The minimalism - some would say blandness - of home interiors of the past five years is on the wane. More ornate furniture is being seen; along with much bolder colours, patterns and textures in wallcoverings and accessories. Although plain carpets still hold sway, there is a move towards more pattern, more texture and richer colours.

Which is why reaction to Edel Telenzo's new Tube Collection of striped carpets has been so positive. Stripes make a refreshing, eye-catching change in a sea of plains in-store. "Used well in displays, they can really help to sell through the range," says Philip Hopkins, sales director of Edel Telenzo Carpets UK.

The Tube Collection, which fits into the company's Grand Creations collection is a fine gauge loop design in 100% Pure New three-ply Wool, which consists of Jubilee, a broad two-colour stripe design in black and white, brown and white, grey, brown and white, green and white, and sand and white; Mainline, a fine two-colour stripe in black and grey, grey and white, sand and dark brown, brown and beige, and dark and light sand ; and Piccadilly, a multi-stripe which co-ordinates with the other two.

"Even so-called natural tones are becoming stronger," says Philip Hopkins. "Colours such as oranges, browns and reds are coming through, alongside black and white, to complement a big decorating penchant for monochrome / metallic schemes."

Having a heavy duty rating, the range has been aimed at the contract market as well as the interior design and domestic sectors and is available in the usual four and five metre widths. The designs look fantastic in any room but are specifically suited to staircases and to narrower halls and landings, where patterned carpets are more often selected as being more suited than plain to higher traffic.

All Edel Telenzo's carpets are 'recyclable' 'renewable' and 'biodegradable' and steps have been taken to reduce the company's own carbon footprint through energy saving at the production plant.

Philip Hopkins has been appointed sales director at Edel Telenzo Carpets UK, the UK subsidiary of the Dutch manufacturers of wool and synthetic carpets for both domestic and contract markets.

Philip has spent his 30 year career mostly in the textile industry – for the past 10 years in home furnishings textiles with Laura Ashley and the American venture capital group, Strategic, whose many business interests included British Trimmings, Wendy Cushing and Simplicity.

His appointment comes as John Hone, who has headed the UK business of Telenzo Carpets for almost 30 years and the combined Edel Telenzo UK operations for the past three, winds down towards full retirement in late spring of 2008. The Dutch group’s chief executive officer, René Frederiks has taken on the role of managing director of Edel Telenzo UK, with Lesley Inman in charge of operations and marketing.

“Edel Telenzo has a fantastic product; I’m here to make sure our sales team are fully supported and supplied with everything they need to deliver a superb service,” says Philip. “We’ve already had a good look at revitalising existing ranges, developing new product and set schedules for launch dates. We are making a serious investment in new point of sale units which we believe will further improve our service and our market share. We have also brought our sampling service back to the UK, for example, which should noticeably improve efficiency.”

Philip is married to Jackie and between them they have four children aged 20, 21, 22 and 25. He enjoys playing tennis, socialising with friends and plays the guitar – “Anything from classical to Clapton!”

Attendance by UK visitors held up at, this year’s Domotex exhibition on the Edel Telenzo stand. “We had around the same number of UK visitors this year as last – and last year was a good year,” said office manager Lesley Inman.

“We had a new look stand which went down well with visitors and new products to show which were also well-received,” said newly appointed sales director Philip Hopkins.

“We’ve re-coloured some ranges, re-specified others with new yarns and we’re introducing eight new qualities in the next couple of months. And we’ve taken a modest, middle line on our prices, which re-assured many customers concerned about currency fluctuations.

“We start 2008 with some very positive adjustments to the business which will drastically improve our service – so although we recognise that it’s not going to be the easiest of trading years, we’re very optimistic.”

90 YEARS YOUNG

Edel Telenzo celebrated the start of its 90th anniversary year in style at Domotex with an after show party on its stand, attended by more than 100 customers, staff and fellow Dutch manufacturers. Good food and plenty of wine were coupled with some sparkling musical entertainment provided by export manager Robert Mulder on the piano – at one stage accompanying Edel Telenzo UK’s very own John Hone in a magnificent rendition of Living Doll!