NEWS
THE EDIT Editor-at-Large Kate Freud tells the story behind brands adding vibrant, sustainable and British-made designs to interiors MIND THE GAP Given its impact on interiors, it is always surprising to find that the Transylvanian home furnishings brand Mind the Gap is only in its sixth year. Founders Stefan Ormenisan and Victor Serban, began by creating wallpapers and wall art before branching out into fabrics, furniture, lighting and accessories. Creators of ‘moods, stories and lifestyles’, the duo behind Mind the Gap are known for returning to their roots, with ranges inspired by their evocative homeland. A melting pot of people, cultures and religions, from Saxons and Hungarians to Gypsies and Jews, surrounded by mountains and forests, despite their lack of wealth the Transylvanian people would attach embroidered textiles to soften wooden furniture, and trimmed tasselled lamps to brighten the dark winter nights. This spring, look out for the Woodstock collection, encompassing wallpapers, furniture, fabric, cushions, lighting and new for this year – rugs. Think swirling forms and vivid colour combinations reminiscent of the swinging Sixties. mindtheg.com
ALTERNATIVE FLOORING The award-winning British brand Alternative Flooring has been championing design, craft and manufacturing in the UK for over 25 years, bringing beautiful and innovative designs to floors. Whether looking for carpets, rugs or runners, there is an astonishing array of colour and pattern, all made from fine wool, natural and faux fibres. Proud of its green credentials, Alternative Flooring now has a new Planet Pledge with Ecologi, which funds some of the world’s best climate crisis solutions via tree-planting and carbon-reduction projects. Not only that, it has been busy designing its collections, including the Woosie – a patterned wool and sisal mix flooring new for SS22, the classic Wool Motown carpet and the brilliantly versatile Herringstripe flatweave (shown here), the perfect backdrop for any interior. alternativeflooring.com 30 THE ENGLISH HOME
