Capricorn Carpets

If I had to pick out just one thing from Capricorn Carpets to show you, it would be this:

Natural flooring - made from sisal or seagrass, coir (coconut husk), jute or wool. Capricorn Carpets stocks two ranges: Alternative and Crucial, and there are samples in the shop to have a feel and look at. I don't know about you, but I find the effect of natural flooring fitted in a room to be generally stunning and it goes with everything - and it's just nice having natural materials in your home.

Capricorn can also get you bespoke rugs made up, with the border or piping of your choice. I like the tapestry style borders - especially the William Morris-style oranges - because they complement the product well, but there's a wide choice of plain coloured borders for those who want to keep it simple.

Moving on to the carpets, I bring you the welcome news that you will suffer no showroom angst while browsing around in Capricorn. I so like that about this shop. It provides an environment free from both unpleasant patterns and items placed together which should not be. See the picture below for proof.

Basically you have an uncluttered space - mentally and physically - with only the things on show which should be: colours, textures and types of carpet. Good advice to hand as well. I like the Ryalux colour wheel as a way of choosing a colour that tones in with your room, and there are many carpets in natural colours too. It's also worth noting that Capricorn stocks the same wood effect flooring you see in some of the upmarket shops in town, which is actually vinyl - which I wouldn't have guessed.

Finally, if I had to pick out one piece of giftware to show you from upstairs in Capricorn, I couldn't do it. The store is deceptively big and there are rooms full of lovely gift ideas - fun, funky bits as well as the bigger ornaments, rugs and lighting. So have a view across one of the rooms, and a small selection of gifts to look at instead. I recommend a visit to see the rest.

Capricorn Carpets is at 2 Out Northgate, Bury St. Edmunds. Tel: 01284 700827. Opening times: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.