FAQ
Why Choose a Cowhide Rug
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BESPOKE COWHIDE RUGS? Bespoke cowhide rugs offer a level of durability and character that mass-produced rugs simply can't match. Since each hide is completely unique, no two rugs are ever exactly alike — you're getting a genuinely one-of-a-kind piece, not a printed pattern repeated across thousands of units. Cowhide is also naturally stain-resistant and holds up for years with simple care. Because ours are made to custom order, you can tailor the size, shape, and color palette to fit your exact space, rather than settling for whatever comes off the shelf. And since the hide is a by-product of Argentina's beef industry rather than a product raised for its skin, it's also a more responsible material choice than many people assume.
WHAT MAKES HANDMADE LEATHER RUGS UNIQUE COMPARED TO MACHINE-MADE? A handmade leather rug is built hide by hide, not printed or mass-produced. We hand-select each cowhide for color and quality at the ISO 9001-certified tannery we work with, cut the patches with precision metal matrices, and lay out every panel by hand so the colors and pattern work together. The panels are joined with a strong industrial zig-zag stitch that keeps seams secure and nearly invisible. Because we oversee every step, from selecting the hides to the final layout, we can customize size, shape, and color combination to order, which simply isn't possible with a mass-produced rug. The result is a rug with real depth, texture, and natural variation, the kind of character that comes from working with natural hide one piece at a time.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A CUSTOM COWHIDE RUG? Since every rug is made to order, production time depends on size. Smaller rugs (around 5 x 8 ft) typically take 4–5 weeks, while larger sizes (up to 12 x 15 ft) can take 12–14 weeks. We'll always confirm an estimated timeline for your specific size and design when you request a quote.
ARE COWHIDE RUGS GOOD FOR HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS OR HOMES WITH PETS? Yes. Cowhide is a naturally durable, stain-resistant material that holds up well in busy areas of the home. It doesn't shed the way some natural-fiber rugs do, and spills wipe away easily with mild soap and water. Many of our clients use these rugs in living rooms, entryways, and other high-traffic spaces for exactly this reason.
DO YOU SHIP TO THE UNITED STATES? Yes — most of our clients are based in the United States, and we also ship worldwide. Every rug ships directly to your door via DHL Express, with shipping included in the price. Production and delivery timing depends on your rug's size; check the listing for your specific size's estimated arrival window.
Customization & Ordering
CAN WE MODIFY THE PATCH SIZE OF THE MODELS? Yes, you can customize the size of the patches, but we will pass on the additional fee to make the customized matrix. If you change the patch size to be larger than our standard, there may also be an additional cost per square meter, as it may require additional hides to fulfill your request. Please inquire for details.
WHAT SIZES CAN YOU MAKE? We can customize to any size you need, in a square, rectangle, or round shape.
WHAT COLORS CAN WE ORDER? We only work with natural cowhides, so we can offer any natural cowhide color.
CAN WE HAVE THE RUG ALL IN THE EXACT SAME SHADE? When a cowhide patchwork rug is ordered in a single color family, we carefully select hides that are as close in shade as possible — typically within 3 tones lighter or darker. Once the pieces are cut, we lay them out carefully so the panels work together into a cohesive, beautiful final piece. If you want the shades to be extremely close to identical, that's possible too, but it requires more time to source the right hides and increases cost, since we're only able to use a small portion of each hide.
HOW CLOSE WILL MY RUG BE TO YOUR COLOR SAMPLE PHOTO? It will be very similar, but since no two cowhides are exactly alike, it won't be identical. Expect natural variation of about 3 tones lighter or darker than the sample shown.
CAN YOU GIVE ME AN ACTUAL HIDE SAMPLE TO SEE THE COLOR? We generally discourage this, since no two cowhides are alike in color — a physical sample wouldn't guarantee an exact match to your finished rug anyway.
CAN WE ORDER A SMALL SAMPLE OF THE STYLE WE'RE INTERESTED IN? Yes — we can make a small sample so you can see the patch style, quality, and finishing, and get a sense of the color combination. Please inquire for pricing.
Materials & Sourcing
WHERE DO YOUR COWHIDES COME FROM? All of our hides come from Argentina. They're collected in accordance with local protection and conservation regulations, primarily from the northern region of the country, which is known for the most diverse and exotic natural coloring.
HOW ARE THEY PROCESSED? Our hides are treated with a blue chromium process — an advanced, highly methodical technique that few tanneries are equipped to perform. The process runs under strict quality control, and our tannery holds ISO 9001 certification, meaning it meets internationally recognized standards for consistent product quality.
DOES THE TANNING PROCESS POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT? No. Argentine law requires tanneries to follow strict, closely monitored waste disposal procedures.
WILL THE HAIRS FALL OUT? No. Our hides are tanned using an advanced method specifically designed to keep the hair securely in place — unlike many lower-quality cowhide products.
ARE THE COWS ENDANGERED FOR THEIR HIDES? No. The hide is a by-product of the meat industry, not the primary product. Argentina is the world's largest exporter and consumer of beef, and our cowhide sourcing relies entirely on that existing supply chain.
Durability & Everyday Use
HOW DURABLE ARE THESE RUGS? Very. With basic care, a cowhide rug will last for many years.
WHERE CAN WE USE THE RUG? Anywhere — on the floor, mounted on a wall, or even used for upholstery. Get creative with it.
DO THEY HAVE ANY SMELL? Yes, a natural, pleasant leather scent — similar to a quality leather handbag or jacket.
HOW IS THE STITCHING DONE? We use a narrow zig-zag stitch, and match the thread color as closely as possible to the surrounding hide so the stitching stays subtle — unless you specifically request a contrasting thread color.
WHAT'S THE HAIR LENGTH LIKE? We work with a mix of short, medium, and long hair, generally falling in the short-to-medium range.
HOW DO I CLEAN AND CARE FOR A COWHIDE RUG? Cowhide is naturally stain-resistant. Regular vacuuming keeps dust and debris off, and most spills wipe away easily with a damp cloth and mild soap. For full care instructions, see our Cowhide Care Instructions page.
Have a question that's not answered here? Contact us — we're happy to help.