FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“CELEBRATE STYLE” AT LUXEHOME™ SPECIAL CONSUMER EVENT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FINEST KITCHEN AND BATH PRODUCT FOR THE HOME

Homeowners invited to open house during

national kitchen and bath month at The Merchandise Mart

CHICAGO [Sept. 14, 2004] — On Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004, Chicagoland homeowners and members of the design trade are invited to attend a special open house to “Celebrate Style” at LuxeHome™ in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. In honor of October’s “National Kitchen and Bath Month,” this will be a distinctive opportunity for the general public to shop the popular LuxeHome boutiques and view new merchandise via product launches, trunk shows, chef appearances, cooking demonstrations and much more.

"We have developed this unique day at LuxeHome for shoppers to celebrate great style while enjoying more than 20 distinctive in-boutique events," said Katherine Flaherty, vice president of building products & special projects, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. “These one-of-a-kind boutiques offer the finest products available and these special events bring to life this celebration of style."

PARTICIPATING BOUTIQUES

Abitare, Inc.

Ahalya Stone

American International Tile

Aquaworks

Birger Juell, Ltd. & Juell Architectural Woodwork, Ltd.

Chicago Tile Institute

Chicago Kitchen Design Group

Clive Christian of Chicago

de Giulio kitchen design, inc.

Granite & Marble Resources, Inc.

Hastings Tile & IL Bagno Collection

Jill Prescott Culinary School

Katonah Architectural Hardware

Neff Design Centre

Paris Ceramics USA, Inc.

Poggenpohl U.S., Inc.

Studio Snaidero Chicago

Valcucine Chicago

Varenna Poliform

Waterworks

Woodharbor Home

BOUTIQUE EVENTS

LuxeHome’s “Celebrate Style” open house will offer numerous free events that will take place in the various boutiques throughout the first floor of The Merchandise Mart. The general public as well as design professionals are invited to attend special presentations and events throughout the day. Events will occur continuously and attendees are encouraged to visit all of the boutiques to learn more about collections being launched this year. Some of the events include:

Microwave Magic with Kitchen Aid

Abitare, Inc., Suite 151

Abitare, Inc. will have Kitchen Aid manufacturers and representatives present to showcase the varied ways Kitchen Aid’s latest microwave oven can make entertaining easy this fall. Foods prepared by Kitchen Aid will be available for tasting.

The Influence of South Asian Design

Ahalya Stone, Suite 142

Pradeed Shimdi of Shiani Design will give an informative talk on how to incorporate personal influences and style into design. A selection of cheeses and wine will be served.

The Porcelain Tile Alternative

American International Tile, Suite 134

Homeowners and design professionals are invited to attend on going seminars in the American International Tile boutique. Manufacturer representatives will be on-hand to showcase the many applications of porcelain tiles. Trade professionals can earn CEU credit for attending the seminar. Light refreshments will be available all day.

Sample Sale

Aquaworks, Design Resource Center Suite 149-5

The public is invited to shop and save on select floor samples.

Lyptus: The Wood of the Future

Chicago Kitchen Design Group, Suite 127

Guests can join CKDG as Crystal Cabinetry debuts a new line of cabinetry called Lyptus. Eucalyptus wood – fast growing, “earth friendly” and fabled for centuries for its rich color and texture -- will be the primary source for this new cabinet finish. Also enjoy a live cooking demo on Gaggeneau products. Refreshments will be served.

Chicago Tile Institute, Design Resource Center Suite 149-11

Guests are invited to view Chicago Tile Institute’s new fall tile introductions.

High Tea with Clive Christian

Clive Christian of Chicago, Suite 143

From flatware, crystal and porcelain place settings to complete dining rooms, bedrooms and bespoke cabinetry, everyone is invited to experience the lifestyle that is Clive Christian.

Festive Fall Cooking Ideas

de Giulio kitchen design, inc., Suite 121

de Giulio kitchen design, inc. will hold a cooking demonstration with chef Pete Trusiak from the Westye Group using the boutiques Wolf Cooking equipment. Mick De Giulio also will offer a seminar on choosing the right appliances for a dream kitchen.

Designing with Maestro Mosaics Trunk Show

Granite and Marble Resources, Suite 115

Granite and Marble Resources will host a trunk show that will offer 12 interior design presentation boards utilizing the Maestro Mosaics collection of stone and glass tile. Each board will display interior, exterior, residential, commercial or hospitality project designs. A selection of cheeses will be available throughout the day.

Teuco Steam Shower Preview

Hastings Tile & IL Bagno Collection, Suite 120

The Hastings boutique will introduce new product including the Barcelona Collection, which was inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s designs; the Plano Collection, with its strong geometric lines and contemporary design; and the Catalano Verso System with its modular assemblage that can be arranged in countless configurations.

Come Taste the Cooking Experience

Jill Prescott Culinary School, Suite 107

The public is invited to watch on going cooking demonstrations and enjoy food tastings with Jill Prescott in her fabulous new state-of-the-art test kitchens.

Katonah Hardware Trunk Show

Katonah Architectural Hardware, Design Resource Center Suite 149-13

Katonah Architectural Hardware will introduce two new exclusive lines of hardware available only at Katonah’s LuxeHome boutique. Guests can sample wine and cheese throughout the day.

High Design at the Neff Design Centre

Neff Design Centre, Inc., Suite 144

Visitors are invited to view the rich and expansive creations of top designer, Terrell Goeke, principal, Neff Design Centre. Guests can meet with Terry and learn first hand how to make a dream home a reality.

I Love Paris in the Fall

Paris Ceramics USA, Inc., Suite 146

Paris Ceramics will showcase the finest in reclaimed antique limestone and mosaics, and will present the best product for all types design projects. Delicious French pastries will be served.

Integration

Poggenpohl U.S., Inc., Suite 138

Everyone is invited to experience the fine quality European craftsmanship of Poggenpohl and view how the product integrates to establish clean-lined luxury living with 21st century technology. Fresh hot coffee and chilled bottled water will be available.

Gaggenau Cooks with Snaidero

Studio Snaidero Chicago, Suite 140

Guests will enjoy cooking demonstrations by chefs working on Gaggenau appliances at Studio Snaidero Chicago’s “Total Gaggenau Kitchen.” Throughout the day, guests can sample the delicious fare from the cooking demonstrations along with wine and cheese selections.

Valcucine: Beautiful & ‘Green’

Valcucine Chicago, Suite 106

Valcucine’s will present an on going seminar about the company’s commitment to producing kitchens that are functional, high quality, and beautifully designed.

Fall Italian Hors d’oeuvres The Poliform Way

Varenna Poliform, Suite 110

Everyone is invited to view live cooking demonstrations using the boutique’s high-quality Miele products and to sample the delicious results. Boutique sales staff will be on hand to highlight Varenna’s latest kitchen designs.

New Fall Soft-Goods Introductions

Waterworks, Suite 136

Waterworks will debut new products in its soft-goods line of towels, robes, lotions and candles. The public is invited to save 10 percent off the retail price on special promotion items, available Oct. 2 only. Hot coffee and light snacks will be served.

The Woodharbor Home Design Experience

Woodharbor Home, Suite 130

Guests are invited to experience Woodharbor’s beautiful matching finishes for cabinetry and interior doors. With three distinct lines of cabinetry offered for customization, the Woodharbor design team can offer on-site expertise to make any project beautiful, functional and a lasting investment.

EVENT INFORMATION

DATE:

Oct. 2, 2004

HOURS:

10 a.m.–3 p.m.

ADMISSION:

Free, Open to the public

and design professionals

INFORMATION:

800.677.6278 [MART] or www.luxehome.com

PRESS INQUIRIES ONLY:

Elizabeth D. Cooley

Public Relations Manager

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

Phone: 312-527-7555

E-mail: ecooley@mmart.com

About LuxeHome™

Open to the public, as well as interior designers, architects and custom builders, LuxeHome™ is a magnificent retail center that boasts 98,000+ square feet of space and showcases 25+ kitchen and bath boutiques that feature the finest industry products from the most recognized and respected manufacturers worldwide. Hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. For more information, please visit www.luxehome.com or call 800.677.6278 [MART]. NOTE TO EDITORS: Katherine Flaherty, vice president of building products & special projects, and other MMPI executives are available for interviews. Photos and a list of the 25+ LuxeHome and Design Resource Center boutiques are available upon request. Contact Elizabeth Cooley at 312-527-7555 or ecooley@mmart.com.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, Chicago Apparel Center, and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washington, D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

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