Where Design Begins
Exploring the influences, materials, and design thinking behind Tigmi’s 2026 Rug Collection.
Exploring the influences, materials, and design thinking behind Tigmi’s 2026 Rug Collection.
Rooted in natural materiality, enduring craftsmanship and designer-first thinking, Tigmi’s 2026 Rug Collection continues an ongoing exploration of the dialogue between contemporary living and old-world heritage. For Tigmi, rugs have always carried stories of place, people and making. This collection returns to the textile traditions that have long inspired Tigmi founder Danielle McEwan, starting with artisanal heritage and looking to traditional textile traditions to bring a refined, contemporary perspective to the collection.
Tigmi’s 2026 Rug Collection
“The essence of Tigmi has always lived in a subtle, dialogue between eras—designing pieces made for contemporary living, but forever viewed through the lens of history. By placing modern forms and handcrafted textiles into spaces with rich, storied histories, a beautiful tension emerges against the backdrop of historical architecture. It brings a feeling of lived-in vitality over polished perfection.”
Danielle McEwan, Founder & Creative Director, Tigmi
To capture the soul of the new collection, we travelled to France, setting the collection against the backdrops of two unique properties in Bordeaux and Marseille that each offer an indelible combination of history and modernity.
The New Nomadic Collection
Inspired by the nomadic language of Berber rugs and Saharan Tuareg mats, Tigmi introduces three new original designs; Tribu, Atlas, and Aztec - that pay homage to the soulful, artisanal tradition of Berber handcrafted carpets.
These new designs translate traditional geometric motifs into soft Afghan wool rugs, introducing distinct textures and fibre palettes tailored to bring a grounding foundation to modern interiors.
“There’s an intentional informality in tribal craft that I’m constantly inspired by. With these three new designs, we kept that loose, asymmetrical energy alive. It’s those subtle details of the handmade process that bring a distinct soul, character, and grounding presence into contemporary homes.”
Danielle McEwan, Founder & Creative Director, Tigmi
ATLAS
High Mountain comfort — unstudied luxury
A homage to the iconic, long-pile textiles of Morocco, Atlas translates organic comfort into a refined architectural piece. Rich Afghan wool provides a soft, lush pile, accented by high-low flatweave detailing that carves out an asymmetrical grid design. Offered in two earthy colourways, Bisque & Argan, that highlight the subtle colour variations of the Afghan wool, Atlas brings effortless informality, texture, and deep tactile warmth to any space.
TRIBU
Modern Tribal — globally inspired and artisan crafted
Inspired by the graphic nature of the traditional Tuareg mat, Tribu brings a softer, contemporary point of view to heritage nomadic patterns. Hand-knotted from pure Afghan wool, its low pile combines the tailored feel of a flatweave with the plush comfort of fine wool. Featuring deep umber tones and a restrained geometric design, Tribu brings warmth, architectural movement, and quiet character to contemporary living.
AZTEK
Architectural restraint for everyday living
A modernist study in texture and form, Aztek translates clean geometric lines into a tactile flatweave piece. Woven in natural Afghan wool, its low-profile construction features a subtle, tone-on-tone motif that introduces depth without visual noise. With its earthy palette and quiet sophistication, Aztek offers a versatile, grounding element for spaces designed to be lived in.
The Evolution of Cashmere
Our interest in traditional textiles extends well beyond pattern - the fibre itself and how it is worked dictates how a piece breathes within an interior. Our Cashmere collection takes a different approach, allowing the material itself to become the focus.
Originally conceived as an exercise in simplicity, Cashmere is deliberately free from pattern. Its appeal lies in the softness of the cashmere and New Zealand wool blend, the density of its construction, and the subtle movement of colour across the surface.
Following its debut last year as Tigmi’s most popular release, the collection expands with six new muted jewel tones - Olive, Ginger, Saffron, Forest, Bluestone, and Chestnut - introducing richer, earthier tones to the palette and bringing the range to 10 versatile colourways. Crafted with a dense 200-knot count blend, each rug is finished with hand-embroidered end-trim details.
Colour has always played an important role in Tigmi's approach to interiors, particularly in the way we bring together vintage pieces, contemporary furniture, and natural materials. The expanded Cashmere palette offers new possibilities for those relationships, whether introducing warmth to a restrained room or building an interior around a deeper tonal direction.
“The Cashmere collection has become such a beloved favourite among our clients,” shares McEwan. “The unique combination of natural wool paired with the incredible softness of cashmere creates something that is at once highly functional and deeply luxurious underfoot. The addition of the hand-embroidered trim gives it an extra layer of detail and honours that sense of traditional craft.”
Danielle McEwan · Founder & Creative Director, Tigmi
Expanding the Core
The 2026 launch also revisits and broadens our core, hard-wearing lines:
Agri in Brick: Inspired by the view across a field of wheat and designed with Australian indoor-outdoor living in mind, Agri returns in a rich, sun-baked Brick colourway. Handwoven from recycled PET, it creates a soft, practical rug suited to both interiors and outdoor spaces, marrying high-traffic durability with the natural texture and softness of raw fibre.
Flacq Runner: Our iconic geometric design, Flacq re-proportioned as a dedicated runner format that translates its distinctive linear rhythm into hallways and connecting spaces.
A Dialogue Between Eras
Staging the collection within 18th- and 19th-century French architecture offered an ideal canvas to explore this relationship between old and new.
Within the properties in Bordeaux and Marseille, aged limestone, classic panelling, and timeworn patinas met clean contemporary furniture and new textile forms. Placed in a historic building, a newly designed rug does not compete; instead, its handcrafted roots establish an organic bridge between the architecture of yesterday and the pace of contemporary life.
It is this deliberate interplay between periods, materials, and influences that continues to shape the way Tigmi curates and designs-each addition bringing its own distinct materiality to suit diverse interior palettes and creating functional art that transcends seasonal trends.
FAQ
How do I choose the right rug size for my space?
The right rug should feel generous enough to anchor the furniture around it, rather than floating within the room. In a living space, we generally recommend choosing a rug large enough to sit beneath at least the front legs of your furniture, while dining rugs should extend comfortably beyond the table and chairs. For more detailed placement advice, explore our Rug Size Guide.
Do I need a rug underlay?
We recommend using an underlay with every rug. Beyond helping to keep your rug securely in place, a good underlay provides additional cushioning and reduces movement and friction between the rug and floor, helping to protect the rug and extend its life.
How do I care for my rug?
Regular, gentle care will help preserve your rug for years to come. Vacuum using low suction, attend to spills promptly by blotting rather than rubbing, and rotate your rug periodically to encourage even wear. For deeper cleaning, we recommend using a professional rug cleaner familiar with handmade and natural-fibre rugs.
Are handmade rugs perfectly uniform?
No — and this is part of what makes them unique. Variations in weave, colour, texture and dimensions are natural characteristics of rugs made by hand, reflecting the materials and processes used by the artisan rather than a manufacturing fault.
Are cashmere rugs suitable for everyday use?
Yes. Tigmi’s Cashmere rugs blend the softness of cashmere with the natural strength and resilience of wool. The dense construction gives a soft, substantial feel underfoot, suited to living rooms and bedrooms. We recommend an underlay and regular care to help preserve the pile.
What is Afghan wool, and why does Tigmi use it?
Afghan wool is wool sourced from Afghanistan, valued for its durability and natural variations in tone and texture. Tigmi uses it for the character it brings to a rug, with subtle colour variations within the fibres creating a natural mélange effect. Soft underfoot and resilient, it is well suited to everyday living.
Can I see or feel a rug before purchasing?
Yes. Many of our rugs can be viewed at our Byron Bay showroom, and samples are available on our website. If you’re considering a particular rug, contact our team at sales@tigmitrading.com and we can help with availability, samples and any questions about colour, texture or construction.
What is the difference between hand-knotted and handwoven rugs?
Hand-knotted rugs are individually knotted by hand, creating a dense and highly durable construction that can take months to complete. Handwoven rugs are created by weaving fibres together on a loom and can vary considerably in texture and construction. Both techniques carry the marks of the maker, with subtle variations that are part of the character of a handmade rug.
Tigmi’s 2026 Rug Collection