Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about our handwoven tapestries — from installation and care to shipping, customs, and returns.
How do I hang a framed tapestry on my wall?
Our framed tapestries are substantial pieces crafted from heavy solid oak or pine. Every piece features four mounting brackets on the back (two at the top, two near the base) to ensure the frame sits perfectly flush against the wall and distributes weight evenly.
Step 1: Measure the distance between all four brackets on the back of the frame.
Step 2: Transfer these measurements to your wall using a spirit level.
Step 3: Drill holes and insert wall anchors appropriate for your specific wall type.
Step 4: Screw in your screws and carefully hang the tapestry on all four points simultaneously.
We recommend two people for larger formats. The four-point system prevents wood warping over time, eliminates unwanted shadows, and keeps the frame perfectly parallel to the wall — essential for the clean Japandi aesthetic our pieces are designed for.
How do I hang a rod-mounted (hanging) tapestry?
Tapestries on bamboo or wooden rods are beautifully simple to install:
Step 1: Measure the width of the tapestry and mark two points on your wall, positioned just beyond the outer edges of the textile.
Step 2: Drill, insert appropriate wall anchors, and screw in two screws — leaving the heads protruding about 5 mm.
Step 3: Rest the wooden or bamboo rod on top of both screws.
The natural weight of the wool will drape and tension the composition perfectly. Gravity does the work — creating that organic, flowing presence that defines the Boho and Wabi Sabi aesthetic.
Why doesn't my tapestry include screws or wall anchors?
This is a deliberate safety decision — not an oversight or cost-saving measure.
We ship to over 45 countries. The walls in our clients' homes vary dramatically:
- USA & Canada — mostly hollow drywall (requires toggle or Molly anchors)
- Europe — solid brick, concrete, hollow block, or aerated concrete
- Scandinavia — often solid timber construction
- Australia & Asia — mixed standards
Including a single "universal" anchor would create a dangerous false sense of security. A standard European expansion plug used on American drywall will fail under the weight of a solid oak frame — potentially destroying the artwork and your wall, or worse, causing injury.
We strongly recommend visiting your local hardware store with the weight of your tapestry (listed in the product description) and asking a specialist to recommend the correct anchoring system for your specific wall type. This ensures your artwork hangs safely for decades.
How do I clean and care for my wool tapestry?
Natural wool is remarkably self-maintaining thanks to lanolin — a natural wax that coats every fiber, repelling dust, static, and allergens.
Regular dusting: Gently brush the surface with a soft, dry cloth. You may also use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment set to the lowest possible suction — high power can pull out individual threads and loosen handwoven knots.
Never machine wash or submerge in water: Water combined with heat and friction causes irreversible felting — the wool scales lock together permanently, causing dramatic shrinkage and total loss of the original shape, volume, and softness. For spot stains, gently dab (never rub or scrub) with a barely damp cloth.
Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged UV exposure from south-facing windows causes gradual color fading — especially dangerous for pieces with subtle ombre gradients. Choose a wall with bright but indirect, diffused light.
No chemical cleaners or sprays: Commercial detergents and air fresheners strip the protective lanolin layer. The wool's natural self-cleaning properties are your best ally.
My new tapestry is shedding loose fibers — is this a defect?
No — this is completely normal. This natural process, called shedding, occurs when loose micro-fibers release from the surface during the first weeks of a new wool textile's life. It happens with all authentic, non-industrially processed sheep wool.
The shedding diminishes naturally over time and will stop completely. It is a hallmark of genuine artisan wool — distinct from synthetic factory-made textiles that don't shed because they're made of plastic fibers.
Is there a natural smell when I first unpack the tapestry?
You may notice a mild natural scent upon unboxing. This is lanolin — the organic wool wax that gives our tapestries their remarkable dust-repelling, anti-static, and self-cleaning properties. It is completely natural, safe, and non-toxic.
The scent dissipates quickly with normal air circulation. Simply ensure good ventilation in the room for a few days. Never attempt to mask it with chemical air fresheners or spray anything directly on the wool — this can damage the protective lanolin layer.
Do wool tapestries improve room acoustics?
Yes — this is one of wool's hidden superpowers. The three-dimensional, hand-sculpted texture of our tapestries acts as a natural sound absorber, significantly reducing echo and reverberation in rooms with hard surfaces like concrete walls, glass, and wooden floors.
Interior designers frequently specify our tapestries precisely for this acoustic benefit — they dramatically improve the comfort of minimalist spaces while serving as statement art. Functional beauty at its finest.
How long does production and shipping take?
Every piece is handcrafted and shipped from our studio in Poland (European Union).
Processing time: The standard processing time is 7 to 14 business days from successful payment. Some products may require a longer lead time — up to approximately 6 weeks — depending on size, complexity, and whether the piece is ready-to-ship or made-to-order. Custom Orders and project orders may have individually agreed timelines.
Transit time: Once dispatched, orders ship primarily via FedEx with premium protective packaging. Delivery typically takes 4 to 7 business days to virtually any destination worldwide (excluding weekends and local holidays in the destination country).
The waiting time is not a delay — it's the time your unique artwork needs to be handwoven, finished, framed, and carefully packed for its journey across the world.
Is shipping free?
Yes. Standard shipping is offered free of charge on all orders, unless the Store, a quotation, or an individual arrangement states otherwise.
If express shipping, special handling, oversized packaging, or other non-standard logistics are requested, additional charges may apply — these are always communicated before the order is finalized.
Please note: for orders delivered outside the European Union, local customs duties and import taxes may apply upon delivery. These are government charges separate from shipping — see our customs & duties FAQ below.
Who pays customs duties and import taxes (USA, UK, Australia, etc.)?
Within the European Union: No additional charges. The listed price includes all applicable taxes. Free movement of goods across EU borders.
Outside the EU (USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Switzerland, etc.): Your order ships on a Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU/DAP) basis. This means:
You, as the importer, are solely responsible for all local import duties, VAT/GST, state taxes, brokerage fees, and customs charges levied by your country's border agencies at the time of import. These charges are collected by the delivery courier upon arrival.
Important for US buyers: As of late 2025, the US significantly reduced de minimis exemptions for courier imports. Most shipments — regardless of value — will be subject to duties at customs clearance.
These government-imposed fees are never included in Lale Studio pricing and must be paid directly to the courier. Final customs classification and charge amounts are determined by your local authorities and may vary. We recommend checking your country's import duty rates before ordering.
Can I return a standard catalog tapestry?
Yes. In accordance with EU consumer protection law, you have a 14-day right of withdrawal from the moment you receive your parcel — no reason required.
To initiate a return: send an unequivocal withdrawal statement to team@lalestudio.com within 14 days of receiving the product. Then ship the tapestry back within the next 14 days to:
Lale Studio & Shop sp. z o.o., ul. Kolonia Stella 30, 32-500 Chrzanów, Poland
Important:
- Return shipping costs are the buyer's sole responsibility
- Due to the size and weight of framed tapestries (solid wood + wool), international return shipping with insurance can be substantial — please consider this before purchasing
- You are liable for any diminished value resulting from handling beyond what is necessary to establish the nature and characteristics of the Product
- Refund is issued within 14 days of receiving the withdrawal statement, using the same payment method
Can I return or cancel a Custom Order?
Custom Orders cannot be returned or refunded.
Under EU law, products made to your individual specifications — custom dimensions, modified colors, specific framing, custom composition — are classified as non-prefabricated goods made to the consumer's specification. The legal right of withdrawal does not apply to these items.
We offer a strict 12-hour cancellation window after placing the order — before raw materials are cut and production begins. After this window closes, or once production has started, cancellation may no longer be possible, or may be subject to deduction of costs already incurred (materials, labor, etc.).
This policy exists because custom pieces cannot be resold to another client. Every custom order consumes unique materials and dozens of hours of skilled artisan labor from the very start of production.
Are minor color or texture variations considered defects?
No. Each tapestry is handmade and some materials may also be hand-painted. Individual pieces may differ slightly from product photos, mockups, or visual references.
Such differences may include the arrangement of fibers, texture, weave tension, hand finishing, hand-painted surfaces, material tones, and minor visual details. These are not defects — they result from the artisanal, artistic, and one-of-a-kind nature of our products.
This is central to the Wabi Sabi philosophy that defines our aesthetic: beauty in imperfection, authenticity in handwork. When you purchase from Lale Studio, you own a piece that exists nowhere else in the world. That's what separates handwoven original art from mass-produced reproductions.
What should I do if my tapestry arrives damaged?
If the package arrives visibly damaged, inspect it upon delivery where possible and report the issue to the courier immediately.
For any damage — visible or discovered after opening — you must:
1. Take clear, detailed photographs of the outer packaging, shipping label, protective materials, and the damaged product.
2. Send these photos and a description to team@lalestudio.com within 24 hours of delivery confirmation.
3. Keep all original packaging materials.
This strict 24-hour window is essential for us to file insurance claims with the carrier on your behalf. Late reporting may make it impossible to pursue freight claims.
This procedure facilitates carrier claims and does not limit your statutory consumer rights regarding product conformity. We take shipping damage seriously and will work with you to resolve the situation promptly.
What happens if I refuse delivery or fail to collect the shipment?
If you refuse delivery, fail to pay required import charges, or do not collect the shipment, the order may be returned to Poland or treated as undeliverable.
In such cases, the Seller may deduct from any refund the actual costs incurred — including outbound shipping, return transport, storage, customs handling, and administrative processing. These costs can be significant for heavy, oversized framed tapestries shipped internationally.
If the shipment cannot be returned or is destroyed by the carrier or customs authority due to the buyer's fault, the refund may be reduced accordingly or may not be possible.
What can be customized?
Everything. Because we handweave every piece in our own workshop in Trzebinia, Poland, you have complete control:
- Size: Any dimension — from small formats to monumental wall-scale pieces over 200 cm
- Colors: Match your interior. Send photos, paint swatches, fabric samples, or Pantone references
- Frame: Pine natural, pine walnut, oak natural, bamboo rod, or no frame. Depth: 5 cm or 8 cm. Custom finishes available
- Design: Modify any catalog piece, or collaborate with our creative director Nikola on something entirely new
- Materials: Adjust wool density, add cotton, specify yarn weights, choose hand-dyed vs natural fibers
- Painted base: Custom painted canvas base in any color
Contact us at team@lalestudio.com or call +48 798 262 259 with your vision. We respond within 24 hours with a personalized quote.
How does the custom order process work?
Step 1 — Brief & Quote: Tell us your vision — size, colors, style, space. Send inspiration images, room photos, or Pinterest boards. We prepare a detailed, personalized quote within 24 hours.
Step 2 — Materials & Confirmation: Choose fibers, frame type, colors. We can ship material samples on request. Payment confirms the order — the 12-hour cancellation window starts here.
Step 3 — Production: Your tapestry is handwoven by our artisans. The process typically takes 7 to 40+ business days depending on complexity. We send progress photos throughout, so you can watch your piece come to life.
Step 4 — Delivery: Premium protective packaging — including custom wooden crates for large pieces, built by our wood artisan Marcin. Tracked worldwide shipping via FedEx. We can add a personalized note on the back of framed pieces — perfect for gifts.
Why are custom orders non-refundable?
Custom tapestries are created specifically for you — with your chosen dimensions, colors, materials, and framing. Once production begins, we cut wood, mix dyes, and begin weaving thousands of knots by hand — all according to your unique specification.
These materials and labor hours cannot be recovered or repurposed for another client. Under EU consumer protection law, products made to individual specification are legally exempt from the right of withdrawal.
This is why we invest significant time in the consultation phase — to ensure your vision is perfectly understood before any material is cut. We also offer material samples on request so you can see and feel the wool and colors before committing.
What materials do you use?
Our primary material is 100% natural sheep wool — warm, durable, naturally hypoallergenic, and coated in lanolin for self-cleaning properties. We also use cotton for lighter textures and acrylic selectively for specific color effects.
Frames are crafted from solid pine (natural or walnut-stained) or solid European oak. Rod-style tapestries hang from bamboo or wooden rods. Some pieces feature hand-painted canvas bases using our custom dye palette.
No synthetic fillers, no MDF, no printed reproductions. Everything is real, natural, and handcrafted.
How is each tapestry made?
Every tapestry is 100% handwoven on traditional floor looms by our artisan team in Trzebinia, Poland. The process:
1. Design and color palette selection
2. Warp setup (vertical threads tensioned on the loom)
3. Hand-weaving weft row by row — thousands of individual knots
4. Texture creation — varied pile heights, loop techniques, rya knots
5. Optional hand-painting of canvas base
6. Finishing — cutting, trimming, shaping
7. Frame construction and stretching by our wood artisan Marcin
8. Quality inspection and professional photography
9. Premium protective packaging
A single tapestry can take anywhere from one to six weeks of skilled labor.
Do you work with interior designers and trade professionals?
Yes — extensively. Lale Studio is a preferred partner for interior designers, art advisors, architects, and brands worldwide. Our trade services include:
- No minimum orders
- Flexible payment: 50/50 or staged installments
- Individual project pricing
- Material samples on request
- Branding options and certificates of authenticity
- Express production — as fast as one week
- Staged deliveries for hotel and commercial projects
- Dropshipping available
Visit our For Designers page or contact us at team@lalestudio.com to start a project conversation.
How can I contact Lale Studio?
Email: team@lalestudio.com or lale.studio.shop@gmail.com
Phone: +48 798 262 259 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–17:00 CET)
Instagram: @laleteam
Address:
Lale Studio & Shop sp. z o.o.
ul. Kolonia Stella 30
32-500 Chrzanów, Poland
We typically respond to emails within one business day. For urgent matters, call us directly.
Can I visit the studio?
Yes — studio visits are possible by appointment only. Contact us at team@lalestudio.com or call +48 798 262 259 to arrange a date and time. Our workshop is located in Trzebinia, near Kraków in southern Poland.
Still Have Questions?
We typically reply within one business day. You can also call us at +48 798 262 259 (Mon–Fri, 9–17 CET).