Flokati rugs an enduring asset:

A flokati rug is a wool 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 traditional 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.

Flokati Q and A

Here at Hollywood Love Rugs, we feature such a great variety of elegant and exotic area rugs that we have prepared this Q and A for our customers which contain answers for some commonly asked questions regarding the qualities, similarities and differences in flokati rugs, sheepskin rugs, tibetan lambs wool, cowhides, faux fur and other products.

Q: What is Flokati?

A: Flokati is a unique wool shag rug made exclusively in Greece. It is a traditional product and has been made for over 1500 years. It is hand woven, and immersed in water until the yarn swells and creates the unique flokati shag effect. It is then sun dried.

Q: What is the difference between the flokati and a sheepskin rug?

A: Flokati is made from wool yarn, a sheepskin rug is an actual pelt or skin/hide from a sheep. Please note that all rugs made from animals on our store are after-market products. No animals are killed to make rugs. Flokati is cushiony, but sheepskin is a fur and much softer to the feel.

Q: What about other Greek wool shag rugs?

A: Our other wool shag rugs are made in a similar fashion to traditional flokati. Machine tufted wool shag rugs are still immersed in water to produce the swollen flokati shag effect, but they are made on a machine run loom, and are tufted. This gives a slightly different surface appearance and since they are not hand made they are the most economical. Our modern weave is hand made and made in the traditional way except that it has a poly fiber yarn backing for superior stain resistance, durability and a tighter weave which make it less prone to allow soiling to pass through to the floor.

Q: What about Tibetan Lamb and other wool shag rugs?

A: Tibetan Lamb, is another animal skin rug. It is even softer than sheepskin and very silky. Our other wool shag rugs are made in a similar fashion to traditional flokati. Machine tufted wool shag rugs are still immersed in water to produce the swollen flokati shag effect, but they are made on a machine run loom. Our modern weave is hand made and made in the traditional way except that it has a poly fiber yarn backing for superior stain resistance and durability consistent with our customer's modern active lifestyle.

Q: The color description says it is "off-white" but the photograph looks pure white. How do I tell what the color is?

A: We describe the color absolutely with care to be as accurate as possible as to the actual color of the material. However, lighting and texture has a big influence on how that color is perceived by the viewer. We cannot of course account for differences in your computers graphics display and monitor settings, so it is important to consider the written description of the color as being accurate.

Please note that all our photographs are taken in daylight balanced conditions. In those same conditions, the item should have the same appearance in your home. However, afternoon sunlight is reddish, incandescent lights are reddish, flourescent lights are greenish. This will have an effect on the appearance of any rug. Shag material is soft, and not reflective. Light also casts shadows on shag material in a random way. So this is very important to consider when making your choice. Soft goods and shag materials are very light sensitive.

Q: I want something soft but I don't want an animal product in my home, especially a real hide.

A: We recommend our extensive line of faux fur rugs, which are entirely synthetic, hypoallergenic, machine washable and whle they are extremely soft and luxurious contain no animal products whatsoever.

Q: Where do your cowhides come from, and how do I know if what I'm buying is good quality?

A: All our hides are chromium tanned from Brazil. These are recognized the world over as being the best cowhides available. These are soft, pliable, do not shed and will last a lifetime with proper care. There are a lot of hides on the market from other areas, including Mexico. Please remember that the quality of the tanning is not apparent when the hide is new, but it will have a profound effect on it's longevity and appearance over time.

Q: I want a special custom rug. What can I look at for that purpose?

A: We offer custom Flokati in all weights, colors and any size. We also can make custom sheepskin rugs and Tibetan Lamb's wool rugs. In addition, we have Area Rug Collections which feature Runners which can be ordered by custom length.

Q: What is the difference in these 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 kilo flokati rugs? What does this mean?

A: Flokati rugs are typically marketed by indicated the weight in wool per square meter. In practical terms, it simply means more or less material in the same area. This influences the thickness of the rug, and also the density of the pile. A 4.0 kilo flokati has twice as much material as a 2.0 kilo flokati, so it is thicker, the yarn is thicker, and it is denser with the pile tending to be more upright.

Q: How do I decide what weight to choose?

A: Budget is the first consideration. If budget is not a consideration, then look and use vary between these weights. A 4.0 kilo rug is very ostentatious and will generally be a decor item on in it's own right. It's a bit high to put much furniture on, and will not fit under a door if it has to be opened over the rug. A 2.0 kilo rug is still very nice, but it is more practical to put furniture over and generally a door will open over it.

Q: What about color in Flokati? What do you recommend?

A: Please remember that a high quality flokati rug can last 25 years or more with moderate traffic. It will most likely outlast your decor several times over, so be sure the color is something you will be happy with for a very long time. We always recommend the natural white as it is very neutral and goes with anything, unless there is a real pressing need for a particular color.

Q: I want to try and match the color of my rug with my couch? Can you send samples?

A: We do have samples of flokati and depending on availability of other materials as well. However, please note that flokati is a soft good. The nature of the shag is that light and shadow play unevenly across the surface. Even if it is exactly the same dye standard color as your couch, it will not look the same. It is not reflective, and is very light sensitive. We never recommend trying to match colors.