Gone but not forgotten

the BIA has seen new winners

The interiors sector has recently lost two great stalwarts: Roger Oates and Peter Lynas. Oates and his wife Fay Morgan Oates transformed the stair runner business, making it a fashion item. In the late 1980s, the owners of a large country residence approached them with an historic flatwoven fragment that had been discovered hidden under the floorboards. These types of coverings, common in the 18th century, were usually plain in colour and void of pattern. This unique piece, worn and heavily faded, revealed vibrant colour choice and deliberate pattern design. Instantly inspired, the couple began a journey that saw them develop Venetian Flatweave into the highly distinctive decorative floorcovering it is today. It may seem a simple idea but no-one had developed it before.

Lynas was born into the flooring industry: the company was founded in 1826. For decades he ran the business as a sole trader: with none of the financial protection that being a director of a limited company gives.

He always explained to me that this was being honest and a man of his word: if he couldn’t pay a bill, why would anyone trust him? I remember in my youth my local electrical retailer went under: he too was a sole trader and lost his house and everything else. As well as being a true gentleman, Lynas will be long remembered for his integrity and the advice he gave to others, including Metro (for which he was a board member of many years) and the Carpet Foundation.

Our thoughts are with both families.

The Bed Industry Awards saw new and old winners. Of course, with awards there can only be one winner per category. As a co-judge of the retailer categories, I have to say that the standard is higher than ever. I also expect the market will be further significantly disrupted in the next couple of years by profitable players. Being a finalist, let alone a winner, is something to shout about. If you sell beds and didn’t enter, make sure you do for 2024.

Interiors Monthly October 2023

Inside This Issue

NEWS

4Annual growth in sales

6 Knoll takes concession route

10 Roger Oates and Peter Lynas die

FEATURES

12New products

16Service

A very tight competition

18Sustainability

Bright idea

20Upholstery

Rockin’ chairs, shaggy tales, complete package

30Rugs

A beacon of creativity

36Outdoor

AI central

40 B eds and bedroom

Bed Industry Awards, recycling matters, sleeping easy

50 Preview

Flanders Flooring Days, VIFA EXPO

56Review

CIFF, VIFA ASEAN, The Flooring Show

91 Trade products and services

Meeting your needs

Editor: Andrew Kidd

T: 01273 930 029 E: akidd@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Furniture advertising (South): Tim Boden

M: 07976 122 150 E: tboden@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Furniture advertising (North): Jarrod Bird

T: 01565 631 397 E: jbird@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Carpet, flooring advertising: Joanne Paull

M: 07817 624 922 E: jpaull@interiorsmonthly.co.uk

Representative in India: Amarjeet Singh Gianni

T: 0091 98390 35458 E: as_gianni@yahoo.co.in

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