FLOORED Beautiful flooring with the latest desings in tiles, wood and rugs

ADORE YOUR FLOOR

Explore the floor finishes that will keep the cold out and style in this autumn with Tallulah Rushaya

When designing a room, it can be easy to dismiss the visual importance of flooring. Beyond function, flooring can set the tone for the rest of any room. There are an abundance of looks available – whether you opt for rugs, wood or tiles – that can tie any interior scheme together. These flooring options combine colour, pattern and style while keeping your soles warm.

RUG RENAISSANCE

The centrepiece of a room, rugs have long been associated with comfort and warmth. Whether plain or patterned, rugs can either neutralise busy décor, or be the missing piece to lift surrounding furniture. As the nights draw in and heating bills rise, they’ll be more welcome than ever. “Rugs are an unsung saviour in the winter months! They create a barrier between the cold, wooden floor and your feet and create a softer area for you to walk around,” says Orla Kiely, interior designer, and founder of Orla Kiely (orlakiely. com). “Rugs add another layer of insulation to your room, trapping cold air underneath it and stopping the chill rising.”

For centuries, intricately woven rugs have told stories about artistry and heritage. “Lovingly woven by hand, Persian rugs, and all handmade carpets for that matter, are a testament to the talent and creativity of the

GAINING GROUND

Above left: Piazza chevron tiles by Mandarin Stone Above right: Face rug in warm ochre by Nordic Knots Inset: Zodiac rug, £8,580.63, Knots Rugs artisans who craft them,” remarks Camilla Stannard, founder of Lilla Rugs (lillarugs. com). “This art form is passed down from generation to generation. And just as every individual who weaves these rugs is a di erent person, each Persian rug is a one-of-a-kind.”

Assessing space and dimensions, are just as important as the design itself. The rug shouldn’t overwhelm or underwhelm a room. Harriet Crawley, senior designer at Knot Rugs (knotsrugs.co.uk), shares her tips for finding the perfect rug material. “Materials are also a consideration, in high-tra c areas like hallways, 100 per cent wool or a woolsilk mix is the most resilient as wool is the most durable natural fibre and it’s the easiest to maintain,” she explains. “Silk brings an element of luxury, shine and softness, creating a play with light. Natural fibres are always the preferred option when looking for a rug, as this ensures the rug can be cleaned professionally, whatever the spillage.” 2022 saw the rise in trends for curved furniture across seating and

cabinetry, which is also reflected in rugs. “Curved shapes have become an increasingly popular interiors trend, as they bring a gentle softness and inviting feel to a space. A rug is a brilliant way to introduce sinuous shapes into a room, for example, with the largescale curves of our new zebra designs,” adds Natasha Laing, country manager for Tai Ping Carpets UK (taipingcarpets.com). “The softly geometric arches and circles are created through the subtle yarn textures and di erent pile heights and feel modern yet timeless.”

WARMING WOODS

The beautifully natural aesthetic of wooden flooring, particularly wooden knots is incomparable. Choosing suitable flooring – from solid wood and LVT (luxury vinyl) to engineered wooden planks – requires careful consideration. Di erent types of wood have varied lifespans or aren’t compatible with underfloor heating. “Real wood flooring is a popular way of adding warmth and character to a room, and is a classic choice that works in any style of property. Helping to bring nature indoors in a very practical way, we’re seeing engineered wood floors being increasingly chosen for kitchens and living spaces,” notes Peter Keane, director of The Natural Wood Floor Company (naturalwoodfloor.co.uk). “Not all wood flooring is suitable for every room in the home. Solid flooring, for example, has historically been the primary choice for interiors, but it’s not suitable for environments with high humidity levels and can’t be used with underfloor heating. Engineered boards, on the other hand, can be fitted in most rooms in the house, including humid areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.”

Wooden flooring is a timeless style, that has remained versatile and adaptable. Trends that are being explored include a move to lighter tones. “In wooden flooring, we’re seeing that the timeless herringbone pattern is here to stay for a while longer. This style originates from the 1600s and is ageless. Plank is also popular, which suits the Scandinavian and Japandi styles well, making rooms feel longer and wider,” comments Katie Hughton, head of marketing at Ted Todd (tedtodd.co.uk). “We’re seeing a huge push for white and lightcoloured wood flooring now and it’s a trend that’s set to stay. Lighter flooring allows the light to bounce around a room. White, grey, and light flooring pairs well with a range cabinetry colours, especially with the darkertoned kitchen trend.”

TILES AND PILES Above left: Aged-oak and oiled-ebony parquet flooring by The Natural Wood Floor Company, Above right: Vintage Persian malayer rug, £2,800, Lilla Rugs Inset: Rosso Di Scacchi tumbled marble by Mandarin Stone Below: Garden maze rug, £1,995, Nordic Knots

TANTALISING TILES

Think beyond stark white tiles, and consider colourful alternatives. “Warmer, earthy tones warm reds, soft terracottas, mellow yellows and rich aubergines bring warmth and character to interiors, “observes Louisa Morgan, marketing director at Mandarin Stone (mandarinstone.com). “Connecting indoor and outdoor spaces is key too. Porcelain tiles that replicate natural stone, allow a seamless floor. ”

The art deco style is one that has bcome more prevalent in interiors as we continue into the modern ‘roaring 20s.’ Monochrome is adaptable to any room, and is defined by strong lines, and streamlined forms. “Our TE018 tiles were used for the floor, walls and countertops in a master bathroom designed by Holland and Harvey. A monochrome colour palette and references to the art deco era,” shares Ollie Head, assistant business developer at Diespeker & Co (diespeker.co.uk). “Terrazzo flooring adds elegance, durablity, and is a timeless tile design, making it a popular choice in bathrooms.” L

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