge completes the countertop’s upscale appearance, while covering the brown seam normally associated with laminate countertops.