Lizz Greer’s artisan rugs are so much more than elegant home furnishings. They are unique works of art intended for the most discriminating homeowners and private collectors. They offer an opportunity to explore images, feelings, and perspectives in any environment. Designed exclusively by Lizz, each artisan rug is an experience in culture and emotion, and an investment in beauty and sophistication, as well as social responsibility: Every Lizz Greer creation carries the RugMark label to ensure that children were not exploited. More >

When artist and designer Liza Phillips launched her company in 2004, she knew its philosophy would be based not only on good design but good labor practices. Having visited several workshops in Kathmandu, Liza was aware of the potential for exploitation in the industry. Determined to do everything possible to better the lives of weavers and their children as they face the future, she signed up with RugMark early on. More >

elson & company was founded with three core values – an emphasis on working with top design talent, producing a premier product and being a philanthropic member of the community. This last concept is what led company founder Diane Elson Bankoff to join RugMark as one of its early U.S. supporters. More >

“It is as basic as this,” explains Miron Chlebosz, one half of New York-based Asha Carpets, speaking of the use of child labor in the rug industry. “We are socially conscious people, and our clientele simply wouldn’t accept it. When our customers find out we are part of an organization like RugMark, we hear a palpable sigh of relief.” More >

Gary Coles-Christensen is an adventurer, traveling to the world’s historical weaving capitals to find the most unusual rugs for his Santa Fe showroom. Yet his vision extends far beyond providing unusual rugs to a discerning international clientele. “I like to think of our business as a way to help weavers,” he says. “RugMark’s work fits with our vision of the store giving back, promoting weaving in a healthy way.” More >

Layne Goldsmith of Layne Goldsmith Studio is no newcomer to the world of art and design. As a textile artist and professor in the School of Art at the University of Washington, Layne Goldsmith's art and teaching are broadly admired. When she considered working in the rug industry, it was a given that there be absolutely no child labor involved. She visited many factories in Nepal and ended up choosing those with RugMark affiliations. "I’ve always favored situations that provide equally to all concerned, and organizations like RugMark that are trying to do that are worth supporting." More >

Two decades ago, neither Donna Hastings nor Carol Sebert, founders of Creative Matters,  imagined they would be well-known throughout the world for custom handcrafted rugs. Each woman started off in a different direction, Hastings in fashion design and Sebert in textile art. The fashion world just wasn’t artistically satisfying enough for Donna Hastings and, as Carol Sebert tells it, her job “matching nylon broadloom to couch fabrics wasn’t at all what she dreamed of” when she studied at the prestigious Sheridan Institute in Toronto. What did not change for either woman, however, were their principles, so as Hastings explains, “When we heard about RugMark, it was absolutely ‘yes’. We have to do that!” More >

Just a little more than a decade ago, The Rug Company co-founders Christopher and Suzanne Sharp were in the business of traveling around the world making films. They certainly didn't dream of being in the rug industry and having showrooms around the world. Collecting rugs was a hobby and a passion for the couple, but the craft of carpets that they loved so much was the compass that led them to founding The Rug Company. Says Christopher Sharp, "Anything that comes out of a passion just works." More >

Textures offers custom hand woven rugs, home décor, handcrafted jewelry and personalized interior design services. Its hope is to instill craftsmanship, integrity and beauty in all of its products and services. Textures is also actively involved in international children’s charities and is dedicated to improving the lives of those it touches. Its affiliation with RugMark has allowed Textures to give back to the Nepalese community through the education of its most important assets ­­– its children. More >

When textile artist Angela Adams expanded her rug production from Maine to include weavers in India, she wanted to retain the highest working standards. Joining RugMark was a natural part of that business expansion, and has helped her ensure that no child labor is used to produce rugs under her name. More >

Santa Fe-based designer Robin Gray launched her rug business hoping to help sustain the native techniques and traditions of gifted artisans whose skills have often been passed down for generations. “My aim,” she says, “is to preserve the cultural heritage and help sustain the livelihoods of my artisan partners.” Robin’s membership in RugMark helps her achieve this goal by ensuring that the skilled adults weaving her rugs are not economically marginalized by competition from child labor. Robin says she sees her association with RugMark as her “small contribution to spreading the word." More >

Chris Baisa, founder of San Francisco-based Delinear Inc., launched his rug division after 15 years of successful home furnishing design. Aligning production standards in Nepal with his personal values, Chris joined RugMark to ensure that no child labor was used to produce his modern hand-knotted rugs. More >

Christine and Walter Chapin had a hunch that consumers would like less traditional-looking options in Oriental rug designs, so they launched Company C, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of hand-crafted area rugs, textiles and home furnishings. That intuition led to Company C rugs in 600 stores worldwide and in several major catalogs, their own 8,000 square foot retail store, and a distribution center. As the company took hold, the Chapins learned about RugMark and signed up -- secure that its mills across the world in India hired only adult weavers. More >

When artist Amy Helfand was ready to expand her design portfolio to include rugs in early 2005, contacting RugMark was a natural first step. While established in the art world for more than 15 years, Amy had never contracted production overseas. She wanted the added assurance that the production practices were ethical, as well as the connection to a broader community of rug import companies. More >

Stile BK’s nomadic philosophy extends not only to the style of its beautiful rugs, but also to its business approach. Behrouz Kolahi created Stile BK in 2004 in Italy with the intent to become an international company. A year later, the company introduced its rugs to the U.S. market, launching at the New York International Carpet Show. At that show, Behrouz met RugMark representatives and signed up shortly thereafter to ensure that its rugs are child-labor-free. More >

Beth Arrowood, president and owner of Miami-based NIBA Rug Collections, had a childhood rich with travel. “At an early age I was keenly aware of how other people live in the world,” she says. That early insight explains, in part, why she is so happy to be in the rug industry. “I love helping to keep the tradition of rug making alive, keeping people employed and doing something good in another part of the world. It’s the whole package!” she explains.  And part of that package is her membership in RugMark. “There is just no way we would work with a factory that is not inspected by RugMark,” she says emphatically. More >

Apeiron Design LLC is a new company, but for owner-designer Charles Livingston, the company is just the latest step in his artistic evolution.  “My artwork, the painting, print and drawing,” he explains, “just seemed to enforce that I needed to go in the direction of rug design.”  Today, with a line of hand tufted contemporary rugs that are extensions of his artwork and a portfolio of custom work, Livingston is pleased with his choice -- including his decision to join RugMark.  As the owner of a small company, Charles knew that he could have greater reach and social impact via the organization. More >

Grounded in both the cultural and material histories of textiles, Dorjé Contemporary honors the natural and human resources vital to the production of its handmade carpets. Dorjé joined RugMark to further its commitment to creating the highest possible work and living standards for its workers. More >

Guildcraft Carpets believes that each rug design lends itself to a particular interpretation of wool and weave. Using the finest natural materials such as mohair, silk, hemp, New Zealand and exotic wools, and the best quality vegetable and metal-complex dyes, Northfield Carpets International creates beautiful and enduring works that are certified as child-labor-free by RugMark. More >

Sacco Carpets serves interior designers of New York with products made on all five continents. Founder Marc Sacco insists on the RugMark label, knowing that it represents a serious effort to improve the lives of many people. More >