Flooring
Wool carpet is the way of the future when it comes to flooring, says Alastair Murcott of Floorpride Mandeville Street.
What trends are you seeing lately in flooring?
We are certainly seeing a significant swing back to 100 per cent wool carpet. The other trend is a change back to more earthy tones and the re-emergence of colours such as greens, blues, terracottas, golds and browns in the available palette.
What do you like about this shift?
This rise in the popularity of wool as a flooring option is driven by the increasing awareness of using natural products in our homes, but also it’s about the appearance retention of wool; it manages to retain its original aesthetic over time. The feel and warmth of wool is also unmatched by alternate fibres. We can’t help but also be happy about Kiwi sheep farmers gaining increasing value for their efforts.
Who is adopting this trend?
Wool is being used across a broad spectrum of clients, from commercial applications and group home builder show homes to private residential homes. Almost 70 per cent of our private residential clients are now using wool, but the diversity of uses across a broad range of client groups shows just how versatile wool is. We see no signs of the resurgence of wool stopping; in fact, we are seeing more products and choices in wool being offered to our clients. Wool has such a beautiful feel underfoot that once clients have experienced it, they rarely, if ever, change back. Colour-wise, we have had around 15 years of greys, from light to almost black, so we see the change to more earthy, warm tones, along with more colours, being at least a medium-term trend.
What’s your advice for us?
As owner of Floorpride Mandeville Street, I’m a 40-year veteran of the flooring industry. To experience wool carpets and learn what could be best for you, visit our showroom at 58 Mandeville Street in Riccarton, Christchurch, or make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
