When Nilo Kilim was founded, one clear idea was at the forefront: interpreting traditional Egyptian weaving in a contemporary way. My connection to Egypt, fascination with Mediterranean designs and love of handmade textiles have shaped this approach. I am Niel Mazhar, an architect in Vienna with Egyptian and Croatian roots. In the Nile Delta, I work with weavers who are fairly paid for their work. Together, we draw on centuries-old techniques and translate them into a modern design language.
The birthplace of our kilims is Fowwa, a small town in the Egyptian Nile Delta, where they are traditionally made by hand. Here, knowledge of the craft is passed down through the generations. Nilo Kilim actively contributes to the preservation of the art of weaving and offers weavers sustainable prospects. Rather than focusing on mass production, we specialise in creating handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces Each rug is unique and is woven from high-quality natural materials.
The kilim is a durable, flat-woven rug made of wool and cotton. Our kilims are woven on wooden looms using the slit weaving technique, which involves interweaving sheep’s wool with a cotton warp. The handmade nature of the rug is always visible.
These carpets are not uniform machine-made products. They do not have perfect straight lines and angles. The irregularities of these rugs, or the ‘beauty of imperfection’, are proof of their authenticity.
Creativity and ethical production are our top priorities.
We put a lot of effort and love into developing modern designs and making sure our weavers are paid fairly.
Our collection is constantly evolving to offer our customers a colourful range of woven carpets. And if you are looking for something unique, we also offer custom-made rugs. We want each of our kilims to suit your individual taste and style.
The Nilo Kilim Studio is located in the heart of Vienna, at Burggasse 88. Here you can experience the kilims up close. There are no fixed opening hours, but you can easily book an appointment if you would like to see the kilims on site, have any questions or would like to plan a custom rug in your desired size and colours.
No commitment, no pressure – just drop by and be inspired!
You can book an appointment here:
Book your appointment and explore the kilim collection.
Burggasse 88, 1070 Vienna, Austria.
