Acclaimed interiors business returns to Herefordshire town

The successful flooring business has moved into the distinctive former home of Tinsmiths at the end of Tinsmiths Alley, creating a new showroom over two floors in the very contemporary abstract glass and steel building, designed and created by Tinsmiths founder Alex Clive.

The new showroom is in the distinctive building at the end of Tinsmiths Alley, designed by Alex Clive, founder of Tinsmiths

Roger Oates Designs is a local company with a national and international reputation, a market leader in flatweave flooring. The company’s head office remains in Eastnor, at the foot of the Malvern Hills, where the offices and workshop are housed within beautifully renovated 19th century stable buildings, the largest of which is known as ‘The Long Barn’.

Here skilled craftspeople hand-finish the flatweave; darning and sewing to create the distinctive stair runners and rugs for which Roger Oates Design is known. Alongside, in a Grade 2 listed, former coaching inn is the design studio headed up by Creative Director, Andy Guard.

Roger Oates Designs specialise in flatweave flooring

It was when working on a commission for a private client in the late 80s that Roger Oates uncovered a historic Venetian Flatweave sample that had been hidden under the floorboards of a grand country house. Although heavily faded on top, the underside of the 200-year-old fragment was vividly coloured and deliberately patterned. It would become the inspiration for the very first Roger Oates Design flatweave collection.

In the early days the company’s roots were firmly planted in Ledbury, and the new showroom marks a welcome return, showcasing the complete signature stripe, Flatweave Collections, Tapis D’Avignon rugs and a new collection of hand-tufted runners and rugs. Also available is a range of home accessories including cushions, upholstered furniture, and travel bags.