Morgan Bailey was tired of replacing the rugs she’d bought at big box stores every nine months (“thanks to my toddler and golden retriever!” she says), so when she moved into a new home in 2020, she took the opportunity to search for something durable, high quality, and family-friendly.
“I was searching for bright and colorful rugs but couldn’t find the right fit,” Bailey says. “After trying out various suppliers and facing some trial and error, I eventually found a few beautiful pieces.” So beautiful, in fact, that when her family and friends saw her new rug, they wanted one, too. And that’s when it came to Bailey: There might be a market for these in Charlottesville.
KES Collections (short for Keswick, where her business is located) launched in April of 2020. Bailey sources the rugs—which range in size from 2’x3′ to 18’x22’—from artisans in India or Turkey, always on the lookout for new ideas and designs.
“You can count on us to introduce two to four fresh styles every month or put a new spin on your favorite existing design in a new colorway,” she says.
Bailey prides herself on the custom touches she offers, like being able to order rugs down to the inch for a client’s own specifications. She hand-selects threads from more than 1,400 hues, many of them matching directly to a Benjamin Moore paint color. Customers can choose from a selection of in-stock rugs at one of four local retailers—Brigid and Bess and Flooring Fashions, as well as Gramercy Collective and Gild and Ash in Richmond—but Bailey likes it best when she gets to put her own personal stamp on a project. To that end, KES Collections offers 2’x2′ samples of most designs, as well as in-house design consultations.
“I love being able to meet and get to know my clients while creating a beautiful heirloom piece that will last a lifetime,” she says. “Let’s not just decorate your space—let’s craft a story.”
