Flokati Rugs Enduring Asset

Burgundy New Flokati Rug

A flokati rug is a wool shag rug. These rugs are hand woven, and are used in many configurations in home decor. When shag rugs became popular and prominent during 70s, flokati rugs were introduced and quickly rose in popularity. Flokati has continued to maintain stylish popularity, especially for those seeing elegant and luxurious comfort in a contemporary fashionable home décor item.

Flokati rugs have been traditionally used in Greece for 1500 years. These were used as clothing, beds in tents, and for keeping warm in winter. These rugs were made by Vlach shepherds from hand raised sheep and the women wove the wool into handwoven rugs. The unique flokati appearance developed from the Vlach sheep farmer’s habit of washing sheepskin in Pindos mountain river water. Traditionally it was placed under a water fall. This quality of water resistance helps it to tighten, until the stack becomes fluffy. This is called the “birthing” of a flokati. This is what gives the flokati its enduring unique qualities.

This rug is made of raw wool which is spun into the loops and the mass is cut by hand. Then it is washed in mountain water and pitched to get the softness and fluffiness and then sun dried. The waterfall wash is the secret behind the perfect flokati rug. There are many manufacturers of flokati rugs available. Originally, flokati was only made from Greek Wool, but today because of the worldwide demand much of it is made from New Zealand Wool.

The quality of the flokati rug is measured by the weight. Flokati rugs are measured by weight in grams per square meter of wool. They are available in weights from 1.3 kilo all the way up to 6.0 kilo and the pile height varies of course with the weight. A 3.0 kilo flokati rug is about three inches in pile height, a 6.0 kilo flokati is about five inches in pile height. These are appropriate for different uses in one’s home décor.

There are two types of flokati rugs, traditional and Modern rugs. The weight of a traditional flokati rug varies from 2.0 kilo to 6.0 kilo and the weight of modern rugs varies from 1.5 kilo to 3.0 kilo. Flokati rugs are available in many colors like off-white, winter white and all designer colors. They are also available in various sizes and shapes to suit the area of a house. At Hollywood Love Rugs we specialize in custom orders of traditional Flokati Rugs and have provided custom flokati for many clients in many exotic configurations and colors, including a 4.0 kilo 14 foot round flokati for use under a grand piano.

The flokati rug is known for it’s amazing durability and a quality flokati can last with moderate traffic for as much as 25 years if properly cared for. It is naturally soil and stain resistant, and they are all washable. Small rugs can be machine washed in cold water with a specialized wool cleaner and gentle cycle and air dried. Large flokati rugs can be professionally washed and air dried.