Craftsmanship

There are few items you can purchase which evidence such luxuriant care and attention as a hand crafted rug. Every rug tells a story; the story of its heritage through the techniques used, of the carefully selected materials, the designer’s inspiration and of your collaboration with us. In this way your rug is entirely unique.

The creation of our rugs starts with the selection of the raw materials. Our extensive experience is used to choose materials for their natural properties so they both enhance the design and work seamlessly with the weaving technique used.

There are up to fifteen people involved in the production of a single rug; including Master Dyers, weavers and finishers many of whom have apprenticed for over a decade to hone their skills. Our master dyer has been dying wool for twenty-five years. It is his experience of matching colours and preparing dyes that ensures the fidelity and richness of the finished piece. Where large pieces are concerned weavers work in synchronicity. Often it will be a husband and wife as they must work as one, weaving at the same speed and tension to ensure your rug has a uniformity to its appearance.

Rug shown: Bespoke hand tufted wool rug created for US residence.

Crafting rugs on a made to order basis means that we can draw from a range of sumptuous raw materials, artisan weaving styles and our designer’s skills so that the final piece can be refined to give both private and commercial clients the very best experience underfoot and for the eyes without sacrificing the rugs suitability for its intended use and location.

Weaving Techniques

Our weaving legacy is such that we are able to weave in a range of styles, all with their own distinctive look and feel and individual characteristics. All our hand-knotted rugs enjoy the suppleness of a dense fabric and possess extraordinary longevity. As a guide more knots per square inch deliver a more defined pattern and increased durability, while looser weaves produce a storied, artisanal look. Available in knot densities of up to a staggering 500,000 knots pm2. Our range of weaving techniques include:

• Hand-knotting
• Hand-tufting
• Hand-looming
• Dhurries/Kilim (flatweave)
• Jacquard
• Shag pile
• Patchworking in hide
• Hand carving
• Loop cutting
• Gradation
• Silk/Art silk accents

Materials

When choosing a fine raw material consideration is given to its natural resilience, feel and also it’s light reflecting properties. Much of the emotional character of a rugs appearance arises from the way different fibers reflect the light and the combination of these fibers creates an almost painterly effect. Silk, bamboo silk and art silk (rayon) are undoubtedly the most lustrous with mohair and New Zealand wool providing a more uniform, matte colouration. Our range of materials encompasses:

• New Zealand wool
• Mohair
• Angora wool
• Pure wool
• Silk
• Bamboo Silk
• Rayon (Art silk)
• Cotton
• Cowhide
• Grasses - Seagrass, Coir, Sisal & Jute

Whatever your choice you can be re-assured that every skein of wool is dyed, knot tied or tuft is carefully applied by hand using techniques that have been developed and refined over centuries. They are our heritage.