Roger Oates Design

Roger Oates makes exquisite modern carpets and runners in linen, wool, and sisal. Some of his pieces are part of the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Crafts Council. You can obtain your own design classic from its shops in London and Herefordshire, or browse through its elegantly shot online catalogue.

BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED

The site is beautifully illustrated, but navigation is a little slow and cumbersome, with lots of clicking the back button to get to a selection menu. From the homepage, click on the pictures to move into a particular section and then use the drop-down menus to refine your search. In some cases, click on the white circle which appears in the main pictures and a pop-up screen will appear with a close- up of the carpet in question.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Rugs & Runners are the heart of Roger Oates' Collection. Whatever your scheme or style, you are bound to find something among these beautifully made and designed pieces to complement it. They are remarkably versatile, as is Mr Oates' team. Some of the runners can be sewn together to make larger rugs and all are sold by the linear metre, with bound or fringed edges to match your requirements. Particularly interesting is the Antiqued Cotton collection, full of cheerful stripes with a whiff of the seaside about them, contemporary wool and jute blends, and delicious award-winning confections in wool felt. The smart Venetian range of runners is reversible and dry-cleanable, making them great value.

OTHER FEATURES

'Contact' gives phone numbers to call for mail order details. Customers don't appear to be able to order online yet, but from experience we can vouch for Roger Oates Design's high level of customer service, including sending out swatches of carpets you may be interested in. Studio Shop offers an almost irresistible invitation to visit their shop in Herefordshire. As well as the signature rugs and runners, the shop carries ranges of glassware, tableware, bed and bathroom furnishings, garden accessories, and a special children's range.