The Force Behind Ashley Stark Home
ashley stark kenner is the Creative Director of STARK, the brains behind the influential @ashleytstark Instagram account—which has more than 1.4 million followers—and the stylish namesake behind Ashley Stark Home. At an early age, she fell in love with the legendary carpet and textile company founded by her grandparents, which led to a life that immersed her in design, honed her eye, sharpened her sense of quality, and developed her inimitable style.
Ashley grew up knowing she wanted to be a part of the company, and that drove her desire to learn every aspect of the business from the bottom up. She has worked directly with artisans in Nepal as they sat on long looms hand-knotting rugs, adjusted color combinations in person at factories in India, and checked for quality as rugs dried on rooftops in the Nepalese sunshine. Ashley intimately understands every step that goes into making an heirloom rug, one with both the looks and quality to last for generations.
Raised in New York City, Ashley has always felt that design is in her blood—and Ashley Stark Home is the natural evolution of her unique experience and her family’s venerable heritage brand. “In 2022, Chad, my cousin and STARK CEO, and I co-founded Ashley Stark Home as a new destination for rugs, wallcoverings, tabletops, lighting, décor, and design collaborations,” shared Ashley. “I had been approached by various other brands to do different lines and finally, we decided we would do it ourselves.”
Ashley Stark
As a third-generation owner and the Creative Director behind STARK Carpet, the company Ashley’s grandparents founded in 1938, design, and specifically rugs, has always been a part of her life. “They’re the driving force behind my creative vision, shaping a point of view where old meets new, modern meets traditional, and the expected meets the unexpected,” said Ashley. Rugs are at the heart of the Ashley Stark Home collection, leaning into the heritage and decades of expertise from STARK and reimagining the designs through Ashley’s lens.
Aside from the rugs she designs herself, Ashley selects every item on Ashley Stark Home. “The florals, lighting, tabletop, and pillows are all items I have in my own home,” said Ashley. “Ashley Stark Home is an extension of me and everything I like. There’s something really special about taking my inspiration and making it a tangible item others can have in their homes.”
Ashley’s latest collection, Naturally Timeless, is where craftsmanship meets creativity. “Each rug and piece in this collection is a unique work of art, designed to bring warmth and sophistication to any space,” Ashley shared. “This time of year, I lean into the cozy season by incorporating lots of layers through rugs, texture, and color. Subtle variations of creams and grays bring in an effortless sense of character and calm.” The latest collection features over 20 new rugs and multiple colorways to effortlessly redefine your space with a showstopping, statement-making style that doubles as a work of art. Shop the collection on ashleystarkhome.com.
Interior by Ashley Stark Home.