On my recent journey to India, I found myself in the very heart of creativity among the artisans whose hands breathe life into our designs. It was here, in the vibration of the workshop, that I finally saw Mumtaz Mahal… our first carved-rug design come into being in real time.
India has always felt like home to my creative spirit. I adore spending time there, among warm souls and vibrant surroundings. But this trip felt different, elevated because it held milestones. Watching our hand-tufted rugs spin into life was familiar and comforting. But to witness Mumtaz Mahal come alive, to see its carved edges emerge, was extraordinary.
Watching Mumtaz Mahal Take Shape
I was fortunate enough to observe every stage of its making. First, the lower pile is tufted. The rug is then trimmed to a consistent height. Next, the frame receives the longer pile tufting, emphasizing contrast and volume. Only then can the carving begin, the moment when the pattern fully asserts itself.
Carving is a patient art. It demands precision and time. The design is over-tufted first, then sculpted, layer by layer, to expose the intricate details. For a rug of its size, carving alone can take about seven days by two skilled artisans. The full process, from start to finish, takes between 10 to 12 weeks, compared to six to eight weeks for a standard tufted rug. It’s laborious, but the result is breathtaking.
Carving is a patient art. It demands precision and time. The design is over-tufted first, then sculpted, layer by layer, to expose the intricate details. For a rug of its size, carving alone can take about seven days by two skilled artisans. The full process, from start to finish, takes between 10 to 12 weeks, compared to six to eight weeks for a standard tufted rug. It’s laborious, but the result is breathtaking.
This was my first opportunity to see this method in action. While I’ve seen other techniques that manipulate pile height (such as oxidation or combining loops and cut pile), this carving process is on a different level. It’s a rare skill; currently, only four carvers can work at this quality. We are committed to training more, so this art form can continue to flourish.
Mumtaz Mahal ends up denser than our hand-tufted rugs and sheerer in pile than hand-knotted pieces. Bringing this technique to life is a thrilling moment for all of us in the studio, both here and in India. Already, two new carved pieces are in development, each with its own distinct personality.
Moondance, Custom Rugs & Colour in Motion
While Mumtaz Mahal held center stage, I also got to glimpse the next two stars in our Moondance series: Euphoria and Wellbeing. Their emerging forms were a testament to the emotional power of colour, how tone and contrast shape mood in space. Soon, they’ll be ready for photography and shared with you.
Custom rugs, too, had their moments. Each one tells its own story. I saw a grand Plumage Gold, a joyful Nurture, and an elongated Chinese Garden of Virtue runner. Birdsong Yellow variants danced with subtle shifts, some leaning toward bluer, others richer in orange and red. Every custom creation is tailored for its future home, and watching them evolve is pure delight.
Gratitude, Growth & the Road Ahead
Every trip to India is humbling. The depth of craftsmanship, the generosity of spirit, I return changed. I’m so deeply grateful to collaborate with such gifted artisans.
What moved me even more was witnessing how much we’ve grown together. I visited the site of a new workshop in planning nestled among rice fields and sugarcane, alive with birdlife. We hope to launch it in early 2026. It’s not just about scale it’s about expanding the canvas for more hands, more stories, more beauty.
We’ve always believed in evolving with reverence for tradition. And as we step toward new horizons, we carry with us gratitude, care, and purpose.
Watch this space for updates, stories, and glimpses into what’s next.
