Stark: Furniture World News: STARK Launches Rising Stars Program to Support Emerging Interior Designers

STARK, a luxury carpet and rug brand established in 1938, has announced the launch of the STARK Rising Stars Design Grant, a new initiative in partnership with LUXE Interiors + Design aimed at supporting and showcasing emerging talent in the interior design industry. The program will recognize one National Award recipient with a $20,000 grant to grow their business, along with a $5,000 product credit for STARK products. Six Regional winners will each receive a $5,000 grant and a $2,500 product credit. An additional award, the STARK Community Choice Award, will be determined by public vote and includes a $2,500 grant and a $2,500 product credit. "STARK Rising Stars represents our unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of design visionaries," said Chad Stark, CEO of STARK. "We believe that by providing emerging talent with not just financial support, but also mentorship, visibility, and professional connections, we're investing in the future of design excellence. This initiative reflects our core belief that fresh perspectives drive innovation, and that by elevating diverse voices early in their careers, we strengthen the entire creative ecosystem. I'm personally thrilled to see the transformative journey these Rising Stars will undertake and the lasting impact they'll make on our industry." In addition to monetary and product support, all recipients will be featured in the STARK Rising Stars digital magazine, promoted on STARK's website and social media channels, and considered for participation in upcoming marketing collaborations. Applications are now open to interior design business owners or principals whose firms were founded in 2018 or later. Eligible applicants must be based in the U.S., U.K., or Europe and possess a portfolio with at least three completed projects, including imagery for which they have usage rights. For more information or to apply or nominate a designer, visit starkcarpet.com/pages/rising-stars. About STARK For more than 85 years, STARK has built a legacy on quality, service and the art of creating custom carpets and rugs. As the first importers of patterned, luxury, handmade carpet into America, STARK and its third-generation owners and cousins, Ashley Stark Kenner and Chad Stark, working with their fathers, continue to build on the company's founding principles. For more information, visit starkcarpet.com.