One of our London West End customers asked us to assist in the supply of carpets to decorate a large pop up tent in Mayfair that will be Covid compliant in the run up to the easing of lockdown on 12th April 2021. Forward planning was essential requiring a clear plan and choice of carpets in colour and size. A very brief working window was allowed for a rapid install working around other contractors. Quality of fixing demanded a high level of security to ensure public safety and liability.
During a visit to the local St. Laurence Church in the Shambles at Stoud Gloucesteshire a pair of runner kneelers were discovered in the Chancel largley forgotten about even to the former Church Warden. The two were made in Co. Donegal just after WWI in what would have been the newley nationalised Killybegs Mill formally owned by the Scottish indiustrialist Alexander Morten and known as the Donegal Carpet Company. The two identical size runners have been woven across what would have been the width of a very wide loom and cut down to two equal sized pieces converse to what might have been be assumed across the narrow width. According to the label the pair were obtained as the result of a commission via the furnishing store J.H. Wilkes of King Street Stroud ( town centre )1908 - 1930. Being on the supply list to the National Churches Trust we are now engaged to bring about some minor restorations and clean the runners which by the looks of things has not been done for one hundred years. When returned it is likly they will be replaced to the alter step with non slip underlay.
Having searched Central Asia for a likely partner to produce silk rugs we have settled on working with Turquoise Mountain a charitable endeavour set up in 2006 by HRH Prince of Wales ( as was then ) Rory Stewart and others to promote areas of traditional crafts in counries including Afghanistan. We will also be running a parralel trials in Turkey with our more usual producers.
A talk will be given illustrating our work with Turkish bespoke carpets made from natural dyes and hand-spun wool. The House Directory Live is hosted by the main event Battersea Decorative Fair on the mezzanine floor, where we also have a stand M03 for the duration of the fair (7-12 May). The talk will focus on the processes of commission, design, dying, weaving and final project installation.
