1
                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                       CONTACT:  J. CARY FINDLAY
                                                                    864/427-9004

                       CONSO INTERNATIONAL TO BE ACQUIRED
                               FOR $9.00 PER SHARE

         UNION, SC (October 6, 1999) - Conso International Corporation (Nasdaq
NMS: CNSO) today announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under
which an investor group including Conso's senior managers will acquire Conso for
$9.00 per share.

         The transaction, which is structured as a merger of a newly-formed
acquisition company into Conso and will be accounted for as a recapitalization
of Conso, has been approved by Conso's Board of Directors on the recommendation
of a Special Committee of outside directors. Subject to shareholder approval and
other closing conditions, the transaction is expected to be completed in late
1999 or early 2000. Under the merger agreement, each share of Conso's common
stock (other than a portion of the shares held by J. Cary Findlay, Conso's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, which would be converted to equity in the
surviving company) would be converted into the right to receive $9.00 in cash.

         The merger is subject to customary terms and conditions, including
approval by Conso's shareholders, the expiration of any applicable waiting
period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and the
receipt of funding under financing commitments. Commitments for senior and
subordinated debt financing for the merger have been provided by SunTrust Bank,
Atlanta and SunTrust Bank, Inc., respectively, subject to customary closing
conditions.

         Conso will file proxy materials and related documents with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and, after any SEC review, call a special
meeting of shareholders to consider the merger. In light of the proposed
transaction, Conso has decided to postpone its annual meeting of shareholders
previously scheduled for November 9, 1999. The date for the special meeting of
shareholders has not yet been determined, but will likely be in December 1999 or
January 2000.

         "This transaction represents an outstanding opportunity for all of
Conso's shareholders," said Findlay. "We have been very disappointed in the
valuation of our stock in the trading market; this transaction will provide a
significant cash premium over market prices during the past year and a premium
of 78% over Tuesday's closing price. I also believe the partnership of the
investor group, which will include our senior management team and Citicorp
Venture Capital Ltd., will be good for Conso's continuing business. I have
agreed to retain a significant financial interest in the company and to continue
as Conso's Chief Executive Officer in order to make this deal work and obtain a
premium price for all of our shareholders."

         Conso is the world's largest manufacturer of decorative trimmings for
the home furnishings industry and, through its subsidiary Simplicity Pattern
Co., is a leading designer of patterns and other instructional material for home
sewing of apparel, home decorating and crafts.