Page 32 - CFJ_Apr26

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

MANUFACTURER’S CORNER

Karndean Designflooring’s journey has been driven by design and practicality says Fleur Carson, Karndean
Designflooring managing director

‘From family start up to global flooring brand’

Q Tell me a little about the history of the user and the space. For us, flooring is what we’re best at. We are specialists in
your company? about how it makes people feel, whether LVT, and that focus isn’t changing.
A We’ve been in the flooring world for that’s calm, safe, happy or simply ready
over fifty years now, but we’ve always to get things done. Every product has Q What’s the secret to a successful
stuck to what we do best: beautifully a purpose, and we want it to feel like a flooring installation?
designed luxury vinyl. Karndean started natural part of someone’s sanctuary. A A successful flooring installation is
back in 1973 when Mike Walker set up Great design should be accessible to all about striking the perfect balance
a small business from his family home. everyone, whether they’re shopping between showcasing the product and
He was a flooring installer himself, so he through a merchant, a retailer or a creating the right atmosphere. It’s
knew what customers and fitters were designer. That’s why we focus on not just about laying planks or tiles
up against and wanted to make great combining beauty, performance and total correctly; it’s about imagining the space,
products easier for everyone to get their peace of mind. understanding how people will use it
hands on. Nature is a huge influence for us. Our and bringing that vision to life. The most
His hands-on experience is what led design team studies every knot, tone effective installations happen when you
him to luxury vinyl. He saw its potential and texture to make sure our floors feel get creative, and when you play with light,
straight away: natural looking designs that authentic and full of character. At the texture and layout, and allow the design
are also durable, practical and easy to live same time, performance really matters. to support the feeling you want the room
with. That idea has guided us ever since. From improved acoustics in Knight Tile to evoke.
What began as a small family business Quiet to the enhanced slip resistance When craft meets creativity, the result
has grown into a global flooring specialist, in our new Opus designs, we’re always is a floor that performs beautifully and
but the heart of the company hasn’t pushing for better. And we love surprising transforms the space around it.
changed. We still obsess over the details, people with new patterns, including some
we still design with care and we’re still bold patterned tiles arriving this June. Q Who, outside your company, do you
focused on making products that look What sets us apart is our attention to most admire in the industry?
beautiful and last. detail and the fact that we stay true to A I’m especially inspired by the
At the end of the day, Karndean is all innovators who are reshaping traditional
about one thing: helping people create home improvement categories. Paint
spaces that feel like home. is a great example. It’s an industry that
had been fairly static for decades, yet
Q When and why did you join the a new wave of brands has come in and
company? completely rethought the experience
A I joined Karndean in July 2018 to from the ground up. They’ve modernised
help grow and shape the commercial colour choice, simplified the buying
side of the business, building on its journey and used digital tools in smart,
strong retail heritage and bringing more intuitive ways that genuinely support the
focus to specification and end user end user.
relationships. From there, my role grew What I admire most is their ability to
from Commercial Sales Director to VP of break long standing norms while still
Sales across retail and commercial, and keeping quality and craft at the centre.
in October 2023 I became Managing They prove that even in a well established
Director. It’s something I’d always category, you can still surprise
aimed for, and it’s a real privilege to people, make things easier
do it here. Karndean is fast paced, and create a more enjoyable,
innovative and full of energy, and accessible process. That level of
it’s an exciting place to lead. fresh thinking keeps everyone
on their toes and pushes the
Q Why are your company’s whole interiors sector forward.
products different than your
competitors’ products and Q What three challenges do you
what’s the secret to creating feel the industry is facing and
a successful flooring what are you doing to overcome
product? these (sustainability, supply,
A We always start with consumer confidence, etc)? 

32 CFJ April 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
@CFJMagazine