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 >

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 >

As a carpet designer, Zoë Luyendijk has made her mark by resolutely following her own instincts wherever they take her. Guided by a muse that seems equal parts water sprite, wood nymph, wild child, and fire goddess, Zoë generates something entirely her own.  All of Zoë’s carpets are hand-knotted in Nepal from silk, wool and hemp. The good labor practices and conditions in the mills qualify the company as a member of RugMark. More >

Classic Rug Collection is the brainchild of Barbara Barran, a design veteran whose rug business recently expanded to Nepal. This shift to production in South Asia enabled Barbara to add new rug design offerings for her clients and to join RugMark as a way to give back to the children of Nepal. More >

Nordic Home is an importer of high quality home furnishings and interiors, custom designed with a Nordic touch. Products include Nordic country-style furniture, accent accessories, woven wall hangings, and hand-knotted rugs with traditional designs. These fine products are all handcrafted in Norway with the exception of the hand-knotted custom rugs, which are made in Nepal in factories certified child-labor-free by RugMark. 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 >

“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 >

Tired of seeing so much of the same product in the market, brothers Joel and Mark Karimzadeh, a third generation of rug manufacturers, started M&M Design International. Starting in London and moving to New York, M&M offers traditional oriental rugs; custom-made, designer rug collections and custom-produced area rugs. In addition to its custom designs, the company’s recent membership in RugMark helps to set it apart. More >

The story of the 40 years of Khaden Carpets, now based in the Pacific Northwest, is a microcosm of the story of the people of Tibet. "As a Tibetan refugee in Nepal, my grandmother supported the family weaving traditional hand-knotted Tibetan rugs," says Nawang Sherpa, the young owner of the "extended family business." The decision to join RugMark in 2008 was a family decision too. "Although we never used child labor, we just wanted our buyers to clearly know our position. RugMark helps us do that," says Sherpa. More >

In Brad Grinnen's mind there is no distinction between his work designing and manufacturing Tibetan rugs and his commitment to bettering the community. "My faith is so much a part of me that it wasn't a love of rugs that took me to this work, it was my love of humanity," he says. To that end, Grinnen allied his recently formed company with RugMark. "I only work with RugMark licensed factories," he says emphatically. "It is the only way I know to guarantee child labor is not used in the production." More >

Northfield Carpets International (NCI) 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 >

Founded in 1998 by the husband-wife team of Joseph and Aurelie Carini, Carini Lang produces fine handmade rugs from Nepal. The Carinis believe that a rug’s essence is how it appeals to the eyes and heart. Carpets are much more than floor coverings. Each rug represents the energy of all the individuals involved in its making. The conditions and circumstances in which the carpet is produced leave traces in the carpet that will eventually be in someone’s home. So it is essential that the process of making the carpet be positive. This means that a rug made with the use of child labor will send a negative vibe. One can see it in the carpet and feel it in the room. The carpets do indeed speak for themselves. Carini Lang’s participation in RugMark ensures that the rugs speak of beauty – inside and out. 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 >

Custom Cool’s founder Eliza Gatfield’s decision to start producing rugs was more than a business decision. As an architect who has also studied fine arts and textiles, Gatfield describes her decision to create rugs as a coming home. “It was a perfect synthesis of my skills as a fine artist and an architect,” she explains. But as a devout Christian, even before she discovered RugMark, she knew she would never produce rugs using child labor. When she heard about RugMark, she says, “My hair stood on end.” It was the perfect fit with her values. More >

When Alicia Keshishian was ready to expand her textile art business to include rugs in 2004, she contacted RugMark to ensure she partnered with weaving facilities that are child-labor-free. Alicia, who runs "Carpets of Imagination" with husband Bill Bramblett, believes the love of color and texture are in her DNA. 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 >

With its prestigious showroom in Toronto, Canada, InSTYLE Rugs has become the choice of architects, interior designers and discerning buyers from around the world. For an entirely individualized product, InSTYLE designers can create a rug around artwork, a special theme, a company logo or other concepts. In addition, each InSTYLE rug carries the RugMark certification label to ensure only skilled, adult artisans were involved its creation. More >

Textile artist, Rosemary Hallgarten, believes it is a great privilege to be able to align her personal values with her work. To that end, when she began making rugs in Nepal, she joined RugMark. “With RugMark,” she explains, “I am not only sure that the work is done in decent conditions, but also that I am contributing to the education of the workers and their families.” Family is important to Hallgarten. She works closely with families of rug artisans in small communities in Peru, Brazil and Nepal. “Each country has different techniques and materials, and it is important to me that these crafts, these traditions are not lost. I can help preserve them by helping to support the families.” More >

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 >

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a concentration in painting, printmaking and textile design, Judy Ross traveled to India in 1989. In Kashmir she discovered the ancient art of chain stitch embroidery and was inspired to transfer her drawing ideas to fabric and yarn. The stitch gives the design another edge, as well as an organic, living quality. Judy’s rooted experience in South Asia led to her support of RugMark, through which she can contribute to the education of children in artisan communities who often cannot afford school. More >