Help
Frequently asked questions
The rugs
Where do your rugs come from?
All our rugs are handwoven by Amazigh (Berber) artisans in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. We source directly from cooperatives we have visited personally, cooperatives we first connected with through the Salon Marocain de l'Artisanat.
Are the rugs truly handmade?
Yes, entirely. Each rug is woven by hand using techniques passed down across generations. Because of this, slight variations in pattern, colour, and size are natural and part of what makes each piece unique.
What materials are used?
Our Berber rugs are made from natural wool. The wool is sourced locally and handled with minimal processing, giving the rugs their characteristic texture and durability.
Can I order a custom rug?
Yes. We accept custom orders on a case by case basis. Reach out to us at salam@tissireatelier.com with your desired dimensions, colour palette, or style references. Please note that once production of a custom order has begun, it cannot be cancelled or returned.
Do you work with interior designers?
We welcome enquiries from interior designers and decorators. We do not have a formal trade programme at this time, but we are happy to discuss your project directly. Write to us at salam@tissireatelier.com
The Zellij tables
How many chairs fit around a round table?
Every table is made to order in your size. Here is what fits around each diameter:
| Diameter | Bistro chairs | Comfortable seats |
|---|---|---|
| Ø 60 cm | 3 to 4 | 3 |
| Ø 90 cm | 4 to 5 | 3 to 4 |
| Ø 100 cm | 5 to 6 | 4 to 5 |
| Ø 120 cm | 6 to 7 | 5 to 6 |
| Ø 140 cm | 7 to 8 | 6 to 7 |
Bistro chairs are the narrow café type without armrests. Comfortable seats means wider chairs with room to move.
Our bases fold flat and have no corner legs, so chairs tuck in anywhere around the table, not just between the legs.
Ø 60 and Ø 90 cm can be ordered directly from any table page. Larger sizes are made on request: message us with the size you want and we will quote you.
How long does a Zellij table take to arrive?
Every table is made to order in Salé, which takes 2 to 4 weeks, and at least 4 weeks for the 90 cm size. Delivery then takes 1 to 2 more weeks with UPS or a private courier, whichever serves your address best. All in, count roughly 3 to 6 weeks from order to your door. We keep you updated while your piece is being made.
How long does a zellige coffee table take?
Coffee tables are cut to your size after you order, which takes 3 to 4 weeks in Salé, then 1 to 2 weeks in transit. Count 4 to 6 weeks from order to your door, and we send you photos of your finished top before it ships. Round side tables are a little quicker, roughly 3 to 6 weeks in total.
What is the tabletop made of?
Hand-cut Zellij ceramic tiles, shaped one by one with a hammer and chisel in Salé, then set in cement, the traditional bed for Zellij. Cement stands up to full sun without softening or warping, and it keeps the surface flat for years of life outdoors. The base is wrought iron in matte black, and it folds flat.
Will the design look the same on a smaller diameter?
The design photographed is the 60 cm top. On smaller diameters (20 to 50 cm), the artisan concentrates the pattern on the heart of the design: every piece is cut by hand, and below a certain size the fine outer border becomes too small to cut true. Expect the centre motif to lead, with the border simplified or set aside. Designs with a framed border are the most affected.
Can the table live outside all year?
The Zellij tiles are frost-resistant and the cement top handles the seasons well, even in full summer sun. During heavy rain spells and through the snow season, protect the table with a waterproof cover or bring it indoors: water that sits and freezes stresses the grout lines over time, and the iron base lasts longest when it stays dry.
Can I order just the tabletop?
Yes. Every top is cut to order by hand, so you can order it without the base. Simply select Tabletop only on the product page, or write to us on WhatsApp or at salam@tissireatelier.com with the design you have in mind.
What if I am away when my table is delivered?
No problem. Your table is made to order, so just tell us your dates and we will time the shipment for when you are back.
Custom orders
Can I order a custom or larger size?
The 90 cm diameter is now a standard option on every table page, alongside 20 to 60 cm. Anything beyond that, larger diameters, ovals, rectangles, or your own colours, is made to measure on request: write to us on WhatsApp or at salam@tissireatelier.com and we will send you a quote within a day. Custom pieces take at least 4 weeks in the atelier.
I would like my own design. Can you make it?
Yes. Send us your idea: a sketch, a photo, or even just a colour palette. Once we agree on the design and the dimensions, we check with the artisan whether it can be cut as drawn. Zellij has real limits: some colours do not exist in the glaze range, and some shapes cannot be cut cleanly by hand. If anything needs to change, we tell you exactly what and why before we start, so you know what you are getting.
Is a custom design more expensive?
Not necessarily. If your design takes roughly the same work as the ones in the collection, the price is the same. If it needs finer cuts, more colours, or more pieces, there is a surcharge, and we always tell you the exact figure before you commit to anything.
Care
How do I care for my rug?
Shake or vacuum gently on a low setting regularly. Rotate the rug every few months to ensure even wear. For deeper care guidance, visit our full care guide.
What if my rug gets stained?
Act quickly. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, working from the outside inward. Avoid rubbing. For wool rugs, use cold water and a small amount of mild soap. Allow to air dry fully. Never place a wet rug in direct sunlight.
How do I care for my Zellij table?
Wipe the top with a damp cloth; mild soap is fine, abrasive cleaners are not. Outdoors, the tiles are frost-resistant, but during heavy rain spells and the snow season protect the table with a waterproof cover or bring it indoors, so standing water never freezes on the surface and the iron base stays dry.
Will the iron base rust?
The base is wrought iron finished with spray paint. Outdoors, depending on humidity and climate, light rust spots appearing over time are completely normal and not a defect. A quick pass of metal spray paint covers the iron and protects it again, and the base looks new.
If you would rather not do that maintenance, choose the galvanized base in the size picker on the table page, +39 € on any size. It resists rust far longer, and it is not black: galvanized iron keeps the bare zinc coating of the metal, a matte grey.
Is the galvanized base necessary for a table that lives outside?
No. In Morocco these tables have always been made with the standard painted iron base, and they live on terraces all year round. It was never an issue. When rain or normal oxidation brings a spot of rust, a small tin of metal paint, around 15 to 20 €, covers it in minutes, and one tin lasts you years of touch-ups. The galvanized base (+39 €, matte zinc grey) is simply the zero-maintenance choice, for those who would rather never think about it.
How do I care for the Beldi glasses?
Hand washing is recommended using warm water and a mild dish soap to best preserve the glass.
While dishwasher safe, gentle care will help maintain its clarity and finish over time. Dry with a soft cloth for optimal results.
Shipping
Where do you ship?
We ship across Belgium, the European Union, and internationally. Rugs and textiles are sent via Bpost (Belgium) and UPS / Post NL (EU and worldwide). Rugs, glassware, ceramics and pillow covers are dispatched from Belgium. Zellij tables are crafted in Salé, Morocco, and delivered to your door by UPS or a specialist private courier, whichever serves your address best.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock items typically ship within 1 to 2 business days. If a Beldi glass design is temporarily out of stock, we restock it first: allow 5 to 10 business days before your order ships, and we will email you right away if it needs more time. Made-to-order pieces are crafted individually for you. Custom rugs are dispatched within 2 to 3 weeks and you will receive a tracking number once your order has been sent. Zellij tables take 2 to 4 weeks to be made in Salé (at least 4 weeks for the 90 cm size), then 1 to 2 weeks for delivery with UPS or a private courier, whichever serves your address best: count roughly 3 to 6 weeks in total from order to your door. You may be called to arrange delivery, so please include your phone number at checkout.
Is shipping free?
Orders over 75 EUR ship free across the EU. Smaller orders ship free from 35 EUR in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain. For other destinations, shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location.
Returns and orders
Can I return my order?
Ready-made items can be returned within 14 days of delivery for customers within the European Union. Items must be in their original condition and unused. Made-to-order pieces, such as our Zellij tables, and custom orders are crafted individually for you and cannot be returned. If anything arrives damaged or incorrect, we will always put it right at no cost to you, as described in the questions below. To initiate a return, visit our returns and refunds page or contact us at salam@tissireatelier.com.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Please photograph the damage and contact us within 48 hours of delivery at salam@tissireatelier.com. For ready-made items, we will arrange a replacement or a refund as quickly as possible, at no cost to you. For made-to-order pieces, see the next question.
What if a made-to-order piece arrives damaged?
Every Zellij table, custom rug and made-to-order piece is crafted individually for you. It cannot be resold and is not returnable for a change of mind. If it reaches you damaged or defective, we put it right rather than refund it: photograph the piece and write to us within 48 hours with your order number. We will tell you whether the piece needs to come back to us, then repair it or have it remade for you. Return shipping, repair and remaking are all at our cost. If neither repair nor a new piece is possible, we will agree another solution with you.
What if a glass arrives broken?
Glass is fragile and we pack it accordingly, but an accident in transit is always possible. Photograph the piece in its packaging and write to us within 48 hours with your order number. You never need to send broken glass back to us. Depending on how many pieces are affected, we will refund those pieces or send you a replacement set, and the cost is always ours.
Can I cancel or modify my order?
Orders can be cancelled or modified within 24 hours of being placed, provided they have not yet been dispatched and production of a made-to-order piece has not started. Write to us immediately at salam@tissireatelier.com and we will do our best to help.
Other
How is your pricing set?
We work directly with the artisan in Salé, with no importer, no showroom and no middleman between his workbench and your door, and we keep our delivery and handling costs as low as we can. What is left, we split fairly: the artisan is paid properly for a craft that takes years to learn, and you pay for the piece rather than for a supply chain. We would rather build a long relationship with you than make a quick margin once.
How can I contact you?
By email at salam@tissireatelier.com, instagram or WhatsApp and we aim to respond within one business day.
Are your reviews verified?
Yes. All reviews shown on this site come from verified purchases on our Etsy shop, where Tissire Atelier has been trading since before this website launched. You can read them directly at our Etsy page.