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Interior Designer Isobel Bjornstad talks about     flat-woven carpet

The most exciting floorcovering discovery for me this year is flat-woven carpet. The styling effects that can be achieved with Mariners Knot and Falmouth Weave from the Cormar Plainly Good range, are exactly what I have been looking to achieve - a modern look with the warmth only pure new wool can give.

Interestingly,the weaving principles are exactly the same for a piece of fine linen or flat-woven carpet and in each case the threads of the fabric consist of warp yarns - which run the length of the fabric/carpet and weft yarns - which traverse the width of the fabric/carpet. Many well known makes of hand made and machine produced rugs are also produced on flat-weave looms, for example 'kelim rugs'.

Mariners Knot Falmouth Weave

As the name suggests flat-woven carpets are indeed flat in comparison to other forms of carpeting and because the yarn lies flat, there is a lesser tendency to pilling, fuzzing and tracking in the heavy traffic areas. Furthermore, dust and grime cannot penetrate the pile. A flat-woven carpet is ideal for laying under rugs as the firmness of the pile prevents the rug from wandering. Flat-weave is also suitable for underfloor heating.

The installation of flat-weave carpets is very similar to the installation of axminster carpets. The same fitting instructions can be applied to both carpets. Style is instinctive, it's a way of life. Flat-wovens enhance that feeling. Isobel Bjornstad

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