The Studio, Chelsea NY
Tailored rugs that bring interiors to life
Where color, texture, and design transform spaces and inspire joy
Lucy Tupu Studio collaborates with interior designers, architects, and private clients to create custom rugs, everything from boutique hotels to one-of-a-kind living spaces.
Come and visit us in Chelsea, NY
Lucy Tupu is a classically trained industrial designer with over 25 years of experience creating custom rugs, carpets, furniture, and lighting. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, to a Samoan father and a Kiwi mother of English and Scottish descent, Lucy’s design practice is rooted in her rich cultural heritage.
After earning her Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design from RMIT in 1997, Lucy spent 19 years in New York building her career as a designer and artist. In 2015, she launched her own studio and debuted her first collection, South Pacific, at ICFF—a vibrant reflection of her Polynesian roots.
The pandemic offered Lucy a rare chance to reconnect with family in Aotearoa. Realizing the potential to run her practice across continents, she returned to NZ in 2021 to open a second studio and take on a full-time teaching role for 2 years at Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka.
Recent clients
A + I
And Two Studios
AvroKO
Carney Logan Burke Architects
Studio Pacific Architecture, NZ
ESI Design
Fernando Rodriguez Studio
Fogarty Finger
Gensler
Ghislaine Viñas
Key & Shade
Gramercy Design
Loczi Design
Method + Moxie
MFAT of New Zealand
Pfeffer Torode
Hudson Home
Rigg Design NYC
Sanchez + Coleman
SPG Architects
Reviews
We had such a wonderful experience working with Lucy and her team. They are a creative powerhouse and a joy to work with. We had two large custom rugs made for our Los Angeles home. We hired Lucy to help pull together our newly renovated house with colorful custom, high quality rugs. I highly recommend the Lucy Tupu Team.
PRIVATE CLIENT
I worked with Lucy and her team to design a custom area rug for a lobby renovation in downtown Manhattan. The design team was super helpful and Lucy walked me through every possible material, color, and cut/loop combination. The rug arrived exactly as described and in perfect condition and the client loved it.
FOGARTY FINGER | Jeffrey Bak
Lucy and her team provided clear and thoughtful options to our client, and coordinated both delivery of well-made samples and the final product in a timely manner. Most importantly, the rugs looked and felt absolutely beautiful in the space and the client was thrilled with the end product.
SPG ARCHITECTS | Eric Gartner
Our 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.
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!