Flokati rugs have a rich history. Long before it became the area rug we know today, they were essential piece of clothing for travelers, warriors and shepherds in ancient Greece during long winter seasons. From protection from the cold, they became an indoor home accessory. A Flokati was a sought-after present for men often given as part of a woman’s dowry for marriage. Its popularity has been carried on for years, until today.
Greece still boasts of producing the most Flokati rugs worldwide. Some have been made the old-fashioned way – through water ripening technique used in ancient times when the rug makers toiled hard to present courageous men the perfect gift and women the best floor covering for their homes. This technique consists of washing it in fast flowing water. The image reminds me of our washing machines of today without the circular motion and the whirring sound. The wool then comes out soft and durable. They are generally produced by the meticulous work of the hand in knotting the wool through a thick backing material or woven wool.
With the developments in their production, Flokati rugs have gone beyond the earth colors and widened the color’s selection. The styles also vary from short and thick knots to the long and unruly look.
In addition to their beauty, they also meet practical requirements. Because of the materials, a Flokati rug can absorb its own weight in moisture five times more than an ordinary one. Therefore, humid rooms will be “blow dried” and dry rooms will be “sprayed with water”. It has a cooling and warming effect great for any season.
An absolute advantage of a Flokati is therefore its fine materials and fabric. Aside from its moisture locking and releasing capabilities, a Flokati rug is also resistant to conduct or store static, making it safe to be placed near electrical objects.
That being said, all that’s left to do is to go out and buy one! Remember, their traditional colors are earth tones – these include white, browns, etc.; all the colors that make ideal design basics. Just take care when trying to use this rug as a focal point as the authentic Flokati rugs seldom have any type of elaborate design on them (and will therefore make the perfect accessory to a different focal point). Other than that, the sky’s the limit, with more and more colors added every day for different lengths of knots.
Decorating with rugs just got even simpler with these authentic Greek flokati area rugs.
