My Grandma Swapped Her Wool Rug for This “Vintage-Inspired” Find, and It’s Made Her Space 10x Better

Written by

Morgan PryorCommerce Assistant Editor
Morgan PryorCommerce Assistant Editor
I cover must-have home products, sales, and brand launches. Prior to working at ATM, I earned my degree in Culture Writing and Criticism from NYU, and I interned at publications like CNN Underscored, TV Insider, Texas Monthly (I'm a Dallas native), and more. When I'm not writing, I'm usually at the movies or browsing in a thrift store.
published Jan 20, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Living room with sage/olive colored walls, gallery wall, black credenza, 2 peach armchairs with throw pillows, gray patterned rug, gray wardrobe/cabinet, patterned floor to ceiling curtains, sofa with patterned throw pillows, glass and gold oval coffee table
Credit: Erin Derby

I know that “grandmacore” has only just started becoming more popular in the interior design space, but I’ve been looking to my own grandma for style inspiration since I was a kid. I’ve always admired how her home isn’t trendy: It’s timeless, with a mix of new and vintage pieces that reflect her stellar taste. Her space is elevated, but it still feels lived-in and practical, and since I started living on my own, I’ve discovered that achieving that balance is harder than it seems.

Naturally, every time I visit home for the holidays, I take notes on any new additions she’s purchased for her home. A couple of years ago, I noticed that she’d swapped out the rug in her living room. She used to have a seriously soft wool rug as the room’s anchoring piece; she tried to make it work, but it shed a ton, which isn’t ideal when you own an energetic dog and host frequently. As an alternative, she found this vintage-inspired rug from SAFAVIEH, which combines beauty and function in a way all of the pieces in her home do.

What Is the SAFAVIEH Princeton Collection Area Rug?

SAFAVIEH has spent decades in the home space, starting out as a supplier of antique rugs to leading interior designers, and it produces its own rugs in the major rug-weaving parts of the world like Persia and India. The brand incorporates the country- and city-specific techniques of its global artisans into its designs. 

This particular rug has a vintage, distressed look in gray and beige tones, and it’s made of high-quality synthetic pile fiber. That and the power-loomed construction ensure a long lifespan, allowing it to hold up against the wear and tear that comes from spills, pets, and kids. Plus, the pattern is subtly raised and consists of synthetic yarns, which are soft against your feet. The pile height is half an inch, so it doesn’t shed and can be vacuumed easily.

Credit: Morgan Pryor

Why I Love the SAFAVIEH Princeton Collection Area Rug

During the holidays, I camp out in my grandparent’s living room, and I can confirm that this rug is seriously cozy underfoot. Even though there’s no shag and the fibers are short, it feels soft to the touch. I’ve even sat on the floor of the living room at some points, and I have zero complaints about this rug’s feel. For a carpet that’s so low-maintenance, that’s seriously impressive — most easy-care rugs I’ve owned haven’t felt much different from the hardwood floor underneath.

And I know for a fact that this rug sees a ton of traffic, since my grandparents are frequent hosts of family gatherings. The living room is our home base, so my family members are usually shuffling around from there to the kitchen and back. Their dog also runs around the house constantly, but you wouldn’t know that based on the state of the rug. My grandma has even spilled tea on the material, and she says that getting it out completely was a breeze.

Of course, my favorite feature of the rug is the vintage-inspired print, which appears slightly faded so as not to overwhelm the room. Sitting next to her light-colored sofas and chairs, its beige and gray tones are the perfect complement. If you’re after a room-brightening, long-lasting rug that won’t ever go out of style, then take a page out of my grandma’s book and add this gem to your cart!

Buy: SAFAVIEH Princeton Collection Area Rug, 5’3″ x 7’6″, $210.57

Apartment Therapy's Home Runs

Get full reviews of editor-favorite finds sent twice a week to your inbox.