We’ve shared a few behind-the-scenes posts about side gigs we’ve taken on, including how our lighting collection came together, and our experiences writing a book. This time we want to share the story of a side project that didn’t work out, despite months of effort. We try to be open about the good, the bad, and the ugly, and this one certainly falls into the “ugly-but-informative” category.
A well-regarded company that produces wool and cotton rugs approached us about creating a Young House Love rug collection. The timing felt right: we were already working on a lighting collection, so expanding into affordable, well-designed rugs seemed like a natural next step. Part of what attracted us to the lighting collaboration was the company’s commitment to accessibility—designs priced with budget-conscious buyers in mind. That alignment made us hopeful we could do the same with rugs: create beautiful, natural-fiber options that real people could afford.
Over several months we collaborated closely with the rug company’s designers and manufacturers. There were countless emails, phone calls, and samples shipped back and forth as we turned sketches and ideas into renderings and then into physical samples. We were excited by the possibilities: flatweave cotton rugs and wool blends in balanced patterns and palettes that felt fresh but still lived-in. We were tweaking colors, refining scales, and testing materials—putting in the kind of detail work we’d expect for any product we’d proudly put in our own home.
But a persistent challenge emerged during development: price. We’ve always been budget-minded shoppers—often more likely to hunt a deal than to pay full price—so the idea of asking our readers and followers to pay amounts we wouldn’t ourselves was uncomfortable. As sample costs came in, the final price points were significantly higher than we expected. That mismatch created a real dilemma.
We spent weeks discussing options and exploring whether cost reductions could be made without sacrificing quality. Ultimately, neither party wanted to compromise on craftsmanship or materials. Lowering price by changing construction or fibers would have undercut everything we were trying to achieve. After careful consideration and a couple of difficult conversations, we concluded the partnership wasn’t the right fit for us.
Walking away wasn’t an easy decision. We had invested a lot of creative energy and time into the designs. Still, we felt it would be disingenuous to put our name on a product that didn’t match our standards or that we wouldn’t recommend to our own readers at the proposed price. For us, brand trust and authenticity matter more than a quick win or a paycheck.
On the bright side, the company retained the ability to move forward with production at the price points they preferred, so the design work we contributed wasn’t wasted. Whether those rugs are on the market now or will arrive later, the collaboration produced valuable outcomes for both sides. And for us it was instructive: we walked away with a clearer sense of priorities to set at the start of any future collaboration—specifically, hard agreements about quality and price early in the process.
This experience reinforced a couple of lessons we’ve learned over the years of blogging and running projects. First, working for yourself demands commitment and hustle—the more you invest, the more you can potentially earn. Second, and perhaps more important, is learning to trust your instincts. If a project feels off, it’s better to bow out gracefully than to attach your name to something that doesn’t feel right. That principle helps protect the integrity of our brand and ensures we can continue recommending products with confidence.
So that’s the tale of a side gig that never saw the light of day. We gained design experience, clarified our priorities, and preserved our credibility. Have you ever invested time in a project that ultimately didn’t align with your goals or values? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?