Founded by Giovina Carabba in 2019, Tapistelar is a textile studio where Colombian heritage craft meets Italian luxury design. The result is a distinct aesthetic that celebrates Colombia’s artisan tradition, the honest beauty of natural materials, and the joy of selfexpression and diversity.
Designed in Rome and produced in Bogotá, the studio’s refined pieces are handwoven mainly from Furcraea fibre, known locally as fique, by skilled Colombian artisans. Honouring a centuries old technique, each rug requires a laborious weaving process that takes up to 40 days to complete.
The nature-inspired tones, intricate patterns and, above all, the rich texture of the materials define the character of every piece, making them absolutely unique and highly customizable. Exceptional but never overstated, Tapistelar’s designs bring casual elegance and tropical luxury to any space.
The Fique Plant (Furcraea Andina)
This succulent plant is native to the Andean regions of Colombia. Since pre-Columbian times, locals have used fibres extracted from the leaves of the Furcraea tree to weave coffee bags, baskets, hammocks and other everyday objects. For centuries, the art of weaving fique has been taught by parents to their children, generation to generation.
Weaving Luxury - How We Do It
The fibres used in our designs come from fique plants grown and processed by local families in the mountainous region of Santander, Colombia. To extract the fibres from the leaves, they cut the outermost layer of the plant –so that it may continue growing– and manually remove the pulp. The resulting fibres are dried in the sun, while the pulp is used as fertiliser in nearby crops.
The dried fibres are then immersed in boiling water, dyed with natural dyes, and once again sun-dried. Next, they comb the fibres to soften them and separate the short fibres from the long ones, as only the latter are used to weave the carpets in manual looms once transferred to Bogotá.
The Magic in the Details
All of Tapistelar’s rugs are made to order using manual looms and fique fibre with pure copper, stainless steel and/or brass threads; or only in natural fique fibre if preferred.
maximum width: 450 cm, maximum length: no limits. shapes possible: square, circular or rectangular. Bespoke shapes also available.
Rugs can be made in any colour combination (up to 3 colours) from our colour palette. See page 13.
Border can be customised as preferred at no added cost (flat, triangles or fringes). See page 43.
Timing for production and shipping is 12 weeks for any size.
All horizontal loom rugs come with backing underneath for comfort, resistance, and anti slip performance. If used as wall covering, a thinner backing can be applied.
If you would like a quote, samples, colour palette, additional photos of a reference, or any other information, please contact us at info@tapistelar.com
Tapistelar Colour Palette
We offer a range of 36 colours, all hand dyed in the mountains of Santander, Colombia. From warm terracottas to deep blues, delicate neutrals, and flaming reds, our palette is broad and allows for playful combinations. We also offer a range of pure metal threads: copper, brass and stainless steel.
#32C Red Purple
#47C Scarlet
#57C Lava Red
#16C Red
#27C Antique Pink #29C Flamingo Pink
#23C Lilac
#48C French Blue
#18C Ocean Blue
#49C Cobalt Blue
#22C Purple #28C Sky Blue
#58C Steel Blue
#07C
Aquamarine #10C Lime Green
#21C Light Blue #11C Emerald Green
#26C Water Green
#12C Dark Green #13C Yellow
#17C
Terracotta
#30C Leaf Green
#52C Dark Mustard
#25C Red Brown
#02C Natural #33C Grey
#03C Tan
#14C Orange
#15C Burnt Orange
#05C Coffe Brown
#19C Mustard Yellow #09C Black #01C White
#04C Sand
#53C Bone
#34C Light Grey
brass copper stainless steel
Tapistelar Applications
Any rug design seen in this catalogue can be produced as a fabric. Our fabrics are suitable in the following applications: upholstery, wall coverings, panels, lighting and more…
Tapistelar Rugs
All our rugs are woven in manual wooden looms by our expert artisan partners in Bogotá, Colombia. We offer horizontal and vertical loom rugs, and all designs are available in 2 colour/metal combinations from our range of 36 hues (see page 13).
HORIZONTAL Loom Rugs
Firm Furcraea and Metals Rugs (pages 20-42)
Woven in looms as wide as 450 cm, these tightly entwined rugs are designed to last for generations. Made of extra resistant materials, double woven, and featuring a sewn backing, these are our hardest wearing rugs. Available in a combination of Furcraea and metals, or only metals.
Ideal for: Modern homes. Luxurious and contemporary, these rugs convey a polished look.
Lightweight Rugs (pages 44-51)
These 100% Furcraea fibre rugs are also handwoven in horizontal looms, but they don’t feature metals or backing, making them lighter and flexible. They offer a more relaxed look that celebrates the beautiful imperfections of a handmade object.
Ideal for: Lovers of luxury artisanship and those looking for a more laid-back feel. Also better suited to tighter budgets.
VERTICAL Loom Rugs
Knotted Rugs (pages 52-55)
Knotted Rugs are lush, warm, and oh-so-soft to walk on. Heavy and textured, these 100% Furcraea rugs are woven in vertical looms and have an extra chunky finish.
Ideal for: Living rooms and bedrooms, where they create a welcoming atmosphere. Also great for a playful high-and-low look in classically elegant spaces.
Firm Furcraea and Metals Rugs
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
ADORABOLD - FAB I
Some examples of possible colour combinations
BABY ZIGGY - FAB II
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Emeral Green, Red Brown, Stainless Steel
Natural, Stainless Steel Black, Copper
Dark Green, Grey, Copper
White, Copper
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
BOLD EDITION - FAB III
Some examples of possible colour combinations
CORRALITO - FAB IV
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Terracotta, Dark Mustard
Sand, Mustard Yellow, Brass
Tan, Stainless Steel, Copper
Sand, Steel Blue, Terracotta, Brass
Red, Ocea Blue, Sand, Copper
Sand, Stainless Steel
Corralito weave. Sand, Mustard Yellow, Brass
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
CURITI - FAB V
Some examples of possible colour combinations
-
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Terracotta, Stainless Steel
CURUMANÍ
FAB VI
Sand, Copper
Natural, Copper
Dark Mustard, Brass
Dark Green, Copper
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
FAITHFUL - FAB VII
Some examples of possible colour combinations
PROJECT RUNWAY - FAB
X
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Sand, Tan, Copper Emeral Green, Red Brown, Stainless Steel
Coffee Brown, Natural, Copper
GUAINIA - FAB VIII
ITUANGO - FAB IX
Stainless Steel
Sand, White, Dark Green, Copper
White, Light Grey, Leaf Green, Brass
Natural, Mustard Yellow
Natural, Copper
Project Runway weave. Sand, White, Dark Green, Copper
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
PROPER - FAB XI
Some examples of possible colour combinations
SAN GIL - FAB XII
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Grey, Stainless Steel
Terracotta, Copper
Natural, Copper
Black, Leaf Green
Red Purple, Antique Pink
San Gil weave. Natural, Copper
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
RHOMBUS IS FOREVER - FAB XIII
Some examples of possible colour combinations
French Blue, Copper Emerald Green, Copper Ocean Blue, Copper Dark Green, Copper
Natural, Copper
Rhombus is Forever weave. Sky Blue, Copper
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
STAPLE - FAB XIV
Some examples of possible colour combinations
STAPLE LINES - FAB XIVb
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Natural, Stainless Steel
Leaf Green, Scarlet Emeral Green, Antique Pink
Natural, Dark Green
Ocean Blue, White, Copper
Find inspiration in our suggested colour combinations, or make the design your own by choosing your favourites from our palette (on page 13).
Tapistelar Edge Options
Borders for our Firm Furcraea and Metals Rugs are made by hand after the rug is cut from the horizontal loom. If you would like a quote, samples, colour palette, additional photos of a reference, or any other information, please contact us at info@tapistelar.com
STAPLE EXTRA - FAB XIVc
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Some examples of possible colour combinations
Terracotta, Copper Dark Green, Copper TRINIDAD - FAB XV Ocean Blue, Stainless Steel Terracotta, Stainless Steel RINGES BORDER METAL LINES BORDER TRIANGLES BORDER FLAT BORDER
Rhombus is Forever weave. Terracotta, Dark Mustard
Rhombus is Forever weave. Terracotta, Dark Mustard
San Gil weave. Dark Green, Natural.
Knotted Rugs
