Kelly

I have lived in four kitchens over the past decade, and the smallest one taught me the most. When counter space disappears under a tide of oils, spice jars, and snack bags, the answer is rarely a bigger kitchen. The answer is a smarter arrangement. After weeks of rotating jars, sliding bins, and rebuilding my … Read more

I lost an entire bag of frozen strawberries once. Not because the power went out or the freezer broke, but because they ended up wedged under a half-cow’s worth of beef at the bottom of my chest freezer. I dug around for twenty minutes, came out with frostbitten knuckles, and never found them. That was … Read more

I remember standing in my first rug gallery, completely lost. The salesperson kept saying “Heriz,” “Tabriz,” “Kashan” — and I had no idea what any of it meant. After testing dozens of oriental-style rugs in our homes over the past three years, my team and I have put together the guide I wish I’d had … Read more

If you have ever fallen down a Pinterest rabbit hole searching for the best Persian rugs, you already know the look you want: a richly patterned floor with a story behind it, something that anchors the room rather than just filling it. I have spent the last three months living with Persian and Persian-style rugs … Read more

Looking for the best cowhide rugs of ? I spent the last three months living with ten different real cowhide rugs in my home — under coffee tables, beside beds, in our entryway — and I came away convinced that a chrome-tanned genuine hide is still one of the smartest long-term purchases you can make … Read more

After three months of testing 12 sheepskin rugs in our homes and studios, the Ashler Faux Fur Rug earned our top spot for the best sheepskin rug overall. It strikes the sweet spot of cloud-like softness, machine-washable convenience, and a non-slip suede backing that stays put on hardwood. For shoppers who want the real thing, … Read more

I rolled out ten of the most popular indoor outdoor rugs on my back patio, my screened porch, and my kitchen over a full spring and summer to find the ones that actually hold up. The best indoor outdoor rugs are made from weather-resistant synthetic fibers like polypropylene and polyester, in a flatweave or low-pile … Read more

I tested natural fiber rugs in three homes over the past six months, and the difference between a great one and a regret purchase comes down to fiber type and room placement. Jute feels soft under bare feet but shreds coffee spills in seconds. Sisal laughs at dog claws but feels like sandpaper on a … Read more

I still remember the first time I walked barefoot across a seagrass rug in a coastal cottage. The texture felt firm but welcoming, the color was a warm sandy beige, and a tiny voice in my head whispered: this is what every dining room has been missing. Our team has spent the last three months … Read more

I have spent the better part of two decades helping friends, family, and now our readers at Talk of the House pick rugs that they will still love ten years from now. When someone in our circle starts hunting for a “real” rug instead of a printed copy from a big-box site, they almost always … Read more