Roger Oates

Roger Oates and his wife Fay Morgan met at the Royal College of Art where Oates graduated in Industrial Carpet Design and Morgan graduated in Textiles. In 1977, they began working and designing together, creating the partnership Morgan & Oates designing rugs, throws and scarves for the interior design trade. In 1989, they founded Roger Oates Design Associates, the studio employed several handloom weavers and hand-tufters producing rugs and carpets. In 1993, the company converted derelict barns into offices, design studios and workshops. The company's first retail showroom opened on this site in 1994.

They have gone strength to strength ever since, opening a showroom in Chelsea and continuously launching new amazing products. Since 1993, Roger Oates has sold Venetian Flatweave, designed and woven in the United Kingdom on specially adapted narrow width looms for floor runners. The heavy woven fabric is fitted onto staircases by trained fitters, and can be fitted around corners and on winding stairs. The warp is always striped, and so the company produces and is known for a variety of stripe designs. In 2010 Roger Oates launched the Real Shetland Wool Flatweave Collection, made using British wool, becoming a supporter of HRH The Prince of Wales' Campaign for Wool. The company's wool carpets have been praised as eco-friendly because wool is biodegradable.