Question 1

How do I start a project or request a quote?

Accepted Answer

Reach out through our contact page or email us directly (studio@lucytupu.com) with a few details about your space — room dimensions, style direction, and any inspiration images or material references you have. We'll set up a time to talk through the project.

Question 2

What if I'm not sure exactly what I want?

Accepted Answer

That's completely normal. Many clients come to us with inspiration rather than a finished brief. We'll guide you through the process, ask thoughtful questions, and help translate your ideas into a design that feels authentic to your space.

Question 3

Do you travel for site visits or measurements?

Accepted Answer

Yes — wherever possible. However, we can work from photos, dimensions, and a video walkthrough, which is enough for many single-room projects. For larger or more complex projects — full residences, commercial work, or multi-room programs — we're glad to visit the site directly.

Question 4

What materials do you use?

Accepted Answer

Primarily New Zealand wool, along with silk, Tibetan wool, and nylon, chosen depending on the design and durability needs of the space. We select materials based on how a rug will actually be used, a high-traffic commercial lobby calls for a different construction than a bedroom.

Question 5

What's the difference between hand-tufted and hand-knotted construction?

Accepted Answer

Hand-tufted and hand-knotted are our primary constructions. Hand-tufted rugs are made by punching yarn through a backing to create a pile, allowing for textural variation, like mixing cut and loop pile. Hand-knotted rugs are woven entirely by hand, knot by knot, without a backing, the traditional, highly skilled intricate technique, valued for its durability and fine detail. We also offer flat-woven and hand-woven construction for select projects — see our Construction Guide for guidance on which option suits your space.

Question 6

What is the GoodWeave certification, and why does it matter to your process?

Accepted Answer

Lucy Tupu Studio has partnered with GoodWeave International since 2016. Our hand-knotted, flat-woven, and hand-woven rugs are made in Nepal and are GoodWeave certified, helping ensure they're produced without child labor, and supporting fair, safe working conditions for artisans and local education programs. Every certified rug carries a GoodWeave label and a unique traceable code back to its producer. We also give back a set contribution from every certified rug sold, directly to the artisan weaving community.

Question 7

How should I care for and clean my rug?

Accepted Answer

Vacuum weekly — more often in high-traffic areas — and treat spills immediately: blot wet stains gently rather than rubbing, and avoid hot water or chemical cleaners. It's normal for new rugs to shed loose fibers for the first few months. Silk rugs are delicate and best left to a certified Rug Cleaning Technician (RCT). For full care guidelines by material, visit our Rug Care and Maintenance page.

Question 8

How does the custom rug design process work?

Accepted Answer

Every project begins with a conversation. We take the time to understand you, your space, and how the rug will be used. We  then develop concepts, explore colors, materials, and textures, and create samples where needed.From concept to installation, you'll review and approve each stage before production begins, ensuring the finished rug is exactly what you envisioned.Our process typically includes:Initial consultationDesign conceptMaterial and colour selectionDesign presentation and refinementsSampling (if required)Final approvalHandcrafted productionQuality control, delivery, and installation support

Question 9

How long does a custom rug typically take, from consultation to delivery?

Accepted Answer

Timelines vary by size, construction, and complexity, but here's a general overview:Quotes and digital artwork are typically ready within 24 hours.Consultation through design refinement: 1–6 weeksMaterial sampling: 3–4 weeksProduction: 8–10 weeks (hand-tufted, flat-woven, hand-woven) or 12–16 weeks (hand-knotted)Shipping: 3–4 weeksQuality control and inspection: 1–2 weeks upon arrival at our warehouseAltogether, most projects take roughly 4–7 months from first consultation to a rug ready for delivery. Once your rug has cleared quality control, we'll coordinate delivery and installation on a timeline that works for you. We'll confirm a specific schedule once your design and materials are set, so it can be built into your project planning from day one.

Question 10

What does a custom rug typically cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on size, material, construction, and design complexity. Silk, for example, costs more than wool, and a more intricate design with multiple colors requires more dye work and production time than a simple, single-color rug. Share your room dimensions and general style direction, and we'll give you an accurate range early on, so there are no surprises as the design develops.

Question 11

Can I see samples or material swatches before committing to a design?

Accepted Answer

Yes, always. We work through physical wool, silk, and yarn samples early in the process, and for more complex or large-scale pieces, we can produce a scaled sample / strike-off, so you can evaluate color, texture, and pattern before full production begins.

Question 12

What's the difference between your Studio Collections and a fully custom Artisan design?

Accepted Answer

Our Studio Collections, like ‘South Pacific’ or ‘Family Jewels’, are Lucy's curated designs, which can be modified in size, colorway, and shape to fit your space. Our Artisan process starts from a blank page, a completely custom design built around your brief, whether that's matching an art collection, an architectural detail, or solving a spatial challenge like a multi-flight stair runner.

Question 13

Can you match a rug to an existing color palette, art piece, or fabric?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is one of the most common starting points for a custom project. Provide us with a fabric swatch, a paint chip, or even a photograph of the art in the room to your initial consultation, and we'll design around it.

Question 14

Do you provide samples / strike-offs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide samples, also known as strike-offs, including wool and silk color swatches and texture samples, so you can evaluate materials, present designs to clients, and approve the final product before production begins.

Question 15

Can you help determine the correct rug size?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Whether you have detailed floor plans and elevations or just room measurements and a few photos, we'll help you find the right size and placement for your space.

Question 16

Is there a minimum size or order for a custom project?

Accepted Answer

Not at all, a single rug for one room is one of our most common projects. We also take on larger scopes, from multi-room residences to full commercial or multi-property programs. Reach out with your project and we'll let you know how we can help.

Question 17

Can you create custom stair runners and wall-to-wall carpets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We design and manufacture fully customized stair runners and wall-to-wall carpets for residential and commercial interiors, tailored to the dimensions, aesthetic, and performance needs of each space.

Question 18

Do you ship and install nationally or internationally?

Accepted Answer

We ship anywhere, working closely with freight partners to coordinate delivery to your project location. Installation is handled directly by our team in New York and New Zealand; outside those areas, we're happy to provide installation recommendations, though installation itself is typically arranged locally by the client or their purchasing agent.

Question 19

Who is Lucy Tupu Studio, and what do you specialize in?

Accepted Answer

Lucy Tupu Studio designs and produces bespoke rugs, carpets, and furnishings for interiors that need something no catalog can offer. Founded by industrial designer Lucy Tupu, the studio blends over 25 years of formal design training with a deep, hands-on knowledge of materials and craft — from hand-tufted wool to flat-woven silk borders. Every piece is designed collaboratively, whether it's a single statement rug or a full custom program for a commercial build-out.

Question 20

Do I need an interior designer to work with you, or can I hire the studio directly?

Accepted Answer

Either way works. We collaborate directly with architects and interior designers on residential and commercial projects, and we also work one-on-one with private clients, sometimes introduced through a designer, sometimes coming to us directly. If you do have a designer or architect involved, we're happy to work alongside them too. However you arrive, the process is the same from our first conversation through to installation.

Question 21

Where is the studio located?

Accepted Answer

We're based in Chelsea, New York, with a strong presence in Aotearoa, New Zealand, giving us the reach to support projects across both regions and internationally. Lucy personally leads every project, ensuring every client receives the same hands-on creative partnership and thoughtful service, wherever their project is located.

NEW YORK

NEW ZEALAND

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with Lucy Tupu Studio — from our process and materials to timelines and trade pricing. If you don't see your question here, get in touch — we're always happy to chat.