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Hoffman Rugs: A family business with deep roots and proud traditions
A FAMILY TRADITION THAT CROSSED CONTINENTS
Hoffman Rugs is a five-generation family-owned business, founded in South Africa in 1952. However, the family’s weaving roots go deeper than that. Weaving has been the family’s tradition since 1731 in Rosenheim, southern Germany.
After the family emigrated to South Africa in 1950 they founded the company in a rented two-roomed house at a Monastery in Natal. Two wooden looms and two spinning wheels, which had accompanied the family in their sea freight became the foundation of the business.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND EARLY CHALLENGES
Initially sourcing raw materials was a challenge as the local textile industry was not established at the time. With the help of some local Zulu women, local cloth was cut into lengths, prepared for the looms and fed into the shuttles, ready for weaving.
Since those days, everything from cut-up cloth through to Nylon and Trevira, then Karakul wool and Mohair, and more recently English, New Zealand and Anatolian wool has been experimented with. It has all been spun and woven into a wide range of floor rugs, curtaining, throws, tablecloths and cushion covers.
BLENDING CULTURES AND IDEAS INTO SOMETHING UNIQUE
Since the early days, Hoffman has blended European and African cultures, bringing them together to create a unique product with new ideas, weaves, designs and motifs. The company has its own family-style traditions with fond memories of end-of-year Holiday parties featuring long tables laid with German and Zulu foods, specially wrapped presents for everyone and Zulu singing and dancing.
AN ETHOS THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
Today Hoffman remains a family affair, and true to its original mission; to uplift local community, create products of exceptional beauty and quality, and continue the ancient crafts of hand-spinning and weaving. Each rug is handmade to the highest standards, with a focus on quality craftsmanship.
To this day, Hoffman maintains complete control over the entire production process—from the initial design, to hand combing, dying and spinning the fibers, to making the very final stitch. This ensures each rug is a unique masterpiece.
WHY WE LOVE HOFFMAN
We love that Hoffman is not just a business, it’s a family. Like South Africa itself, the company blends cultures, traditions and creates something truly special. Commissioning a rug from Hoffman is a unique experience as they can create custom pieces in virtually any size, color, and design. The rugs are reversible, fully washable, and easy to maintain, making them as practical as they are beautiful. You will feel and see the warmth, quality and beauty underfoot.
All images courtesy of Hoffman Rugs.