The Rug Company is the collaborative effort of 1,662 people. From the spinners and weavers, to the people who deliver and lay the finished rug, the result of all these diverse and individual contributions is a hand knotted rug that will last for generations.
We share a collective pride that we produce and source the finest rugs in the world. Undoubtedly a bold claim, but one that we believe to be true. Sourcing interesting, exceptional pieces requires travel, an addiction to collecting and the ability to spot the extraordinary. We know that during the four months it takes to make each of our rugs, we use the same undiluted craft that was used a hundred years ago.
We understand the importance of the raw material because we know that a rug is only as good as the fibre it is woven from. We use wool that comes from high on the Tibetan plateau, wool that is so rich in natural lanolin that it is oily to the touch. It must be handled by the spinners, weavers and dyers with such reverence that it loses none of its extraordinary properties.
We are consumed by the importance of design. We want to work with designers whose commercial success is not a goal but a by-product of their creativity, ability and originality.
We understand the importance of selecting the right rug for each room and we appreciated that this is a process – a narrative – that will take time and can’t be hurried.
Making Rugs By Hand
A hand knotted or hand woven rug represents the remarkable achievement of many highly skilled artisans. There are few, if any, other items you can purchase for your home on which more care and handwork has been lavished.
Every stage of this ancient craft, from spinning the wool to trimming the pile of the finished rug, is carried out by hand – not out of stubbornness but because there is no better way of making a rug.
Many modern rugs are described as hand tufted or hand finished. These are made by the much less intensive process of hand gluing yarn onto a base material, producing a rug that is inexpensive to make, but has a short life and is difficult to repair.
Every piece at The Rug Company has been crafted by hand in the same way that it always has been, except to this rich tradition we have added the best designs for our contemporary world.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
“Ever since we founded The Rug Company in 1997, we have endeavoured to create the most desirable rugs in the world. Uniquely, we achieve this by combining the ancient craft of rug making with the creative brilliance of some of today’s most talented designers. Our rugs are beautiful, distinctive and original.
We don’t cut corners and truly understand the unique heritage and significance of traditional rug artisanship. Our weavers continue to craft the rugs entirely by hand, using the very same techniques their ancestors did. Our raw materials are naturally luxurious and are handled with such reverence that they lose none of their extraordinary properties during the production process.
This ensures that every handmade piece is entirely individual. We’re obsessive about good design and are always striving to innovate and inspire. We understand the importance of service and our sales team not only have an expert understanding of the rugs but also how to best use and place them. They will go to great lengths to guide you through the rug buying process, helping you find the perfect piece.”
Christopher & Suzanne Sharp
Why make rugs in Nepal?
We are proud to support the local craftsmanship of Nepal and are pleased to champion a beautiful heritage, which is in danger of extinction. Nepal’s long and proud tradition of weaving enables us to create rugs of unparalleled quality and beauty. The Rug Company is the biggest importer of rugs from Nepal, making a vital contribution to the Nepalese economy and providing sustainable employment to a large number of people.
We are constantly striving to improve the rug industry both ethically and environmentally. The welfare of the weavers is of paramount importance to us, and we are committed to ensuring the working environment, housing, education and health needs of our employees are met. An experienced consultant continually assists us to ensure that we are working towards local and international standards.
GoodWeave
The Rug Company is pleased to be a licensee of GoodWeave, a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring no child labour is used in any of its registered productions. The GoodWeave label is the best assurance that no child labour was employed in the making of that rug, and a percentage of the cost of labeled rugs goes to support GoodWeave schools in India and Nepal. To be certified by GoodWeave, weavers sign a legally binding contract to produce rugs without child labor, and to allow unannounced inspections of their workshops by GoodWeave agents.
For further information on GoodWeave please visit www.goodweave.org
DESIGNERS
We collaborate with some of the world’s most inspired and respected designers. Be they masters of print, fashion, art, architecture, interior or product design, we work closely with each one, harnessing their creative brilliance and translating their unique vision into beautiful rugs.
SHOP COLLECTIONS
https://youtu.be/ONgeDJryXks
