Frequently Asked Questions

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Product

What’s the difference between handmade and machine-made rugs?

In our opinion, the exceptional quality and uniqueness of a handmade textile simply cannot be replicated using a machine. We instead embrace the organic nature and natural variation found in every piece. While rugs made by machine often appear more ‘perfect’, handwoven techniques produce pieces that are distinctive, soulful and one-of-a-kind. Read more about our commitment to craftsmanship.

What’s the difference between a flatweave, a hand-tufted rug and a hand-knotted rug?

You can read more about the different types of rug we offer and how they’re made here.

When you say a rug can be made custom or bespoke, what do you mean?

Depending on where you are in the world, the terms ‘custom’ and ‘bespoke’ may be used interchangeably to denote pieces that are individually produced to a particular specification. Aside from our stock pieces, all of our rugs are handmade-to-order in this way. This gives us a huge scope for creativity and the opportunity to craft a piece that is perfectly suited to your room.

We offer a wide variety of designs in our library, which can all be customised according to your exact requirements in terms of colour and size. We are able to alter the scale of the pattern (which can have a big impact on the overall feel of the design), add or remove a border and adjust the exact material composition to suit your requirements. We also have over 3,000 colours to choose from.

Alternatively, we are always open to new inspiration if you have something specific in mind and welcome the opportunity to collaborate on a completely unique piece. In the past, we have taken inspiration from vintage textiles, photographs and a myriad of treasured objects and possessions.

The level of customisation is entirely up to you. Our website offers a variety of colour options and rug qualities as examples of what can be produced. It may be that you find your perfect design here and wish to purchase directly through the webshop. Alternatively, please contact our studio and we can advise on custom options to perfectly suit your space.

Where are your rugs made?

Every piece is individually handcrafted in Bhadohi, India or Kathmandu, Nepal (depending on the style of weave). We value the strong relationships we have with our weaving centres and share the same dedication to quality and ethical trading.

How long will it take for my rug to be made?

Depending on the style of rug and complexity of the design, our rugs take an average of 10-20 weeks to be woven, finished and transported. Every step is done entirely by hand so it can not be rushed. Throughout the process, we will receive images from the weaving centres of your rug taking form – so we always send these on to you where possible.

If you have a special request deadline do let us know. Depending on the time of year we may be able to improve lead times significantly.

We also carry a small number of stock rugs, which are available for immediate delivery.

Ordering

Can I order samples?

Absolutely! Please contact our studio to order colour yarns or returnable samples of any of our rugs.

What is the tolerance for size and colour variation?

The industry standard for handmade rugs allows for a 5% variation in terms of size and colour. As our pieces are handmade-to-order, the yarns are dyed specifically for your rug and the loom is built to the exact size. Our dyers and weavers are specialists in their craft, however, considerations such as gravity (since most of our looms are vertical), temperature and the weather give way to natural variation. Every rug is meticulously examined for quality and checked against the standard colour poms before it is shipped.

Which fibre/material should I choose?

There are so many wonderful fibres to choose from. We most often use Himalayan or New Zealand wool for their strength and softness and may also incorporate natural or bamboo silk to the design for a lustrous effect. For hard-wearing, invicible rugs you can use our sustainable /re/PURPOSE PERFORMANCE fibres which are bleach-cleanable and moisture-resistant. Discover all about material considerations in our Buyer’s Guide.

What rug options are available for high-traffic areas (hallways, main sitting areas etc)?

Hand-knotted rugs and flatweave rugs are popular choices for high-traffic areas. Knotted rugs are dense and will last forever with proper care and maintenance. Flatweaves are tightly woven and reversible, which helps to extend their life even further. Wool is naturally stain-resistant so is always a great option. More delicate yarns such as bamboo silk and natural silk can also be added where desired – but there is an extra care consideration as these fibres should avoid contact with liquids. You can also request the option of AquaDefence stain guard through our studio, which helps to further protect your rug.

Can you create any size rug?

Yes! Every loom is built especially for your rug so can be made to any size.

How do I measure for a rug?

Please take a look at our Rug Measuring Guide for assistance. If you are located in London, do contact our studio as someone may be able to assist with a site visit if needed.

How do returns work?

Stock rugs and cushions purchased online can be returned to us (at buyer’s expense) within 7 days for a full refund, provided that the item is in its original condition.

Please note: Returns are not possible on any handmade-to-order items as these are unique pieces commissioned specifically for you.

Care

How should I clean and care for my rug?

Regular maintenance will always help to extend the life of your rug. If properly cared for, a hand-knotted rug will last for generations. You’re probably best heading over to our Rug Care Guide for general information and tips. For any specific queries, please contact our studio.

Will the colours on my rug fade?

We use the highest quality Swiss dyes that are both rich in pigment and non-toxic. Since our rugs are made of natural fibres, they will be impacted to some extent by the sun. For this reason, spaces with very bright sunlight may better suit a neutral or light-coloured rug where the effects of fading will be less noticeable. We always recommend rotating your rugs occasionally to minimise the effects of direct sun. Our AquaDefence stain guard treatment also helps to mitigate the impact of UV light.

Can I put heavy furniture on top of my rug?

Heavy furniture will naturally flatten the pile of your rug. We suggest furniture cups/casters and rotating your rug regularly to lessen indentation.

Can I put a rug under my dining table?

Of course! We find that low-pile rugs such as flatweaves and hand-knotted pieces with a short pile are best here so chairs can slide in and out without catching. The rug should also be large enough so that the chairs do not fall off the edge when pulled out. A rule of thumb is to measure the dining table and add approximately 150cm (59”) to the length and/or width, depending on the shape of the table and layout of the room.

How do I lay the rug underlay/pad?

We use a high-grade felt underlay called Foxi Super Plus Non-Slip, which is 5mm thick. On hard floors, we recommend laying the underlay with the white side up and the fox face facing down – and vice versa if laying on a carpet.

We recommend marking the exact position of the rug before laying the underlay as once down, you should avoid moving the underlay. The more often Foxi is moved, the more it attracts dust and other particles, thus making it less effective.

Foxi is non-tacky so will not leave any residue and not stick to wood floors when warm. We advise against hoovering Foxi.

Please contact our studio if you would like to purchase underlay.

I noticed you use a latex backing for tufted rugs. What is that?

Latex is a rubber-like material that helps to hold the yarns in place once they have been pulled through a canvas base. We then place a woven backing on top to cover the latex matting. This is one of the reasons our tufted rugs tend to be slightly thicker as standard than a knotted piece.

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