Three Generations of Stories Underfoot: Meet the Shah Family Behind Shah Carpet Palace in Central, Hong Kong

Anyone can sell a carpet. But finding the one that fits a home perfectly, in colour, size and feeling, is an art. That belief has guided the Shah family for more than 50 years, and it’s the heart of Shah Carpet Palace in Central, Hong Kong.

This is the story of a family business that began with one apprentice and passed from father to son, and of the handmade carpets that have found their way into Hong Kong homes, offices and building lobbies. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a hand-knotted rug special, or how to choose one that suits your space, you’re in the right place.

An Apprentice with a Big Dream

More than 50 years ago, Rokhan Shah began working in the carpet and rug trade as an apprentice. His roots trace back to Persia, a land celebrated for its centuries-old carpet-making heritage. It didn’t take him long to learn the lesson that would shape everything that followed: selling carpets is easy, but delivering a quality piece that fits perfectly takes real skill.

With that in mind, Rokhan worked hard to support his family through his craft. Years later, he fulfilled a dream, opening not one but two carpet stores on Wyndham Street in Central. The business, once known as Persian Carpet Gallery, grew into what we now know as Shah Carpet Palace.

Passing the Torch to the Next Generation

After a long and active career in carpet retail, Rokhan retired in 2019 and handed the reins to his son, Haider Shah. Haider was more than ready. He had already spent over two decades working in the family business, learning it from the inside.

Under Haider’s leadership, Shah Carpet Palace has kept the same high standards of service and attention to detail, while moving the business forward. The family’s biggest gallery yet now sits in the heart of Central.

Soon after, Rokhan’s youngest son, Jaffar Shah, joined as sales manager. His easy, light-hearted manner puts customers at ease, and it helps him really understand what each person is looking for, whether it’s a bold statement piece or something quiet and soft underfoot.

Handmade Carpets with a Story

At the heart of Shah Carpet Palace is a love of handmade, hand-knotted carpets in wool and silk, chosen for their craftsmanship. The family brings together Persian and Oriental rugs from weaving traditions across Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey, from classic designs from centres such as Nain, Isfahan, Qum and Kashan to Turkish Hereke pieces, Bokhara patterns, kilims and tribal rugs.

A true hand-knotted carpet can take months, or even years, to complete, with skilled weavers tying thousands of knots by hand. That time and skill are what give a carpet its softness, durability and character.

Made Knot by Knot

A true hand-knotted carpet is woven on a loom, with skilled weavers tying thousands of individual knots by hand. A single piece can take months, or even years, to complete, depending on its size and detail. That time and skill is what you’re paying for, and it’s what gives a handmade carpet its character.

Wool and Silk: Which One?

The family’s carpets are made from wool and silk, and each has its own strengths.

• Wool is durable, naturally resilient and comfortable underfoot, which makes it a good choice for living rooms, bedrooms and busier areas of the home.

• Silk is finer and smoother, with a soft sheen that catches the light. It allows weavers to create extremely detailed designs, and is often chosen for places with lighter footfall, or as a statement piece. Some carpets combine the two, using silk highlights to bring out a pattern against a wool base.

A Place for Rugs in Every Kind of Space

In a city of fast-paced living and compact flats, a handmade carpet might seem out of place. In fact, it does the opposite. It softens hard floors, absorbs sound in high-rise flats and gives a room a sense of warmth and history. A fine silk rug can lend quiet elegance to a minimalist home, while a bold kilim brings energy to an open-plan space.

The family’s work has found its way into countless living spaces, retail showrooms and offices, and even the lobbies of major business buildings across the city. Their team helps each customer choose by room size, colour, budget and lifestyle, and shares simple tips on caring for a carpet so that it lasts for years.

What Makes Shah Carpet Palace Special

For the Shah family, a carpet is never just a floor covering. It’s a piece of culture, a link to the people who made it, and a chance to bring a little history into your home. Their mission is to preserve that heritage and introduce it to a new generation of rug lovers for whom the story behind a carpet matters as much as its design.

Visit Shah Carpet Palace

Whether you’re furnishing a new home, refreshing a favourite room or looking for a gift with meaning, Shah Carpet Palace is a place to slow down and take your time. Pay a visit to the gallery in Central, run your hands over the knots, and ask Haider, Jaffar and the team about the rug that catches your eye. Every carpet has a story, and they’ll gladly tell it.

Follow Shah Carpet Palace on Instagram , explore their website, or find their gallery in Central to see the collection for yourself. Supporting family-run businesses like this one is one of the simplest ways to help our community grow.

If you want to learn more about the entrepreneurs we feature, get in touch at info@guidefong.org. Stay tuned for our next update!