Lane Home Furnishings announced today that it has entered into a licensing agreement with the National Geographic Society to produce a furniture collection inspired by the world travels and personal residences of National Geographic's own explorers. This unique collection will be introduced at Highpoint, North Carolina Furniture Market in October 2003.

"We are incredibly excited about bringing this collection to the market place. The knowledge and comfort that the consumer has with both the Lane Home Furnishings brand name and the National Geographic Society makes this partnership and the furniture collection a perfect match," says Tom Foy, President and CEO of Lane Furniture Industries.

The products to be produced by Lane Home Furnishings will include bedroom, dining room, occasional and accent pieces along with upholstery groups to complement the wood assortment.

"For nearly 100 years, we have been committed to creating top quality furniture -- what better way to continue that tradition," said Skipper Holliman, Vice President of Marketing for Lane Home Furnishings. "By working together with National Geographic and drawing inspiration from the homes and travels of their unrivaled team of photographers, we've been able to develop a very exciting collection. The National Geographic Home Collection by Lane will include over 150 unique pieces of upholstery and wood that have been designed and merchandised together."

While the furniture assortment is the basis of this eclectic collection, the introduction also includes home products such as lighting, bedding, candles and other accessories. National Geographic has licensing agreements with seven other companies for these additional products. The collection is comprised of over 2,500 items and represents one of the largest home collections ever conceived, designed, produced and introduced at one launch.

"We are delighted to introduce this new line of furnishings that bring a taste of foreign culture into the home," says John Dumbacher, Senior Vice President of Licensing for National Geographic. "This collection was inspired by our own explorers' personal residences and their world travels. They shared their homes and the items they have collected from around the world, helping us develop this eclectic collection."

Lane Home Furnishings is a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) , the nation's leading residential furniture manufacturer.