OBEETEE launches their new London Design Centre Showroom

More than 100 years since it was founded, OBEETEE has returned to its British roots with the opening of its first permanent London showroom

As of Monday 9 March, OBEETEE‘s permanent showroom opened alongside London Design Week 2026 at the Design Centre in Chelsea Harbour, making it the perfect opening celebration.

The launch during London Design Week marks a significant moment for the 105-year-old rug house, reconnecting the brand with the market where its story first began.
 

The Backstory

Established in 1920 under British ownership, OBEETEE built its reputation on hand-loomed rugs woven in northern India, made with precision, patience and material intelligence. Its name itself reflects this heritage, derived from the initials of its early British promoters, including Oakley, Bowden and Tayler, whose vision established a cross-continental enterprise grounded in Indian craftsmanship and global design exchange.

Working with thousands of skilled artisans across India, the brand places craftsmanship, sustainability and social responsibility at the heart of its practice. One example is the barcodes attached to each rug, which informs the buyer on the weaver behind their statement carpet purchase.

Its rugs are made from natural fibres using environmentally conscious production processes, while initiatives supporting education, women’s training and community development help sustain both craft traditions and the communities behind them.

The Design Centre London Showroom

The new showroom presents rugs as architectural elements rather than decorative afterthoughts. The collections on display explore scale, texture and restraint, with an expansive palette of designs.

As part of its London debut, OBEETEE has also partnered with British designer Luke Irwin, a long-time friend of the brand. His work features in the showroom windows, with the collaboration expected to open further opportunities for creative exchange.

Collections and services

Designed as a resource for architects and interior designers, the Chelsea Harbour space offers bespoke design services, custom palettes and material development. The approach reflects a growing demand for rugs that balance provenance with a forward-looking sensibility, particularly within residential, hospitality and large-scale architectural projects.

One collection featured is Silk Road, which references historic routes of cultural exchange through layered pattern and nuanced tones. Throughout the space, traditional weaving techniques are interpreted through a contemporary lens, resulting in rugs that feel both assured and relevant within today’s interiors.

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The London showroom forms part of Obeetee’s wider international growth strategy, strengthening the brand’s presence across key design markets including India, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. With bespoke and contract commissions playing an increasingly important role in its global business, the London base will support closer relationships with international design studios and developers.

Shaped by both its British origins and Indian craftsmanship, OBEETEE’s story has long been defined by cross-cultural exchange. Its return to London therefore represents more than a commercial expansion, signalling a renewed connection with one of the geographies that defined its identity.

As the brand continues to expand internationally, its new London presence provides a platform for the next chapter of its design story – one that balances heritage craftsmanship with a global outlook.

Words by Libbi Kettle