design: Woven Together

Charleston has long embraced design rooted in history, craftsmanship, and storytelling, where antique markets, preserved architecture, and locally owned boutiques reflect the city’s appreciation for pieces with character. That appreciation helped turn a friendship between two women from opposite sides of the world into Zuma Imports, a growing business centered on handmade Turkish textiles and the people behind them.

Now, that journey is entering a new chapter. Zuma Imports is set to expand later this summer into the Charleston Design District at the Navy Yard—a move that reflects how far the business has come since its early days of sourcing rugs on instinct and shared curiosity.

Founded by longtime friends Elyse Witt and Zuhal “Zu” Bulut, Zuma Imports grew from a friendship the two formed in 2008 after meeting at a Charleston CrossFit gym. Elyse grew up in the South, while Zu was raised in Turkey — differences that, at the time, neither expected would later shape a business rooted in culture, design, and authenticity. “We became friends very naturally, and over time we realized we had a shared appreciation for beautiful things, design, and culture,” Elyse says. “It never felt forced, and that’s really how Zuma started, too.”

Zu’s perspective on that early connection carries its own layer, shaped by growing up in Turkey, where handmade rugs and textiles were part of everyday life rather than objects to be collected or curated. “I appreciate it more now than I did before,” Zu says. “When you grow up around these rugs and textiles every day, you almost take them for granted because they’re just part of your normal life. It wasn’t until I started sharing that part of my culture here that I realized how meaningful and special they really are.”

What began as a girls trip to Turkey to bring a few rugs and handmade pieces to Charleston gradually sparked a larger idea as the two traveled together and deepened their interest in Turkish craftsmanship. Inspired by the country’s artisan traditions, that trip ultimately became the foundation for Zuma Imports, which they officially launched in 2015, curating handmade rugs, pottery, wooden pieces, and vintage décor while supporting women artisans and villages throughout Turkey through fair-trade practices. “We really felt like we had nothing to lose,” Elyse says. “We thought, ‘Let’s go to Turkey, buy pieces we love, and see what happens.’ We just bought things that genuinely spoke to us and hoped other people would connect with them too.”

Those early trips became more intentional sourcing journeys. Today, Zuma Imports works with long-standing partners in Turkey who help locate, repair, and restore rugs before they arrive in Charleston. “It takes years to build those relationships,” Elyse says. “Everything we bring over is one-of-a-kind, and there’s a huge amount of trust involved.”

That trust and careful curation have allowed the business to grow far beyond Elyse and Zu’s initial expectations, leading to their upcoming expansion later this summer. “We’ve been wanting to add additional space for years, and this felt like the right time,” Elyse says. “The new showroom will feel more open and give us room to really show how much we’ve grown, with space for photography and creative projects.”

Zuma’s identity extends beyond home décor, rooted in a mission to support the women behind its rugs and textiles. Portions of profits go back to artisans in Turkish villages, where many women weave from their homes while caring for their families and dealing with daily life. “Without them, we would have nothing,” Zu says. “They are really the heart of it. We try to stay with the same teams of people and keep giving them as many opportunities as possible because they’re the reason this business exists. They’re weaving in their homes, around their families, and those pieces eventually end up here in Charleston.”

The founders believe that connection to authenticity is part of why customers are increasingly drawn to vintage and handmade pieces in an era dominated by mass production and fast furniture. “We believe people are craving authenticity,” Elyse says. “There’s always been a group in Charleston who appreciate art, craftsmanship, and history, but now even more people want things that feel personal and genuine. When someone buys a rug or textile, they’re connecting to a story and a real human process.”

Despite Zuma’s upcoming expansion, the heart of the business remains rooted in the same friendship that started it all. “I hope people feel our love and appreciation for everything we bring here,” Zu says. “There’s so much care behind every piece, from the women making them in Turkey to the process of bringing them to Charleston. We really want people to feel connected to that story when they walk through the door.”

For Zuma Imports, every rug and textile reflects not just craftsmanship, but the bond that brought it across the world — and the belief that meaningful design is ultimately about the connection between cultures, communities, and people.

Zumaimports.com