Australia’s most celebrated custom rug and bespoke carpet company reflects on four decades of design excellence, groundbreaking collaborations and an enduring global legacy.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Designer Rugs turns 40 this year. For a company that started with no industry knowledge and a simple conviction that Australian rugs were badly lacking in design ambition, that is no small thing. What began as a family venture in 1986 has grown into an internationally acclaimed authority in luxury custom rugs and carpets, with a design legacy that spans three continents and some of the world’s most prestigious interiors.
“We don’t see ourselves as just a rug company; we see ourselves as a design company that makes rugs,” says Yosi Tal, Co-Founder and Managing Director. It is a philosophy he has held to for four decades, and it has been the driving force behind everything Designer Rugs has become.
Yosi, Eli and Nuri Tal founded the company knowing nothing about rugs or retail. What they did know was that the designs being imported into Australia at the time were, in their own words, dull and uninspiring. Within months of opening, they landed a commission few could have anticipated: a custom rug for St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, marking Pope John Paul II’s visit to Australia. “That was a gift from heaven,” recalls Tal. “It was perfect timing and it opened doors for us.” Two years later, Parliament House commissioned four rugs for the Queen’s Bicentennial visit in 1988, cementing Designer Rugs’ reputation as the partner of choice for Australia’s most significant interiors.
Few rug companies can claim collaborations with an Oscar-winning costume designer, a Japanese fashion icon and one of Australia’s greatest architects. Designer Rugs can. Over the decades the brand has worked with Harry Seidler, Akira Isogawa and Catherine Martin, whose partnership produced bespoke commissions for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and the iconic Faena Hotel Miami Beach. Collaborations with Greg Natale, Dinosaur Designs, Silvana Azzi Heras, Minnie Pwerle and Swedish interior designer Anna Carin have further shaped collections that are as distinctive as they are enduring. That breadth, Tal believes, is what keeps the work alive.
“We see a design which we think could work and pursue it,” says Tal. “It’s a journey in which both sides invest a great deal. When a designer who specialises in one medium moves into another, it tests them, takes them out of their comfort zone.” That creative tension is evident in every collection Designer Rugs has brought to market, and it remains central to how the brand works today.
The project list is, by any measure, extraordinary. Designer Rugs recreated the original 1928 carpet for the State Theatre in Sydney, a restoration that had never been attempted before. It has delivered commissions for the Australian Embassy in Paris and Tokyo, Laucula Island Resort in Fiji, the Emirates One&Only resorts on Hayman Island and in Wolgan Valley, the Emirates Birdcage marquee at the Melbourne Cup, and most recently Faena New York. From PWC Sydney to Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Designer Rugs’ creations grace some of the most discerning commercial and residential spaces in the world. That reach is the product of four decades of building trust, one commission at a time.
They are more than just furnishings; they are a fundamental part of the EVE Hotel's identity. The result is a timeless environment that feels both sophisticated and deeply rooted in its Australian setting, providing a memorable experience for every guest. This project stands as a powerful example of how thoughtful, custom design can transform a space and tell a compelling brand story.
Every piece is handmade, but that is only the beginning. Designer Rugs works across an extensive range of materials and construction techniques. New Zealand wool anchors the hand tufted range, while Tibetan wool is used in the handknotted collection. Beyond wool, the palette extends to pure silk, bamboo, viscose and hemp, each chosen for how it performs in a specific space and how it responds to light. Rug finishes include cut pile, loop pile and hand carving. For larger commercial applications, Designer Rugs also offers Axminster carpet, a specialist weaving process known for its exceptional pattern definition and plush texture underfoot. The result is a custom offering that few can match. Whether the brief calls for fine organic detail, bold geometry, or the scale and durability of Axminster carpet, Designer Rugs has the expertise to deliver it. The in-house design studio, with over 25 years of experience, guides every client from initial concept through to final installation. Nothing is off the shelf.
In a market increasingly driven by speed and volume, Designer Rugs has stayed resolutely focused on the opposite. Each commission is a long-term investment in quality, beauty and material integrity, built to endure and designed around the precise demands of the space.
Forty years is worth celebrating. But for Designer Rugs, the anniversary is as much about what comes next as what has passed. New collections are in development, sustainability is increasingly central to material selection, and the brand’s global footprint continues to expand. The creative ambition that defined the company in 1986 remains entirely intact.
“For 40 years, Designer Rugs has been designing luxury underfoot for homes and spaces across the world,” says Tal. “We look forward to what the next chapter brings.” The company has showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and a client base that reaches well beyond Australia. But wherever the work ends up, the starting point is always the same: design begins where you stand.
Designer Rugs is Australia’s premier destination for luxury custom rugs and bespoke carpets. Founded in Sydney in 1986 by the Tal family, the company has built a legacy of design excellence across residential, hospitality and commercial sectors worldwide. With an in-house design studio, handmade production and an unparalleled global reach, Designer Rugs delivers extraordinary, tailored creations for the world’s most discerning interiors. Showrooms are located in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Beyond the studio, Designer Rugs has long been committed to nurturing emerging design talent through the Evolve Awards and educational programs with TAFE and UNSW. The company has also supported Australian charities for over 30 years, donating to organisations including OzHarvest, Fred Hollows and the Royal Hospital for Women.
Join the Designer Rugs Community
Disclaimer: By signing up, you agree to receive emails & text messages from Designer Rugs, including updates, promotions, and other relevant content. We respect your privacy and will never share your information with third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of our emails.
1300 802 561
International Enquiries
Showrooms
