WELCOME
Royal Rugs is a New York–based wholesaler specializing in hand-knotted Tibetan rugs, custom rug programs, and artisan-made rugs from Nepal.Gyurme Dondup is the owner. Royal Rugs serves interior designers and To The Trade, who value authentic craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and ethical production.
At Royal Rugs, our goal is simple: to work with honest, respectful, and like-minded clients who appreciate handmade rugs, meaningful design, and the stories behind traditional craftsmanship.
Every rug we offer is hand-knotted using traditional Tibetan techniques, reflecting generations of skill, patience, and care passed down by master weavers.
Equally important to us are the Tibetan and Nepali artisans who create our rugs. Many of the weavers at our partner factory in Kathmandu, Nepal have worked with us for over 20 years. During my visits to the factory, I see artisans working at the looms with pride—preserving a centuries-old rug-making tradition that supports families and local communities. Ethical sourcing and long-term relationships with weavers are central to our business.
Why choose us?
1. Heritage, Not Just a Profession
For us, crafting rugs is not merely a business—it is a deeply rooted family tradition. Our story began with Kalsang Choewang (now 78), a pioneering rug designer trained by the Swiss Red Cross in Nepal who helped establish the region’s modern rug-weaving industry for Tibetan refugees. His legacy was immortalized when world-renowned photographer Steve McCurry captured him at work in the factory for a feature in the April 2002 issue of National Geographic. Today, second-generation rug producer Gyurme carries forward this multi-generational tradition, having grown up in the workshops of Kathmandu before earning a Marketing degree in the US and bringing over 20 years of hands-on industry expertise to clients worldwide.
2. Uncompromising Quality & Exceptional Materials
We believe true luxury lies in authenticity and detail. We source 100% highland wool from Tibet—widely recognized as the rarest and most durable wool available—and pair it with pure natural silk. Our master craftsmen hand-dye the wool in small batches to ensure precise, rich color absorption, and our expert weavers hand-knot each piece to create rugs of unparalleled beauty, texture, and longevity.
3. Tailored Bespoke & Collaborative Design
Every space is unique, and your rug should be too. Gyurme and the Royal Rugs team work directly with homeowners, top interior designers, and industry specialists (such as expert rug restoration master Ahmed) across major design hubs like New York, High Point, and Las Vegas. From inspecting yarns to ensure exact color matching to coordinating professional installations on-site, we offer a deeply personalized, hands-on approach to bring
your custom vision to life.
4. Direct Craftsmanship & End-to-End Care
Because Gyurme regularly travels overseas to work directly with our overseas factories and artisans—while maintaining close ties to local communities and monasteries—we bridge the gap between ancient Himalayan craftsmanship and modern interior design. We stand by our work every step of the way, ensuring that every custom commission meets the highest standards of artistry, durability, and customer satisfaction.
What Are Top in The Market
As I went on, still gaining velocity, the palpitation of night and day merged into one continuous greyness; the sky took on a wonderful deepness of blue, a splendid luminous color like that of early twilight; the jerking sun became a streak of fire, a brilliant arch, in space; the moon a fainter fluctuating band; and I could see nothing of the stars, save now and then a brighter circle flickering in the blue.
Nikkile Mathews
We Have Happy Customers
As I went on, still gaining velocity, the palpitation of night and day merged into one continuous greyness; the sky took on a wonderful deepness of blue, a splendid luminous color like that of early twilight; the jerking sun became a streak of fire, a brilliant arch, in space; the moon a fainter fluctuating band; and I could see nothing of the stars, save now and then a brighter circle flickering in the blue.
Jonsons Reed
