Now that fall has firmly arrived, it's time to start thinking about floor coverings; necessary for fending off the chill and creating a sense of warmth. We've researched the neutral wool rug, searching out the best choices from familiar national retailers (no trips to the nearest Design Center necessary). Here are our top picks:
Above: Room & Board's Arden Natural High Loop Rug is woven in the US of New Zealand wool. Also available in shag and low shag; $999 to $1,999 depending on style and size.
Above: Rows of felted wool loops create the texture of West Elm's Pebble Rug; $129 to $799, depending on size.
Above: Made of New Zealand wool that is slightly felted before weaving, Pottery Barn's Dalton Shag Rug is on sale for $219 to $899, depending on size.
Above: Design Within Reach's Nesta Rug has a 3-inch-deep shag of undyed wool and is made by a Rugmark-compliant producer (ensuring that no child labor was used); $980 to $1,380, depending on size.
Above: Handwoven in India, the Chunky Braided Wool Rug from Restoration Hardware is currently on sale; prices range from $845 to $2,035.
Above: CB2's Lounge Natural Shag Rug is a 5-by-8-foot shag rug made of New Zealand wool; $299.
Above: The 6-foot-diameter Celeste Round Shag Rug from Crate and Barrel mixes three gauges of New Zealand wool to create a fluffy, high pile; $599.
Above: The hand-knotted wool Vitten Rug from Ikea; $139 to $199 depending on size.
Above: The Flokati Rug from Williams-Sonoma Home is made of New Zealand wool; $795.99 to $1,599.99, depending on size.
Above: Love Ewe Rug Tiles from Flor are easy to install (and replace, when the inevitable stain appears). Made in the US from undyed wool, they measure 19.7 inches square and are $20.99 each.