Old traditional Kashmir carpet designs becoming digitised in India

To safeguard the cultural heritage of traditional woven carpets, the Handicrafts and Handloom Department in Kashmir, India is creating digital copies of around 1,000 traditional carpet designs.

Kashmir carpets woven by skilled craftspeople have unique patterns, knots and dimensions. Designs are recorded manually on talim paper in the form of coded instructions that provide colour, knot counts and other information required to re-create traditional carpet patterns. However, over time, the talim paper documents are known to deteriorate. The solution to preserve them is to convert the designs to digital form. So far, the Indian project has digitised 500 carpet designs out of an estimated 1,000. The designs are available to view at the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT).

The Director of the ICCT, Zubair Ahmad, says that these preserved traditional designs can be printed out and used as inspiration for modern carpet designs. He suggests that motifs, colours, size and patterns can be modified to create new unique modern designs.

Every year, carpet manufacturers launch new carpet styles and patterns. Carpet designers often take older patterns and update them for modern design tastes. This is why it is important that records are kept on traditional carpet designs.

Hand woven Kashmir carpets are colourful and typically feature vibrant patterns inspired by natural flower and plant shapes. However, purchasing these carpets for North Wales home or offices is very expensive. A more affordable alternative is to find a carpet or rug whose design is based on traditional carpets.

Wood flooring trends that are no longer fashionable

If you are renovating a room with new wood flooring, design experts warn that several past flooring trends should be avoided in 2025.

Natural and engineered wood flooring looks good but is too expensive for some. Laminate flooring is a more affordable option. New types of laminate flooring are available with realistic looking wood grain patterns. However, design experts do not recommend basic cheap laminate flooring, as it does not look stylish and is not very durable.

If you install natural wood flooring, avoid ones with a very glossy finish. Designer Kerry O'Dubhir says:

"Matte and satin finishes are now preferred for a more natural, low maintenance look."

Very dark hardwood is no longer as fashionable as it once was. Walnut and other lighter woods are trending. There is also a move away from grey wood flooring that was once a popular design trend, but designer Gala Magriñá says that greys can suck the energy out of a room.

The recommended flooring choice by many design experts is natural wood flooring. This is seen as a good investment as it lasts a long time and is easy to maintain.

Engineered wood is a good alternative as it is less expensive than solid wood but has a top layer of real wood. It is available in a wide range of wood types, from dark to light.

Engineered wood flooring in Wrexham and Chester homes and commercial properties is popular for its natural aesthetic appeal that matches most decor styles. Visit a local flooring retailer to view their full range of engineered wood flooring.

Innovations in luxury wood-effect vinyl flooring

In recent years, there have been several innovations in luxury vinyl flooring that have improved their look and quality, especially in wood-effect flooring.

Innovations in manufacturing have made wood-effect luxury vinyl tiles more realistic looking and with better protective top layers that make them last longer.

New printing methods make luxury vinyl mimic real natural wood grains. Blond and walnut are popular wood types that vinyl tiles recreate. Texture printing adds an authentic feeling of wood grains. Broader tiles are popular as they reduce the number of seams and enhance the wood look.

New types of 100% water-resistant luxury vinyl flooring tiles are ideal for bathrooms and other wet areas. Click-lock joining systems create tight joints between vinyl tile planks that prevent water reaching the subfloor. Slip-resistant vinyl also makes them safe to use in damp environments.

For environmentally concerned users, there is an increasing number of luxury vinyl options made with up to 80% recycled materials that don't compromise on looks and quality.

Protective layers have been developed that repel dirt, prevent scratching and are quick to clean. Antibacterial solutions in vinyl stop mould and mildew growing, making vinyl a healthy flooring option.

Modern luxury wood-effect vinyl flooring combines aesthetics with practicality for floors that have the natural look of wood, last a long time and are easy to maintain. Luxury vinyl is suitable for both residential and commercial use. To see the latest wood-effect luxury vinyl flooring for your Chester or North Wales rooms, contact a local flooring retailer.

Which? publishes carpet buying guide

Consumer organisation Which? recently published its updated guide to buying a new carpet.

There are three important questions Which? recommends you ask before purchasing a new carpet.

How much can I spend?

Carpets cost from £5 a square foot to over £100 for a hand-woven carpet. Premium-quality wool carpets are more expensive than synthetic polypropylene, but they add luxury comfort to a room.

Who will walk on the carpet and how often?

High-traffic areas in busy households with several members will see more foot traffic in hallways and living areas than in bedrooms and other less used areas. High-traffic areas need more durable carpets. If there are young children and pets in the home, go for a carpet that is easy to keep clean.

How do I want the carpet to look and feel?

Do I want a soft carpet with a deep pile or a flatter one? What colour goes well with the room decor? Do I prefer a pattern or a plain colour carpet?

The Which? guidance details carpet material types, synthetic, wool or plant-based, with each material having its pros and cons.

If you choose an expensive carpet, Which? warns against cutting costs by buying a poor quality underlay. A good underlay improves the carpet's look and feel and makes it last longer.

The guidance from Which? may help consumer choose the next carpet for their homes. However, for more help in choosing the best carpet, talk to a local carpet retailer in the North Wales and Chester region.

Designers discuss installing carpets in bedrooms

An ongoing debate within the interior design community is attempting to conclude whether carpets in the bedroom are a good idea.

Interior designer Paris Forino thinks bedroom carpets are "dated and suburban". On the other side of the debate is designer Emma Breislin, who broadly supports carpets in bedrooms. She says:

"A part of me has always felt like they belong in a bedroom. It’s a space where softness and comfort outweigh all else."

Like all floor coverings, there are pros and cons of bedroom carpets. A major advantage of a carpet is its comfort as you get out of bed with bare feet, compared to a cold hard surface such as laminate or wood floor. However, if the bedroom floor is made from original natural hardwood, it may be a shame to cover it up with wall-to-wall carpets. Instead, use bright rugs for extra cosiness and a touch of colour.

Keeping carpets clean puts some people off as they require regular vacuuming and the occasional deep clean, but it's worth it as a clean carpet will continue to look good and last a long time.

There is a wide range of carpet colours and patterns, making it hard to choose the best style and colour. Laminate or wood floors match most decor styles but do not add the striking visual tone to a room that a bright carpet does.

Whether you prefer hard surface flooring or a soft carpet, a local flooring company in North Wales or Chester will help you decide which is best for your bedroom.