Designer Rugs

Our History

In 1986 Yosi Tal together with his parents Eli and Nurit saw an opportunity in the marketplace to launch a handmade rug company. With little experience in manufacturing and design, the trio began producing hand-tufted designer rugs in their 3000 square foot Marrickville factory, and Designer Rugs was born.

Their big break came when Designer Rugs was commissioned to create a rug for St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne for the Pope’s 1986 visit. From there, Parliament House commissioned four rugs for the Queen’s Bicentennial visit in 1988, and our reputation for premium design and craft was established.

We carved a niche for ourselves as a design-led company, resisting the sedated greys and pinks of the 1980s by injecting bold, striking colours into reserved interior environments. High-quality manufacturing was also integral to achieving such results – hand-tufting the rugs ourselves and using the finest New Zealand wool from our own local dye houses ensured that the rugs befit the quality of the design.

Designer Rugs continued to focus on our design credentials, working closely with Australia’s best architects and designers from early on – supplying rugs for world-renowned Australian architect Harry Seidler was a high point from which we continued to go from strength to strength during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Working on designer collaborations across a wide variety of fields, from fashion to interiors, jewelry, architecture, fine art, and beyond, is arguably what pushed Designer Rugs’ collections in such exciting directions.

Some of the first was by a painter and tapestry-maker Alun Leach-Jones; and fashion designer Linda Jackson, whose rug ‘Hibiscus and Hacienda’ is in the collection of the Powerhouse Museum.

Over the past 34 years, Designer Rugs have collaborated with iconic Australian artists and designers such as Catherine Martin, Akira Isogawa, Dinosaur Designs, and Minnie Pwerle.

Designer Rugs continues to be commissioned on significant local and international projects, including the Australian Embassy in Paris and Tokyo, Laucula Island Resort in Fiji, Faena Hotel Miami, Corrs Chambers Westgarth offices, Westpac Barangaroo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Emirates One&Only resorts in Hayman Island and Wolgan Valley. Other prominent projects include the Emirates Birdcage marquee, as well as a restoration project for the State Theatre in Sydney for which we recreated the original carpet from 1928 – something that had never been done before.

Today, Designer Rugs has grown in both size and reputation, becoming the foremost manufacturer and supplier of custom-made rugs and carpets in Australia and an internationally recognised design company.

Responsible Manufacturing

Our environmental and social responsibilities are of paramount importance, and we are committed to the long-term aims of sustainable and ethical development in all our business activities.

Environment

Designer Rugs is dedicated to the improvement of sustainability. We are constantly striving to improve our environmental performance and reduce our impact on the environment.

We produce high-quality products, designed to stand the tests of time. Not only are we proud to supply premium products to our clients, but it also reflects our stance on the environmental impact of planned obsolesce – the long lifecycle of our product means reduced waste. In our rug production, processes are hand controlled to reduce wastage and our carbon footprint.

Designer Rugs recognises the importance of renewable materials. Wool forms the major component of our product, which is a naturally renewable and sustainable product. Sheep are part of the natural carbon cycle, consuming the organic carbon stored in plants and converting it to wool. This hard-wearing fibre is also biodegradable at the end of its lifespan.

We aim to use distribution methods for our products that are environmentally friendly, re-using packaging as much as we can and providing reusable rug bags where possible. We encourage the return and reuse of samples and tufts provided for the product selection process to reduce the impact of sample and tuft production.

Internally, our respect for the environment extends to our office policies, where we aim to communicate digitally wherever possible to prevent unnecessary printing. We practice a policy of working without electric lights if they are not required and of ensuring all power is only used when absolutely necessary and we recycle everything we can.

We enable specifiers to meet their environmental commitments without compromising aesthetics and quality. Our 100% NZ Wool Products have been tested to the Carpet and Rug Institute Green label Specification (Green Star IEQ-13) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the results indicate the products are low-VOC emitting. Specifying and using these products contributes one credit point under the Green Star Design IEQ-13 credit.

Indigenous Collections

“We believe it is important to keep indigenous art alive through a younger generation. Commercial collaborations like this should not only support young artists financially but also show them that being an artist is a viable career. Nurturing that motivation to create is critical in keeping this unique art form alive.” Designer Rugs founder, Yosi Tal.

Designer Rugs has released three Indigenous collections – with iconic artist Minnie Pwerle in 2008, the Yulparitja collection from the Bidyadanga artist group in 2017, and emerging Torres Strait Islander artist Tamika Grant-Iramu in 2022.

Each rug sold generates royalties for the artists and their families, and also gives back to their communities.

For each collaboration, we take great care to accurately translate the energy and subtle details of the original work. Our designers use their expertise and employ innovative technique to capture the painterly effect and original intention of the artist.

We also restrict customisation for some collections in order to retain the original proportions and colours of the artwork.

Through these collaborations, we gain a great deal of insight into the nuances, history and importance of the artists work.

We aim to pass this meaning along to a new audience, who then go on to engage with the original artists and with other indigenous artists.

While we have a wide range of styles, colours, and sizes available, sometimes a bespoke rug is the best way to attain the best fit for your space.

Custom Made

Almost all of our designs can be custom-made to create a rug that is perfectly suited to your home. Get creative by selecting your own colours, shapes, sizes, and even materials to design the rug of your dreams.

Our knowledgeable showroom staff can help you select from hundreds of shades, or can even assist with matching paint chips, upholstery samples, artworks, and more. Both our in-house and designer collections can be transformed into hall runners, circular rugs, oval rugs, stair runners, wall-to-wall – all made to order to fit your home.

Custom rugs are not just for interior design professionals – anyone can create a unique rug, whether it’s for a single room or your whole house.

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The Custom Rug Journey

1. The Design Consultation

The first step of the custom made process is perhaps one of the most exciting.

Using your chosen source of inspiration – whether it’s paint chips, fabric swatches, artwork, room images, floor plans or simply your imagination - we will help you select one of our existing designs to customise or recommend a brand new design to bring your ideas to life.

The colour selection process is an important stage of the design consultation- our consultants will work closely with you to create colour solutions that will match and complement any colour scheme.

When it comes to size, we can create a rug to fit any dimension or any shape you require; or help determine what size rug best suits your interior.

We offer textures and finishes of the highest standards that include New Zealand wool, silk, bamboo and textured yarns, in cut, loop and shag pile, and can also offer carved lines. We can also provide advice on construction, whether hand-knotted, hand-tufted or even Axminster carpet.

Learn more about our materials, constructions and finishes on our Materials & Constructions page.

LEARN MORE

2. Artwork Presentation & Approval

Once the design and colour have been selected, our design team will prepare and present you with artwork to scale.

This will include final colour finishes and other samples that will allow you to visualise your finished rug. Upon your approval, the production process can begin.

3. The Finished Rug

Like all of our rugs, your custom made rug will be hand made by skilled craftspeople. This specialised process can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to complete depending on the size, design details and construction of your rug.

The Designer Rugs team will oversee the entire production of your rug, leaving you to sit back and wait for that exciting phone call that lets you know it has arrived.

Be inspired by some of our designs in the Project Galleries.

Care + Maintenance

Knowing how to clean your rug and maintain its appearance is important to ensure your rug has a long life. Please follow these care instructions to keep your rug looking its best and brightest.

Preferred Cleaner Network

We advise professional cleaning for all our rugs and recommend the following cleaners – if none of these are located in your area, please contact us for recommendations in other states

Devine Rug Care

17 Mitchell Rd,
Brookvale, NSW 2100
phone: (02) 9982 1000
website: rugclean.com.au

MilliCare Australia Pty Ltd

phone: 0412 462 697
email: alex@millicare.com.au
website: millicare.com.au

Able Carpet Care

5/6 Coora Rd
Oakleigh South VIC 3167
phone: (03) 9562 7565
website: ablecarpetcare.com.au

MilliCare Victoria Pty Ltd

phone: 0415 667 564
email: riaan@millicare.com.au
website: millicare.com.au

Premier Rug Cleaning Services

phone: 1800 655 949
email: admin@premierrugcleaning.com.au
website: premiererugcleaning.com.au

Treating Spills

To avoid permanent stains or damage, we recommend cleaning up all spills as soon as possible. Before treating any spills, please familiarize yourself with your rug or carpet’s materials, as different fibres can react differently to chemicals and even plain water.

Bamboo / Art Silk / Viscose – do not wet your rug. Follow step 1 below, then seek advice from a professional cleaner.

For all other materials, we recommend following the steps below if spills occur. If you have any doubt, please consult a professional cleaner.

Designer Rugs recommends the use of the Capture Cleaning Powder by milliCare.

1. Scrape up any solids with a spoon or dustpan, and carefully blot (do not rub) any liquid with a paper towel or other colourfast absorbent material, working from the outside towards the centre.
2. Sprinkle Capture Cleaning powder to completely cover the stain.
3. Activate the powder by lightly brushing it in using the provided brush, using a north-south/east-west motion – do not scrub.
4. Wait until totally dry, then vacuum up soil-laden Capture Powder – do not use a rotating or brush head vacuum as this can damage the rug.
5. For coloured and highly pigmented products, such as paint, nail polish, lipstick, and dyes, we recommend that you do not treat these spills yourself, as it may result in a larger stain that will not be removable. We advise contacting a cleaner from our Preferred Cleaner Network.

Additional Notes on Cleaning

Using hot water to clean your rug is strongly discouraged.

Do not steam clean or dry-clean your rug, and avoid harsh chemicals.

Our rugs are not machine-washable.

If you get mud on your rug, we advise you to allow it to dry and gently brush it off.

A professional cleaning every one to two years is recommended to ensure the longevity and hygiene of your rug. Only use a qualified professional -untrained operators may do your rugs more harm than good. Refer to our Preferred Cleaner Network for our recommended cleaners in your area.

General Care

Avoid folding your rug for long periods of time such as in storage, instead, roll the rug with the back of the rug on the outside.

Direct sunlight will cause fading – avoid direct exposure to sunlight.

Do not keep it in an airtight bag to prevent moisture buildup.

Use silica bags and mothballs to keep your stored rugs free from moisture and parasites.

Vacuuming

Vacuum your new rug regularly, as loose fibres will shed over time. This shedding is normal for new rugs and will reduce over time with regular vacuuming. If you experience any loose sprouting fibres that stick up above the pile, you can carefully trim them with scissors.

We do not recommend using rotating or brush head vacuum cleaners on any of our rugs, or vacuum cleaners with very strong suction. We recommend using a low setting if your vacuum allows it.

Be thorough: vacuum under furniture, behind curtains, and where your rug meets the wall. Proper vacuuming requires 3 to 5 passes at a slow speed over the same area.

A good quality, effective vacuum is the best tool you can own to maintain your rugs. Consider investing in a new vacuum if your current one is old and tired.

Areas, where heavy foot traffic is directed through fairly restricted zones such as doorways, entrances, and at the edges of the rug where it joins hard floors, require special attention when vacuuming.

Keep the floors under and around your rugs clean, avoiding harsh chemicals. Dirt and debris can be walked onto the rug from surrounding areas, so keeping your floors clean keeps your rugs clean as well. For rugs located near entrances, the use of a doormat will prevent outdoor debris from being walked onto the rug.

Size + Placement

When you buy a new rug, you’re making an investment in your home, your space, and your style, and you want it to look perfect in your room.

In addition to finding a rug that compliments the style and function of your space and your own personal taste, you’re also going to want to account for considerations of size, shape, and placement.

We’ve created a simple guide to consider when making your rug purchase.

Living Room

For living rooms, you have a few different options when it comes to placement. First, be sure to measure your space and your furnishings.
You can select a rug that is larger than your living room set – this is great for defining open plan spaces, large rooms, or for when you want to make a statement.

For smaller spaces, take a “two legs on, two legs off” approach. This still allows for plenty of rug coverage and is great for showcasing more colour or design.

Another option is to treat the rug as a centrepiece, with the furniture surrounding the rug. This is a great option for when you don’t want to hide any part of your beautiful new purchase and is also an economical choice as you don’t need as large a rug.

Dining Room

Choosing a shape that mirrors your dining table is a great way to frame your dining space. Your rug should be large enough to accommodate your table and all the chairs when they’re pushed out – anything smaller will catch on the chairs. From the edge of the table, extend the size of the rug by the depth of your chair + 20cm, which is roughly 70-75cm. We suggest choosing a rug made from stain-resistant materials such as wool for dining rooms.

Bedroom

Bedroom rugs are all about having a plush feeling underfoot when you step out of bed in the morning, so placing your rug so that you have approximately 60-70 cm next to your bed is ideal. Side tables should be completely on or completely off the rug so they are stable – to achieve this the rug can be placed just in front. An economical option would also be two runners on either side.

Hallway

With hall runners, always leave allowance for your door to swing open, and be sure to take into account architraves and skirting boards that may jut into the hallway. Leaving some space either side of your runner is recommended to have the floor frame the rug. Be as generous as the space allows, as a narrow runner can be awkward to walk on.

Home Consultations

At Designer Rugs we understand that a rug can have an enormous impact on the look at feel of a room, and sometimes the best way to get a feel for how a rug will work in a space is to simply roll it out!

Try your rug before you decide

At Designer Rugs, we understand that a rug can have an enormous impact on the look at feel of a room, and sometimes the best way to get a feel for how a rug will work in a space is to simply roll it out!

We offer at-home consults and approvals to help you make your decision. Our expert staff will visit your home to help you decide on the right size, shape colour, and style of rug that will work in your space, using samples and our colour tuft boxes to demonstrate all of the custom and in-stock options available to you. We can also leave full-sized rug options with you for approval to get an idea of how they fit into your home and lifestyle.

To arrange a home consult or approval, please contact us or visit your nearest showroom.