We have been privileged to have collaborated with Roger Oates, who highlights the importance of good, high quality design when making your property stand out. Interior design can help increase a property’s sale price as well as help it sell faster, which is why we decided to reach out to local design experts and ask them some insightful questions.
How would you describe the kind of work that you and Roger Oates do?
Combining contemporary design with artisan heritage, we design and make flooring products in the UK. Founded in Ledbury in 1989 the company designs and makes distinctive wool flooring, we have our own shops in London and Eastnor, we sell across the UK through retailers and interior designers and we export to Europe, North America, Scandinavia and Australia. Our Venetian Flatweave stair runners and rugs are designed on loom in our studio at Eastnor and are woven on specially adapted narrow width looms. We believe in making responsible material choices, we use the finest traceable British wool from farms in the Southwest of England. Our approach to making involves skilled craftspeople at every stage, tethering our designs to the people and processes involved in their production.
What makes Roger Oates Design stand out as a company?
Our Venetian Flatweave rugs and runners have defined our style, the colours and patterns are instantly recognisable, especially on staircases. We don’t follow trends, we strive for timeless products and take inspiration from art, fashion and nature as well as reinterpreting designs from our own archive. We continue to evolve, developing new products, designs and colours each year from our Eastnor design studio. We are driven by the desire to work with wool and develop and promote skilled craftspeople, working within the most environmentally conscious framework possible. In 2023 we partnered with an initiative called Woolkeepers to source traceable British wool. The initiative ensures fairer business practices and wool prices for farmers and a transparent supply chain for ourselves and our customers, who can trace the wool in their rugs and runners back to the farms where the sheep are raised. We take great pride in our entirely UK based production. Our wool is grown in the UK, spun and dyed in Yorkshire and woven or hand-tufted in Devon. Sewing and hand finishing takes place in our Eastnor workroom. The environmental benefits of a UK based production are huge. The carbon footprint of our product is reduced, by producing our goods ourselves; and we have control over exactly how they are made, meaning we can ensure quality and high standards in every area.
How much importance is there on interior design when selling property?
Ideally, prospective buyers should be able to walk in and imagine themselves living in a space. Interior design can play a key role in this, making them feel relaxed and open to discovering the character, details and potential of the property. Invest in soft furnishings a well-placed rug can completely transform a room and instantly elevate a space. Loose runners and cushions, add familiar comfort and texture; all are elements that can be easily transported to furnish a new home when the time comes.
What are some core principles of interior design that people should try and implement themselves?
Great design stands the test of time, don’t be trend led. Meaningful design reflects individuality, heritage, and responsibility. Invest in well-made pieces that can age gracefully, unwavering against changing fads and fast fashion. At Roger Oates design, we believe that true luxury lies in longevity. Our approach champions timeless, enduring style and exceptional craftsmanship. Every stair runner and rug we create is designed not just to decorate a space, but to become part of its story.
Why is interior design worth investing in?
Successful interior design goes far beyond aesthetics. It is about creating environments that truly support and nurture our daily lives. Choosing to work with natural materials, will benefit you and your home a lot more than you may think. Whilst choosing 100% wool flooring may be more of an investment, the natural properties that come with this incredible fibre can dramatically improve the wellbeing of your home. Wool is a great insulator (from heat and cold), it is naturally flame retardant and even improves air quality. Wool’s natural resilience to crushing means it lasts longer than synthetics, making it one of the most sustainable materials in the flooring industry. By budgeting for quality pieces and making considered choices, whilst it may take you a little longer, you can create a home that champions local artistry and British industries, as well as supporting the environment through responsible production.
What is a mistake that you often see people make when thinking about designing their homes?
Playing things too safe. For years, understated interiors have dominated the design landscape. Plain walls, neutral furniture and carefully pared-back schemes can be considered a short-hand for a stylish home. However, an over reliance on ‘safe’ sparks a hunger for authentic, human spaces with pattern, texture and stories behind the products. It is refreshing to see a movement of homeowners rejecting the ‘cookie-cutter’ interiors in favour of spaces that reflect their own individual style and personality.
Thank you so much to the team at Roger Oates for working with us on this, and especially thank you to Andy Guard for his detailed responses.
