Lost carpets of King Louis XIV displayed in Paris

The Louvre in Paris is hosting an exhibition called “The Rediscovered Treasure of the Sun King”, which showcases the magnificent carpets commissioned by Louis XIV in the 17th century.

In 1668, Louis XIV aimed to transform the Louvre into a royal residence, a place of absolute power. He appointed the painter Charles Le Brun to design 92 grand carpets to cover the floors of the Louvre gallery. These were woven by the Savonnerie Manufactory and measured nine metres wide. However, the carpets were never installed in the Louvre, as by 1678, the King had moved his court to Versailles.

The carpets were dispersed to various government buildings, and during the French Revolution, many were destroyed. Of the 92 carpets, only 41 survived, with just 33 in complete condition. A collection of 30 of these magnificent carpets will finally be displayed at the Louvre, but only for this week, from 1 to 8 February.

The exhibition is curated by Wolf Burchard from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Emmanuelle Federspiel from the French government agency Les Manufactures Nationales. The carpets are exhibited in the Grand Palais, which features a glass-domed ceiling that allows natural light to illuminate the intricate patterns of the carpets, which include mythological scenes and royal emblems in the Baroque art style. The exhibition is said to offer a rare glimpse of Louis XIV’s vision of power and luxury.

For down-to-earth yet stylish carpets that make you feel like royalty in your own home, visit a local carpet retailer in North Wales today.

New carpet technology keeps bike trails open

A specialist in bicycle trails in America has developed a new technology for carpets that can withstand adverse weather conditions.

Joshua Cohan, one of the owners of Jarrod’s Place ouA specialist in bicycle trails in America has developed a new technology for carpets that can withstand adverse weather conditions.

Joshua Cohan, one of the owners of Jarrod’s Place outdoor bicycle trails in Dalton, California, was struggling to keep the mountain bike trails open due to weather-related erosion and heavy bike use. Resurfacing one trail costs £15,000.

Joshua Cohan and his team sought a solution to keep the trails open in both sunny and rainy weather. They tried standard household carpets, artificial grass, and other materials to cover the trails, but none proved suitable.

The solution was to develop their own type of carpet. They collaborated with local carpet manufacturers to create what they call Trail Armor, a specialised type of carpet that allows water to penetrate the surface and prevents erosion of the trail underneath. The backing of the carpet is made from marine-grade rubber, which securely grips all types of terrain. The carpet fibre is UV-stabilised yarn that does not deteriorate in strong sunlight. Trail Armour is extremely durable, and tests have also shown it is suitable for trails in snowy conditions.

Trails covered with Trail Armor can remain open even after severe storms, which normally force closure. Trail Armor has now moved beyond experimentation and has become a business selling this unique carpet to other trail owners who want to keep their trails open in all weather conditions.

Most carpets available from a local carpet retailer in the Chester area are for indoor use, but there are carpets and rugs suitable for outdoor patios and decks. However, cycling on them is typically not recommended. tdoor bicycle trails in Dalton, California, was struggling to keep the mountain bike trails open due to weather-related erosion and heavy bike use. Resurfacing one trail costs £15,000.

Joshua Cohan and his team sought a solution to keep the trails open in both sunny and rainy weather. They tried standard household carpets, artificial grass, and other materials to cover the trails, but none proved suitable.

The solution was to develop their own type of carpet. They collaborated with local carpet manufacturers to create what they call Trail Armor, a specialised type of carpet that allows water to penetrate the surface and prevents erosion of the trail underneath. The backing of the carpet is made from marine-grade rubber, which securely grips all types of terrain. The carpet fibre is UV-stabilised yarn that does not deteriorate in strong sunlight. Trail Armour is extremely durable, and tests have also shown it is suitable for trails in snowy conditions.

Trails covered with Trail Armor can remain open even after severe storms, which normally force closure. Trail Armor has now moved beyond experimentation and has become a business selling this unique carpet to other trail owners who want to keep their trails open in all weather conditions.

Most carpets available from a local carpet retailer in the Chester area are for indoor use, but there are carpets and rugs suitable for outdoor patios and decks. However, cycling on them is typically not recommended.

Do you need to level a floor before carpeting?

Homeowners and companies considering fitting new carpets in Chester, Wrexham and other areas around the UK often wonder if levelling their floor first is essential.

As a rule, for a professional looking carpet installation that offers years of use, it’s advisable to level the floor before adding carpeting. In the following passages, we’ll take a detailed look at why levelling is critical, the ways to level common sub floor types and the rare installation exceptions when you might not need to level your floors.

Why levelling floors before carpet is important

Appearance: Prevents visible bumps, dips and ripples in the finished carpet.

Comfort: Eliminates uncomfortable hollow spots or raised areas underfoot.

Durability: Stops uneven pressure points that cause carpet to stretch, wear out, or develop air pockets.

Safety: Reduces trip hazards from uneven surfaces.

Installation: Makes fitting easier and ensures grippers and underlay sit properly.

Purchasing quality carpet is a significant investment. Unfortunately, uneven flooring creates air pockets and pressure points that make carpets more susceptible to wear and irreparable damage, shortening their service. Luckily, levelling subfloors first helps buyers enjoy a better return by extending a carpet’s lifespan.

Levelling also enhances the appearance of carpeting, giving rooms a seamless and smooth finish without any unsightly bumps and humps. As well as ruining aesthetics they such eyesores also make floor less comfortable to walk on reduce the risk of trips and falls. For safety and floor stability, levelling is vital.

How to level different subfloors

Levelling all subfloors starts with identifying issues. A six-foot level is an ideal tool for finding low and high spots in the surface areas being carpeted. Afterwards, the subfloor requires a comprehensive clean that eradicates any debris. If the subfloor is concrete, imperfections can be evened out using built-for-purpose levelling compound from a trusted brand. However, for uneven wooden floorboards, you can sand down high spots and replace loose boards, or fit a thin layer of plywood or hardwood if dips exist.

When you might skip major levelling

Finally, there are instances when substantial levelling isn’t as essential. Examples include subfloors with minor imperfections and thicker underlay and carpet piles that can make them unnoticeable. However, for best results and a boost to longevity, levelling before fitting carpet is always recommended.

Flooring expert predicts top 2026 flooring trends

Flooring expert and online retailer James Higgins has analysed customer preferences and search patterns to predict the top flooring trends for 2026.

Patterned vinyl flooring was very popular in 2025, and is expected to be in high demand in 2026. James Higgins says:

“Patterned vinyl works beautifully because it combines practicality with a sense of fun. It's waterproof, easy to clean and suitable for busy households, yet it instantly transforms a space."

In 2025, carpets in cosy earth colours and beige sold well, but Higgins predicts that grey carpets will be a top trend for 2026. Customers are expected to favour soft greys or the classic “greige”, a shade midway between grey and beige. Grey carpets add a warm contemporary feel to a room and go with many decor styles.

In contrast to plain grey carpets, patterned carpets are predicted to make a revival in 2026. Bold stripes, animal prints and botanical motifs will be popular. James Higgins reports that there has been a surge in demand for leopard and tiger prints. He also points out that striped carpets have been known to have an illusional effect of making a small room appear larger.

Bold patterns on the floor create a maximalist, dramatic feel to a space, but for those who prefer a more minimalist style, James recommends carpets made from natural sisal that create an environment that feels grounded and calm.

Whatever your decor preference is, contact your local flooring retailer in North Wales to see their wide range of flooring styles and materials.

Lancashire offices install glueless carpet tiles for sustainability

Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL) recently installed new carpet tiles in offices at Lancashire Business Park.

Previously, the offices secured the carpet tiles to the floor with adhesive glue. The disadvantage of this is that the tiles are difficult to recycle, as the adhesive on worn tiles is not easily removed.

To make the carpet tiles more sustainable, the office management decided to trial carpet tiles that do not use glue. Instead, dry tack adhesive was applied to the subfloor to secure the tiles in place. If the floor needs to be removed or worn, these individual tiles must be replaced. Tiles can be easily lifted from the subfloor without leaving adhesive residue on them. This makes it easier to extract the fibres from the worn tiles for recycling.

Helen Orson, Business Park Manager at LCDL, was satisfied with the trial of the new carpet tiles. She said the carpet tiles aligned with the company’s sustainable goal of reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfills, instead aiming to recycle as much as possible.

She appreciates the ability of being able to easily uplift individual tiles for replacement. She noted that an additional benefit was that the dry tack method leaves no lingering smells after installation. Also, the installation process takes less time compared to using the traditional carpet tile adhesive method.

To see the latest innovations in carpet tiles in the Chester and North Wales region, visit your local commercial flooring retailer.