Armadillo is drawn to natural fibres because they are sustainable and as practical as they are beautiful. By their very nature, they possess subtle, unique variations and have a rich, tactile, sensory feel that you won’t find with manmade materials and that makes them a pleasure to live with. 

The natural fibres we carefully source for our rugs not only add visual and physical warmth to the home, they are also incredibly durable and easy to care for. A rug made from wool, jute or linen feels incredibly luxurious underfoot and will wear in, not out, over time, making them ideal for modern living.

Most people are very comfortable with wool as it’s a fibre we know and love. Armadillo source their wool from all over the world, including New Zealand, India, Argentina and Europe. Wool feels luxurious, is easy to care for, has good natural stain resistance and helps to absorb sound. 

Jute is a hardwearing yet supple fibre suitable for both residential and light commercial spaces. It softens over time and is perfect for usage from family-friendly floor coverings to inviting office interior accents.

Linen is extremely durable and has a soft handle lustrous texture. In addition to its tactile beauty, it possesses exceptional anti-bacterial, anti-static and non-allergenic properties, making it an ideal material for everyday use.

Silk is a beautiful natural fibre with a soft feel and a gentle sheen. Despite its elegant appearance, it is surprisingly strong and durable. Cool to the touch in summer and providing warmth in winter, it is suitable for year-round use.

The choice simply comes down to which rug you like best and which one is more suitable to your needs.

Armadillo rugs are handmade on looms by traditional artisans in India. Different weaving techniques and weights of yarn create variations in the finished styles and designs.

Armadillo rugs are individually produced on traditional looms that are hand-powered by artisans. No mechanical assistance is used during the weaving process except for the zigzag stitching on our Braid rug, which is done with a manual sewing machine.

By making the rugs by hand, Armadillo has chosen to embrace the organic natural variation that is evident. Machine-made rugs are more likely to appear ‘perfect’ but lack in unique character, while individual weaving techniques give handmade rugs their distinctiveness, like the beauty marks of a truly unique, one-off artwork.

Flat-weave rugs are handmade on a loom by weaving horizontal yarns through the vertical yarns (warp). They have the strength to withstand high-traffic areas, are easier to clean and suit people with allergies or pets.

Hand-knotted rugs are incredibly labour-intensive and involve the artisans tying individual knots to the warp yarns that make up the length of each rug. Together, these intricate knots form a lavishly soft and plush pile.

Armadillo rugs are durable but will require maintenance to keep them looking good. You can expect a rug from the Classic Collection to last for at least 5 years, provided it is well-maintained and used in a residential environment (less if used in high-traffic areas). Rugs from the Heirloom Collection, if properly looked after, can be expected to last for decades.

For all custom sized rugs and runners, please contact a member of our team who will happily assist you with your order.

The golden rule is to attend to the spill or stain as quickly as possible to minimise the risk of permanent damage.

For small spills, place a damp chamois over the spill and apply reasonable pressure to draw up as much liquid as possible. If the stain is still apparent, you will need to repeat the process and, if necessary, moisten with water or a solution of mild detergent. We recommend a wool treatment to help with this. Ensure you remove all traces of the detergent by diluting the stained area with minimal water and then draw as much of the liquid up as possible again. You can cover it with a colourfast cloth and weigh down the area for a few hours. Never saturate or vigorously rub the stain.

Armadillo only uses the highest quality Chromatone dyes to maintain colour consistency and reliability. We also use many undyed natural fibres in our range. Depending on the colour to be dyed and the yarn, different products are used to offer the highest quality possible. All of these are free of harmful benzene chemicals.

As the rugs are handmade, sizes can vary by 4% for stock rugs and 3% for custom rugs from the dimensions ordered. Every effort is made to ensure there is minimal colour variation, however, some can be expected.

All natural fibres will be affected in some way by the sun. There is no hard and fast rule – the amount of sun and its intensity are the most obvious factors to consider. Avoiding the harsh, western sun where possible is desirable to reduce fading. We recommend rotating your rugs to minimise damage caused by direct sunlight.

An underlay is laid beneath your rug or runner to prevent slipping, provide extra comfort and extend the life of your rug. It is highly recommended for all rugs.

An underlay can be placed on smooth or hard floors (timber, parquet, laminate, tile, stone, marble, cork and PVC floor coverings) and on heated floors. It can also be used on carpets to prevent rugs from creeping. Newly sealed floors must be completely dry and cured before laying any rug or underlay.

Our underlays measure 3mm in thickness with a light adhesive finish on both sides.

We call these pop-ups. Depending on the type of rug, you may see a strand of fibre sticking up from your brand new rug. These will occur as the rug settles. Trimming of pop-ups is usually required every couple of weeks for the first few months, but they should slow down as the rug settles into position.

We highly recommend adding Premium Surface Protection (Microseal) to every Armadillo rug. Premium Surface Protection treatments create a protective barrier that reduces the impact of UVA and UVB rays, helping to preserve the rug’s colour and appearance for longer. Unlike other products, this protection treatment penetrates and coats each fibre, eliminating the need for reapplication after cleaning and lasting through 10 commercial cleans. All rug orders with Premium Surface Protection are treated before dispatch by an approved applicator. This treatment truly makes everyday care and maintenance easier, ensuring your rug remains beautiful for years to come. 

Feel free to contact one of our team members in the showroom for a quote.

Our showroom is open to both the public and trade customers from Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, with free parking available via the Sussex street entrance. We are also open Saturday’s by appointment so please either email or call us in the showroom to secure your spot. 

Our knowledgeable interiors team are always here to assist you with your projects.

Yes, we can send rug samples directly to your door, complete with a prepaid return courier label for your convenience. Alternatively, you’re always welcome to visit our showroom to collect samples in person with support from our team that can provide expert advice to help you select the perfect rug for your home.

Yes - Our lovely team of expert interior consultants are here to help guide you on making the best purchase for your home or project. We offer personalised advice in our showroom, as well as home consultations within the Auckland region. If you’re based elsewhere, you’re welcome to share photos of your space with us, and we can provide tailored recommendations. We also offer a sample service, sending pieces directly to your door anywhere in New Zealand so you can view them in situ. We would love to hear from you.