Bohemian design, often affectionately shortened to "boho," is not just a fleeting trend—it is a deeply rooted philosophy of living. It celebrates freedom of spirit, the poetry of imperfection, and the art of surrounding oneself with objects that carry emotional weight. Emerging in the 19th century as a response to rigid societal structures, bohemian style was born in the lofts and backstreets of cities like Paris, Prague, and New York, where artists, writers, and creatives rejected the sterility of bourgeois norms in favor of a more meaningful, expressive existence.
This wasn’t merely a rebellion—it was a quiet revolution that brought warmth, wanderlust, and whimsy into the heart of the home. These early bohemians didn’t curate spaces with catalogs; they cobbled their rooms together with hand-me-downs, market finds, and items gifted or traded among kindred spirits. The result? Spaces that were as layered as their lives—full of texture, soul, and stories. And at the core of many of these spaces lay the boho rug.
Boho rugs hold a unique position in the DNA of bohemian interiors. More than just floor coverings, they were artistic expressions in their own right—patchworks of history, memory, and cultural fusion. A Persian rug faded from sunlight and footsteps, a tribal kilim acquired during travels, or a hand-braided jute piece crafted by a friend—each rug was imbued with character and carried the patina of life well lived.
Even in the earliest iterations of Bohemian design, rugs were used with unorthodox creativity. They were hung as tapestries to insulate drafty walls and display artisanal craftsmanship, draped over chairs or tables to add texture, and layered in wild, unmatching patterns on the floor to lend softness and sound absorption in tiny flats. Their versatility made them indispensable—and their beauty, undeniable.
But where did these aesthetic influences come from?
The original Bohemian communities drew inspiration from the Romani people, inaccurately believed by 19th-century Parisians to be from the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The Romani’s nomadic culture, ornate textiles, and vibrant visual language captured the imagination of urban creatives. Soon, these early adopters began mixing Eastern European embroidery, North African textiles, and Asian motifs into their home environments. The layering of such disparate cultural elements created something altogether new—interiors that were vibrant, romantic, and above all, personal.
Boho rugs became physical manifestations of this global conversation. Oriental rugs with worn medallion centers, Moroccan Beni Ourain pieces with soft, geometric lines, and Turkish kilims featuring tribal symbology—each one was a story in woven form. They acted not only as design elements but as anchors of memory and identity in an otherwise chaotic world.
By the early 20th century, these aesthetics began to evolve again. The Bloomsbury Group in London—painters, poets, and philosophers alike—merged traditional British design with bohemian freedom. Artists painted on walls, decorated their homes with misfit furniture, and of course, placed beloved rugs in every nook and hallway. Even the surrealists and Dadaists brought rugs into their anarchic studios, using them not just functionally but symbolically—as a soft protest against the hard edges of modernism.
As the world entered the post-war period, bohemian interiors were infused with even more global and spiritual influences. Beat poets in New York, inspired by Zen Buddhism and jazz, added tatami mats and dhurries to their floors. The 1960s and '70s counterculture saw young hippies trekking to India and Morocco, bringing back vibrant textiles, patchwork rugs, and handmade tapestries that made their way into everything from California bungalows to Brooklyn walk-ups. Boho rugs became essential—not just for their look, but for what they represented: a conscious, intentional lifestyle rooted in freedom, exploration, and self-expression.
Today, the bohemian aesthetic has matured, but it remains true to its roots. The core ethos is still about layering personal history into a space, whether that’s done through a market find in Marrakesh, a handwoven rug, or a vintage wool runner unearthed from your grandmother’s attic. Modern boho design doesn’t adhere to any one rule, but if it has one anchor, it’s the rug.
Fabulive’s collection of boho rugs pays homage to this tradition while embracing contemporary needs. Designed to be as durable as they are beautiful, these rugs are crafted from natural and sustainable materials like jute, recycled denim, wool, and cotton. Their patterns borrow from centuries of visual heritage—from the dusty pinks of Turkish medallions to the intricate diamonds of Andean weaving traditions—and bring them into harmony with modern textures and color palettes.
These rugs aren’t simply designed to fill a space—they’re meant to root it. They add a sense of grounding to even the most fluid bohemian interiors. Whether placed beneath a woven papasan chair, a velvet sectional, or a rustic breakfast nook, a boho rug from Fabulive enhances the room's story while softening it, offering both visual richness and physical comfort.
And perhaps most importantly, they remain democratic in spirit. Boho rugs are for everyone—whether you’re living in a city apartment, a sun-soaked bungalow, or a tiny studio filled with art supplies and vinyl records. They don’t demand perfection. They celebrate the opposite. Their faded hues, frayed edges, and asymmetrical lines all whisper: this home is lived in, loved in, and created with care.
Deep-Thought Paragraph: Boho Rugs as Portals of Personal Expression
Boho design asks a different question of its followers—not "What’s trending?" but "What’s true?" Boho rugs, in this context, become vessels of authenticity. Unlike mass-produced decor, a boho rug carries with it a sense of story and soul. It may remind you of a market square in Morocco, a rainy afternoon of thrifting, or a summer spent in self-discovery. These rugs are textured poems, crafted from the threads of memory, heritage, and creative vision. In an era where fast decor fades with the next algorithmic recommendation, boho rugs from our site offer something far rarer: permanence without rigidity, beauty without pretense, and style that is deeply, undeniably personal. They transform your home into a sanctuary, not of trend, but of truth.
The Evolution of Boho Rugs in Modern Interiors – A Tale of Adaptability and Timeless Expression
Bohemian design, affectionately known as "boho," has always embodied a spirit of nonconformity, cultural fusion, and artistic freedom. But far from remaining tethered to the nostalgia of 19th-century ateliers or the beatnik dens of the 1950s, the boho aesthetic has proven remarkably agile, morphing, adapting, and expanding into new interior styles while still retaining its soul. One of the clearest testaments to this evolution is the modern boho rug. Once symbolic of an eccentric artist’s enclave, today’s boho rugs are design chameleons—able to thrive just as naturally in an open-concept loft as in a maximalist bungalow.
The Modern Boho Aesthetic: A Visual and Textural Renaissance
In contemporary homes, boho rugs are no longer relegated to color-saturated, kaleidoscopic rooms. They’ve taken on subtler, more refined forms to meet the tastes of modern designers and homeowners. Today’s boho rugs might showcase muted desert tones—think sand, rust, and sage—or explore minimal Moroccan grids in monochrome palettes. These rugs retain the essence of wanderlust and artistry but are now wrapped in silhouettes and hues that pair well with clean-lined furniture, minimalist lighting, and pared-down styling.
The rise of Scandinavian-boho fusion, for instance, has embraced the texture-forward design of boho rugs while aligning it with the serene, decluttered philosophy of Nordic minimalism. It’s not uncommon to see a faded tribal-print rug grounding a sleek white kitchen or a hand-braided jute runner warming a concrete-floored bathroom. This blending of form and function underscores the boho rug’s greatest strength: its ability to both soften and enrich a modern space without overpowering it.
Sustainability and the Ethical Shift in Rug Production
The bohemian lifestyle has always flirted with ideals of intentionality and conscious living. In today’s climate-aware era, this ethos has become more defined. As a result, modern boho rugs are increasingly made with ethical production practices and eco-conscious materials in mind. Jute, a rapidly renewable plant fiber, is frequently used in hand-braided boho rugs. Wool remains a staple not only for its durability but also for its natural temperature-regulating properties and low environmental impact.
Fabulive, for example, has leaned into this sustainable renaissance with a curated line of boho rugs crafted from biodegradable, responsibly sourced materials. Many of their pieces are dyed using low-impact vegetable or water-based pigments and handwoven by artisans who are paid fair wages for their craftsmanship. The result? Rugs that not only tell a global story but one that is rooted in care—for the environment, the maker, and the home they enter.
This conscious approach to design ensures that boho rugs are not only style statements but also expressions of mindful living, perfect for homeowners seeking both beauty and ethical peace of mind.
A Design Polyglot: The Incomparable Versatility of Boho Rugs
The most thrilling aspect of boho rugs in the modern era is their capacity to transcend design categories. In a world that no longer insists on stylistic purity, boho rugs act as mediators—translating bold character into even the most understated of spaces.
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In minimalist interiors, a subtly patterned boho rug introduces texture and soul.
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In industrial spaces, it breaks up rigid lines and adds tactile warmth to metal and concrete surfaces.
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In coastal homes, a bleached or ivory-toned boho rug anchors a sea-glass palette with organic calm.
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In eclectic, maximalist settings, boho rugs amplify the playfulness with pattern-on-pattern harmony.
You might see a chunky wool and jute blend grounding a walnut mid-century modern coffee table. Or a colorful Moroccan print rug lending whimsy to a room full of raw stone and brushed steel. The genius of a good boho rug is that it always makes sense—even when it shouldn't.
Integrating Boho Rugs Into Today’s Interiors: Practical Magic
Boho rugs are also functional multitaskers. Their dense weaves and complex patterns often make them ideal for hiding wear and stains, making them great companions in homes with children or pets. Yet they never sacrifice style.
Some fresh and effective ways to integrate boho rugs include:
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Layering Techniques: For added dimension, layer a smaller boho rug with vibrant tones over a larger neutral one, such as a faded kilim atop a flat-weave jute rug.
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Textile Art: Elevate your wall decor by hanging a richly patterned boho rug like a tapestry. This works especially well in bedrooms and entryways, adding texture without relying on conventional framed art.
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Transitional Zones: Place a narrow runner in hallways or kitchen walkways to soften footfalls and bring visual continuity between rooms.
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Outdoor Serenity: Use weather-resistant boho rugs in patio spaces to create a cozy, furnished feel that brings the indoors out.
No matter how you place them, these rugs serve as both décor and declaration—evidence that you live with intention and a touch of wanderlust.
The Boho Rug as Cultural Resonator and Design Compass
Boho rugs are more than décor—they are woven histories and lived philosophies. Each fiber, knot, and dye carries traces of ancient craftsmanship and modern reinterpretation. They serve as quiet revolutionaries in a world of fast design, reminding us that beauty lies not in uniformity, but in diversity and layers. They are storytellers underfoot—whispering of Moroccan medinas, Turkish bazaars, or quiet Sunday mornings spent weaving by hand. When you welcome a boho rug into your home, you're not just decorating—you're grounding your space in meaning. You’re choosing a surface that supports everyday rituals, unexpected inspiration, and a sense of lived-in luxury. In a world that’s often rushed and curated for perfection, boho rugs offer a rare and welcome rebellion: spaces that are soulful, slow, and deeply human.
Styling Your Home with Boho Rugs — Elevating Space with Eclectic Soul
Bohemian design, often called “boho,” isn’t just a style—it’s a sensibility. It's about living authentically, collecting meaning over time, and curating your home with pieces that speak to your soul. Boho rugs embody this ethos perfectly. They don’t just cover floors—they cultivate character, encourage creativity, and define your home as a personal sanctuary. Whether you're layering, mixing patterns, or using rugs as wall art, each styling decision becomes a thread in your narrative tapestry.
1. Layering for Depth, Dimension, and Drama
Layering rugs is a boho staple—and not just for aesthetic pleasure. It’s also a practice steeped in the bohemian tradition of making the most out of eclectic, collected pieces. By layering rugs, you create depth, invite texture, and express your individuality without restraint.
Start with a large base rug in a neutral tone—perhaps a woven jute or sisal. Then, add a smaller, more vibrant rug over it—maybe a Moroccan-inspired wool rug, a kilim with tribal motifs, or a patchwork overdyed piece. The bottom rug creates a visual grounding while the top rug becomes the hero, commanding attention with its patterns or colors.
You can also layer rugs in non-traditional configurations. Try offset layering—diagonally stacking rugs so that each corner peeks out. Or layer different-shaped rugs (like a round atop a rectangular) to break conventional symmetry and add visual intrigue.
Pro tip: Use this technique to highlight furniture zones—under a coffee table, beside a bed, or beneath a dining table—to infuse otherwise forgotten spaces with flair.
2. Rugs as Wall Art — Textile as Statement
Who says rugs belong only underfoot? In boho styling, walls are not off-limits for these tactile masterpieces. Hanging a rug as art transforms it into a bold visual centerpiece. The woven threads become a textured canvas that brings life, warmth, and movement to blank walls.
A detailed kilim can serve as a headboard alternative in the bedroom. A handwoven flatweave can act as a backdrop behind a console table or bench. Even smaller rugs with fringe or tufted designs can be displayed above reading nooks to mimic tapestry art.
Mount them with a curtain rod for ease and drama, or attach them with discreet Velcro or rug clips for a seamless gallery feel. This approach is especially powerful in minimalist spaces, where color and pattern from the rug introduce vibrancy without clutter.
3. Mixing Patterns and Colors — Embrace the Eclectic
Bohemian styling permits you to break the rules—but it also teaches you to do so with intention. Combining patterns and hues requires a light, confident touch. The goal isn’t chaos—it’s curation.
Pair florals with geometrics, ikat with paisley, tribal motifs with abstract brushstrokes. The secret? A unifying thread. Stick to a common color palette—warm earth tones, jewel shades, or muted neutrals—to create a sense of rhythm and cohesion.
Start with your rug as the anchor. A multicolored boho rug with oranges, plums, and teals, for instance, can inspire your entire palette. Then, choose throw pillows, curtains, and artwork that echo one or two of those hues to maintain harmony amidst variety.
Remember: Every pattern has a personality. Some whisper, some shout. Mix them like characters in a story, ensuring each has its moment without stealing the entire plot.
4. Incorporating Natural Elements — Earthy, Ethical, and Timeless
Boho design thrives in connection with nature. Woven textures, plant life, and sun-drenched tones bring a sense of calm and organic comfort into your home. Boho rugs made from natural materials—jute, cotton, wool—are tactile bridges between the indoor world and the raw beauty outside.
These fibers not only feel good underfoot but also align with eco-conscious values. Fabulive’s collection includes hand-braided jute rugs, ethically sourced wool designs, and recycled fabric rugs that reduce waste while enhancing style.
Balance natural-fiber rugs with wooden furniture, linen curtains, terra cotta pots, and rattan lighting. The result? A grounded, harmonious space that breathes easily.
5. Creating Cozy Corners — Design for Ritual and Rest
Every home needs a soft place to land. Cozy corners aren’t just design features—they’re wellness statements. Use boho rugs to carve out intimate zones that encourage relaxation, reflection, or even spontaneous creativity.
Tuck a shag rug beneath a vintage chair and add a floor lamp and soft pouf for a reading escape. Layer two rugs in an unused alcove, throw down floor cushions, and surround with books, candles, or plants to craft a meditation space.
What makes these corners so powerful is their emotional intention. A rug isn’t just cushioning; it’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and feel. In a world full of hustle, your cozy corner becomes your sanctuary.
6. Outdoor Boho Vibes — Blurring the Indoor-Outdoor Line
Boho living doesn’t end at your sliding door. With weather-resistant boho rugs, you can turn your patio, balcony, or rooftop into an open-air oasis.
Look for durable materials like polypropylene or PET blends that mimic natural fibers but hold up to the elements. Choose rugs with sunset tones, tribal patterns, or mandala designs to evoke a global, relaxed mood. Anchor seating zones outdoors, layer rugs beneath lounge furniture, or even use them as picnic setups for impromptu gatherings.
Enhance your outdoor boho rug with lanterns, woven hammocks, cane seating, and a cascade of potted greenery. The rug becomes the centerpiece of a soulful outdoor retreat.
7. Personal Expression Through Rugs — A Reflection of You
No two boho homes are alike—because no two people are. That’s the beauty of this style. Boho rugs become tools for storytelling. Maybe your rug reminds you of a street market in Morocco, a grandmother’s farmhouse, or a vintage shop in New York.
When you choose a rug that resonates with you—not just aesthetically, but emotionally—you make your space a reflection of your spirit. A rug can hold memory, mood, even aspiration.
Start a personal tradition: add a new boho rug when you move, when a season changes, or when you begin a new chapter in life. Over time, your floor becomes a map of your journey.
Rugs as Memory Keepers and Mood Shapers
A rug is more than a textile. It’s an emotional reservoir. It catches the crumbs of celebration, the footprints of little ones, the light that filters in every morning. In bohemian spaces, where design is steeped in memory and magic, rugs play a vital role—not just in aesthetics, but in the atmosphere. The fringe that brushes your ankles as you sip tea. The soft patch where you sit cross-legged to journal. The faded corner that witnessed a breakup, a breakthrough, a breath of solitude. These are the moments that embed themselves in fiber. When you walk across a boho rug, you're not just stepping on pattern—you’re stepping on presence. You’re walking across your history. And in that way, a rug becomes not only part of your décor, but part of your soul.
The Timeless Appeal and Accessibility of Boho Rugs
Bohemian rugs, or boho rugs, have long captivated homeowners and designers alike with their vibrant patterns, rich textures, and cultural significance. Their enduring appeal lies in their ability to transcend fleeting trends, offering both aesthetic beauty and practical functionality. Let’s delve into the layered factors that contribute to the timeless charm and growing accessibility of boho rugs—and why their role in interior design continues to evolve.
A Rich Tapestry of History and Culture
Boho rugs are more than decorative elements—they are living heirlooms that carry cultural memory. The legacy of Bohemian design is deeply rooted in artistic rebellion and cross-cultural dialogue. From the souks of Marrakesh to the Himalayan villages of India and Nepal, boho rugs have drawn from textile traditions that span continents and centuries.
Each motif tells a story—stars and eyes for protection, floral symbols for abundance, latticework for unity. These symbols speak to the spiritual and symbolic language that generations of artisans have embedded in their work. When you place a boho rug in your space, you are not just selecting a home accessory—you are inviting centuries of handcrafted meaning into your life.
Their unique blend of tribal, nomadic, and folk patterns reflects the diversity of human creativity. Whether it’s a Turkish kilim, a Persian overdyed rug, or a hand-knotted Moroccan piece, boho rugs channel stories of love, war, nature, and ritual. That storytelling is what keeps them relevant—they’re not simply aesthetic relics; they are timeless reminders of human connection and handmade heritage.
Versatility Across Design Styles
One of the most remarkable qualities of boho rugs is how easily they blend across stylistic boundaries. While they have traditionally been associated with eclectic and artistic interiors, boho rugs have found a place in every design vocabulary—from Scandinavian minimalism to Southwestern rustic, Japandi simplicity to maximalist color.
This versatility stems from their ability to serve dual functions: as grounding visual anchors and as energizing focal points. For instance, a vintage Turkish rug with muted reds and dusty blues can add soul and color to a contemporary white-walled living room. Meanwhile, a multi-colored shag boho rug can inject playfulness and whimsy into a child’s room without overwhelming the decor.
The adaptability of boho rugs is further enhanced by their diverse shapes—round, runner, square, and oversized. You can center a room around one, place one beside the bed, or layer them under a dining table. Each placement offers a new interpretation, proving that boho rugs don’t dictate style—they respond to it.
Embracing Sustainability and Natural Materials
Modern consumers are increasingly making design choices that reflect their environmental and ethical values. Boho rugs, traditionally handwoven using natural materials like wool, cotton, jute, and hemp, align seamlessly with these values.
Jute, for example, is a fast-growing, biodegradable fiber that brings a rich, earthy texture to any space. Cotton rugs offer breathability and softness, while wool brings warmth, resilience, and natural stain resistance. When you choose a boho rug made with these materials, you’re not only adding visual charm but also supporting a more sustainable lifestyle.
Brands like ours have gone a step further by ensuring ethical sourcing and fair wages for artisans. Some collections are made using recycled fibers or eco-conscious dyeing processes that reduce water usage and chemical waste. These practices make boho rugs a responsible investment, not just in your home’s aesthetic, but in the planet’s future.
In a time when fast furniture and disposable decor dominate, choosing a handmade, eco-friendly rug is a quiet act of resistance—one that honors craftsmanship, quality, and care.
Affordability Without Compromising Quality
Another reason for the continued popularity of boho rugs is their wide-ranging accessibility. Unlike many luxury rugs that demand high price tags, boho rugs are available at multiple price points, without sacrificing style or quality.
This is partly because boho design welcomes vintage, imperfect, and pre-loved aesthetics. A slightly faded overdyed rug or a tasseled kilim with a quirky asymmetry only adds to the charm. This imperfection—often shunned in traditional luxury design—is celebrated in the bohemian worldview, which sees beauty in wear, age, and handcraft.
Affordable options in machine-washable, durable materials have also made it easier for families with children and pets to enjoy boho style without worry. Synthetic blends mimic the look of handwoven textures while offering easy maintenance. Thrifted rugs, upcycled pieces, and flea-market finds are common in boho households—not just because of budget-friendliness, but because they carry stories, quirks, and individuality.
This inclusivity is what makes boho design deeply democratic. Whether you’re furnishing a studio apartment, a countryside retreat, or an urban loft, there’s a boho rug for you.
Functional Benefits for Everyday Living
Boho rugs aren’t just about style—they’re practical performers. Their dense textures help absorb sound, define spaces in open floor plans, and create a sense of warmth underfoot, especially on tile or hardwood floors.
Modern boho rugs also come in washable varieties—ideal for kitchens, entryways, or kid-friendly zones. Flat-weave kilims are perfect for layering in transitional areas, while thick-pile shags offer comfort in bedrooms or reading corners.
For pet owners, boho rugs are a blessing. Their multicolored, distressed patterns cleverly mask fur, paw prints, or the occasional spill, making them both forgiving and enduring. Plus, many synthetic options are stain-resistant and low maintenance, making beauty and durability coexist effortlessly.
Personal Expression and Emotional Resonance
Perhaps the most powerful appeal of boho rugs lies in their emotional value. They invite you to design with intention and imagination. Your rug becomes a symbol of your story—your travels, your tastes, your temperament.
A boho rug in rich sunset hues might remind you of a road trip across the desert. A soft, floral kilim may echo your grandmother’s parlor or your childhood hideout. These are not anonymous furnishings. These are personal signatures—the ink in the diary of your home.
In a world often defined by digital detachment and disposable trends, boho rugs offer tactile, tangible authenticity. They invite you to pause. To breathe. To feel. To reflect.
Design isn’t just about visuals—it’s about how a space makes you feel. And boho rugs, with their soulful weaves and global spirit, have a unique way of making your home feel like a sanctuary that belongs only to you.
A Rug That Becomes a Ritual
A boho rug is more than a floor covering—it is a daily ritual. The first thing your bare feet touch in the morning. The soft layer beneath spontaneous laughter or midnight tears. The place where your child plays, your pet naps, and your body rests. It holds footprints and memories. It absorbs light, color, and stories. It is not just seen—it is lived on. Boho rugs are the silent witnesses to our everyday intimacy. Their fibers entwine history with presence, aesthetics with comfort, and chaos with calm. In a world that changes rapidly, these rugs remain—a woven reminder of beauty, resilience, and the irreplaceable poetry of home.
Conclusion: Boho Rugs as Everyday Art
In every fringe, knot, and faded thread, boho rugs carry the echoes of past artisans and the voice of the present dweller. They’re as grounded in tradition as they are expressive of now. Their ability to remain relevant, accessible, and full of soul makes them one of the most enduring elements in interior design.
Whether you’re creating a maximalist explosion of color or a minimal space with subtle textures, the right boho rug can make your space feel not just styled, but lived in, loved, and entirely yours.
So go ahead. Let your rug be the starting point of your design story. Choose the one that speaks to you—not just for how it looks, but for how it makes you feel. Because in the world of boho, beauty begins underfoot and rises upward—to the heart.
Conclusion: The Boho Rug’s Quiet Evolution
From 19th-century ateliers to 21st-century city apartments, the boho rug has matured without losing its essence. Its threads are woven with both memory and innovation—bridging eras, continents, and design philosophies with effortless grace.
In this modern age of blended aesthetics, the boho rug’s greatest achievement may be its quiet adaptability. It plays well with others, stands strong on its own, and never asks you to choose between authenticity and style. With its sustainable soul, handcrafted beauty, and boundless charm, it continues to be one of the most compelling and expressive pieces you can place in your home. Whether it anchors your living room or brightens your balcony, the boho rug remains a faithful ally in your design story—a soft, rich reminder that the best homes are the ones that tell our own.