Alternative Flooring has joined award-winning designer Ella Doran to tell the transformational tale of British wool at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP). The Sheep to Seat, Fleece to Floor exhibition follows the journey of wool from the sheep which graze the historic landscape of the park, from shearing to scouring, spinning to weaving and design to product development.

Doran has worked closely with YSP’s tenant farmers, British Wool and British manufacturers including Alternative Flooring, to transform this raw material into interior furnishings. Featuring her Waterlake design, a distinctive pattern inspired by the movement of water and flora on the estate at YSP, Alternative Flooring have produced a unique Waterlake runner. Dyed to specific colours from Doran’s chosen palette, the yarn is expertly woven by Alternative Flooring on Axminster narrow- width looms to create a luxurious runner, bringing together traditional techniques and contemporary design, and providing a plush exhibition centrepiece.

Ella Doran says:“I am very excited to be working on this project with YSP, featuring the journey of British wool, culminating in my exhibition in June. It celebrates the park’s resources, its beauty, and the joy of creativity and collaboration. I hope to shed light on the amazing range of processes that wool goes through in order to become a finished product and how nothing goes to waste.”

Lorna Haigh, Creative and Marketing Director of Alternative Flooring says, “Wool floorcoverings have such a story to tell pure craft, which also celebrates British manufacturing – we like the term ‘manucrafting’. This whole project is the story of this wonderful process using this wonder fibre. The new wave or patterned carpets are art-inspired and Ella’s contemporary take with Waterlake is just perfect’.”

Alternative Flooring with Ella Doran Waterlake limited-edition runners (only 10 available using fleece from YSP sheep) in Blue are available to buy online at Alternative Flooring and Ella Doran from June 2019. RRP £450.00 Size 2.7m x 0.69m.

Production of the design in various colours available from September 2019.

Alternative Flooring: 4 Stephenson Close, East Portway, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3RU.

T: +44 (0)1264 335111

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