A little something about us...
Lucy Tupu Studio is a New York and New Zealand-based design studio creating rugs, wall-to-wall carpets, furniture, and textiles for residential and commercial interiors.
Founded in 2015, the studio grew from a love of making and a belief that the things we live with should have a sense of personality. We work with interior designers, architects, and private clients to create considered pieces that feel at home in their spaces and are made to be lived with.
Our approach is intuitive, collaborative, and hands-on. We enjoy being part of the process from the first idea through to the finished piece, working closely with our clients to explore scale, texture, color, and the details that make a design feel right for a particular space.
We primarily work with natural fibers, including New Zealand wool, Tibetan wool, and silk, selected for their beauty, character, and performance. Since 2016, we’ve partnered with GoodWeave to support responsible rug production and better working conditions throughout our supply chain.
Talofa Lava, O lo’u igoa o Lucy!
(Hi, I'm Lucy!)
Lucy Tupu is a classically trained industrial designer with more than 25 years of experience creating rugs, furniture, lighting, and textiles. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, to a Samoan father and a Kiwi mother, her work is shaped by her cultural heritage, love of color and pattern, and deep appreciation for materials.
After earning her Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design from RMIT in 1997, Lucy spent 20 years in New York building her career as a designer and an artist. In 2015, she founded Lucy Tupu Studio and debuted her first collection, South Pacific, at ICFF in 2016.
The pandemic gave Lucy a rare chance to reconnect with family in Aotearoa. In 2021, she returned to New Zealand, where she opened a second studio and spent two years teaching Interior Architecture at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. In 2025, she returned to New York, where she now works across both places she calls home. With roots in Aotearoa and a home in New York, Lucy brings a personal perspective to the world of rugs, shaped by her culture, love of design and color, and a touch of retro spirit.
Clients and Partners
Exhibitions
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We exhibited our Max Gimblett Rug Collection and our Sulu Blanket Collection in May 2025. This was the second year we exhibited at the NZ Art Show.
Cey Adams, Departure - 40 Years of Art & Design
In collaboration with Cey Adams we created seven rug designs as part of our Cey Adams Collection. In Cey's travelling exhibition, out Halrem rug featured. ‘Harlem’ plays homage to his family’s neighborhood and to his father who served in the military.
Lucy Tupu Studio officially launched in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Nov 29th, 2023. What better way to celebrate than by showcasing our stunning Max Gimblett Rug Collection. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening party!