The journey of our rugs.
Hi. My name is Gyurme Dondup, small business owner of ROYALRUGS. We specialize in Tibetan Handmade Rugs in Program and Custom hand knotted rugs. Hard to believe, but it has been over 27 years since I have been involved in this business. As a kid, I grew up in a refugee camp in Jawalakhel, Kathmandu in '70s.
People were poor but it was also some of the happiest moments as I recall. I truly believe in the idea of Simplicity and Less Is More. Success comes when it is simple and clear. Everything that I am, I learned from my parents. My father, Kalsang Choewang, was the first Tibetan Rug Designer in the late 1960s and early 70s. He was also a great salesman and meditator. The 60s were hard on life and tim was tough as you have to walk for one week in the high Himalaya in the Everest region.
Our grandparents passed away when my dad and his siblings were of young age.
Tibetan Rugs
Late 1960s and early 70s were tough time. Tibetan Refugees were arriving from Tibet after Chinese Invasion, and People were desperate to survive.
Knowing Tibetan refugees were suffering and seeing their lives in peril, Swiss RED CROSS, swung in action. One thing these refugees knew Was how to make Tibetan Rugs since it is part of their culture. So RED CROSS established CTC - Carpet Trading Company. My dad was Hired as a first rug designer in the country.
My dad worked there for a few years. He was also a chef, cooking and cleaning for western diplomats working in Kathmandu. He would also run around to sell other stuffs to make a living
My dad was seated in the front row on the right side.
Mr. Dieter Mechler
Mr. Dieter Mechler from Germany
Was the first customer to start purchasing huge amounts of rugs. As Iranian rugs were banned, Tibetan rugs in Nepal started becoming popular. This must be 1980 or 1981 when rugs are packed and shipped out
Uncle Sonam, Dieter Mechler, and my dad.
Khamsung Wangdu
This was a photo taken by Steve McCurry in 2001.
Published for the month of April 2002, our Retail customers instantly recognized RoyalRugs.
Some of the rugs on the floor - Design 5755, HS-15A
Which we still sell to customers.
Quality in every step
Wool Sourcing
Our highland wool comes from Tibetan sheep indigenous to the Himalayas. Each fiber is extra thick, long, and strong. This wool is then saturated with stain-resistant lanolin.
Colorfast Dye
Our craftsmen dye the wool in small quantities, ensuring proper absorption. The lanolin creates a rich, beautiful patina as the dye soaks in, making a naturally soft and lustrous rug.
Weave, Shred, Wash
The delicately processed wool is hand knotted following a graph. The carpets are then shredded to enhance the design, washed, and given their final brushing.
Detailed work for luxury rugs
Click any of the images below to see the process for each premium quality rug
