Flokati Rugs: A Lifetime Investment

Author: Colin Chadwick

Flokati rugs are hand-woven in Greece, as they have been for centuries, using the finest 100 percent New Zealand wool. During ancient times, shepherds used Flokati rugs for clothing, as an extra layer of warmth. They were also used as bedding for tents and were known for keeping shepherds warm on long, cold nights of winter.




The Vlachs, who lived in the 5th Century, are credited with invented the Flokati rug. They were shepherds who herded sheep and goats in the high Pindos Mountains, in the village of Samarina. They sold milk and cheese, derived from the animals they shepherded, during the summer months. The women of the village had access to an abundant amount of wonderful wool and would weave rugs that they would sell during the winter months to earn a living. These products were sold in the valleys and plains of Macedonia, Thesally, Trikala, and into the deep recesses of Odessa.



The Flokati rugs have a sensuous look about them. One look, one touch, and you're hooked. They are glorious, romantic, and exotic. The rugs have a history dating back to the 5th Century and were used by shepherds for warmth - how can they not prove irresistible to touch and feel? Just looking at a Flokati rug makes you want to run your fingers through its lushness. You want to lay on it on winter nights in front of glowing embers in a fireplace.



Each Flokati rug you purchase is a lifetime investment. The best part is that while these rugs are elegant, they are also durable and sturdy. With proper care and cleaning, they can easily last for generations. They can actually be cleaned rather easily, with very mild wool soap on the gentle cycle of your washing machine. Light, gentle raking, with a plastic or wooden garden rake, can also do wonders to fluff up the fibres. Don't vacuum as you would another type of rug; use only the suction head of the vacuum - no rotating motions are recommended as they could pull some of the fibres loose. A good shaking will be wonders to clean your rug of normal dust and small loose particles.



Flokati rugs can be purchased in different colours; however, its natural shade is off-white, of course. They also come in various sizes so as to suit any place in your abode that you can envision the wonderment of such a rug. They are also available in different weights of wool, which you will want to choose depending on your potential use for the rug and your preference of style.



When you are searching to make your lifetime investment in a Flotaki rug, take your time and make sure it is composed of 100 percent natural wool from New Zealand. Don't accept anything less; don't accept a substitute made of synthetic materials. There certainly is nothing like a genuine Flokati rug.

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Your Flokati rug is designed to be sturdy and reliable, while still looking elegant and chic. When you decide to purchase one of these glorious rugs for your home, you will have the opportunity to place it where all who enter your home can admire it. And admire it they will as it will prove to be an exquisite enrichment to your furnishings.

About the Author:
Colin Chadwick is the marketing manager of Rug House a leading supplier of superior quality Flokati Rugs. Flokati (Greek Wool) Rugs are a natural 100% wool product. Light and fluffy and versatile. Flokati Rugs are superb as a floor covering, bedspread or throw, you could even hang them on your walls.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Flokati Rugs: A Lifetime Investment

Tips for Keeping Your Carpets Clean

Have you wondered why one person’s carpet stays clean with three kids and numerous pets and another’s looks like a battleground of grime, Kool-aid, and odors? It might be because one of these people understands that to keep your carpets clean and fresh, you have to act before the accidents.

Have you wondered why one person’s carpet stays clean with three kids and numerous pets and another’s looks like a battleground of grime, Kool-aid, and odors? It might be because one of these people understands that to keep your carpets clean and fresh, you have to act before the accidents. There are a number of preventative measures for keeping your carpets clean, even if you have four kids, two dogs, and a cat.


No Shoes






This one rule can make all the difference in the livelihood of your carpet. Too often, we start with good intentions-we will ensure the no shoes rule all the time. But laziness tends to set in, and before you know it, everyone is traipsing on your nice clean carpet with their nice, grimy shoes. It’s simple—enforce the no shoes rule at all times and your carpet will remain permanently cleaner.




Avoid Food






Another common sense rule, but nevertheless important, is a no-food-on-the-carpet rule. Understandably, this rule is harder to enforce if you have kids, but do your best. Food and liquids, in addition to pets, are your carpet’s worst nightmare.






Vacuum






Vacuum at least once a week, but preferably more. This keeps dirt and dust from building up, and has the added advantage of keeping dust allergies at bay. Remember to vacuum beneath your furniture as well.




Steam Clean






Steam cleaning your carpets is great way to ensure their longetivity. Hire professionals or rent a steam cleaner every four to six months, depending on the state of your carpet. Shop around if you’re worried about price, because price ranges can differ dramatically for the same service.






Remove Stains Immediately






Clean up stains immediately; the longer you let them sit, the longer they have to soak in. Blot at the stain with a mild soap like dish detergent (Dawn and Joy are great), but never scrub. Scrubbing a stain can cause it to spread and wear the fibers of your carpet. Besides mild detergents, vinegar and club soda also work well. Failing these methods or for darker stains like juice, pet accidents or wine, sprinkle salt or baking soda over the stain, let the stain soak in, and vacuum it up. Never use heat to dry a stain; it seals the stain into your carpet.




Keeping your carpet clean is the easiest way to ensure its longetivity and beauty. It is relatively simple and just a matter of reminding yourself to be faithful to your carpet. Treat it well, and it should last you many years (and guests!) to come.

A Brief History of Rugs and Carpets

Rugs and carpets have a rich history, only part of which is known. Ancient rugs are very rare because the earliest rugs were made of organic fibers. Organic fibers disintegrate speedily over time, thus preservation over thousands of years is extremely rare. What we do know is that the art of weaving is very old and dates back thousands of years.

Rugs and carpets have a rich history, only part of which is known. Ancient rugs are very rare because the earliest rugs were made of organic fibers. Organic fibers disintegrate speedily over time, thus preservation over thousands of years is extremely rare. What we do know is that the art of weaving is very old and dates back thousands of years.

Weaving began with rough, simple mats and baskets made of grasses, reeds, leaves, and other natural materials. The first true ‘rugs’ were probably rough cured skins used as floor coverings in the homes of early hunters. With tough, flexible backing and generally soft material (called ‘pile’), these rugs served to keep the home more warm and insulated.




There is evidence for weaving and the existence of rugs in ancient Mesopotamia and Turkey as far back as 7000 and 8000 B.C.E., and in Egypt (wool and cotton) as early as the third millennium B.C.E. Mongolia and China were also main players in the textile industry, and nomadic herders and Chinese weavers were among the first to develop and weave wool rugs.




Weaving developed in many other parts of the world in addition to Europe, including parts of the Americas as far back as 5500 B.C.E. Weavers began to use natural colors and gradually transitioned to using vegetable, flower, and insect materials.




Silk development in China, the ornate, intricate embroidery and designs of Turkey and Mongolia, and the development of more sophisticated looms and weaving techniques throughout the world lifted rug-making from necessity to art form.




Italian merchants first brought oriental rugs to Europe, where they were used as wall hangings and coverings. By 1600, France had developed a dominant weaver’s guild, and England wasn’t far behind. The 1700’s marked England’s emergence into the weaving industry, and by about 1830, a good portion of the wool produced in England was used for carpets.




Various machines were created to aid the process of weaving, and looms have become so sophisticated today that they run off of computer algorithms. Rugs were not widely available in the US and Europe until the onset of mass production and the invention of industrial grade machines.




The first steam-powered loom appeared in 1787, and by 1876, the invention of the Axminster loom, a machine that permitted unlimited use of color and design, boosted the production of carpets. The advent of synthetic fibers and tufted carpet (carpet manufactured by the insertion of tufts of yarn through a carpet-backing fabric) made mass production and purchase of carpets easier, faster, and less expensive.

Zanjan rugs

Zanjan rugs, woven in northwestern Iran by nomadic people, typically feature a geometric shape in the center that expands from the top to the bottom.
Zanjan, located in northwestern Iran quite close to Tehran, literally means "dear wife" or "dear woman" in Farsi. The magnificent tribal area rugs in Zanjan are all hand woven by nomadic tribes. Although Zanjan has a strong Turkish influence, the natives are all Kurdish. Living a peaceful and harmonious life with nature, the nomadic weavers live in a part of the world that is untouched by modern conveniences and technology. Both men and women partake in the art of weaving tribal area rugs both for their personal use and for commercial purposes. Weaving often represents the only source of income for the family. Crude, homemade looms are very compact in size so that they may be easily transported when the tribe migrates to its next location. It is for this reason that most Zanjan area rugs are small in size. Their looms are just not able to accommodate the larger sizes. Zanjan area rugs are single wefted in the center. The local artisans weave their tribal area rugs using both the Persian asymmetrical knot and the Turkish symmetrical knot.
Area rugs woven in Zanjan bear a striking resemblance to those from Bijar, although Zanjan area rugs generally have larger patterns. Typically the geometric shape in the center of Zanjan area rugs expands from the top to the bottom. These area rugs are usually very bright and vibrant with the motif in a darker color woven into a lighter colored background in order to show it off to its best advantage. Dark red, brown, and light blue traditionally make up the color palette.
The foundations on Zanjan area rugs are mostly cotton, while the pile is very good quality wool, making them extremely durable and destined to last for centuries. The bold and vibrant nature of Zanjan area rugs will add a touch of the exotic to your environment.

Yazd rugs

Yazd rugs, hand woven in central Iran mid way between Kerman and Kashan, typically feature a single floral medallion in the center of the field.
Yazd is an ancient city in central Iran situated mid way between Kerman and Kashan. Famous as the home of the Zoroastrian faith, it is also the location where the first area rug for the Safavid Dynasty was made. An area rug from Yazd bears certain similarities to those produced in Kerman and Kashan. Considering the close proximity of the three cities, it is quite natural that they should produce similar designs using similar techniques. The major difference lies not in design, but in yarn and quality. Although very similar to Kermans in design, a Yazd area rug is woven with thicker yarn giving it a lower knot count, but producing a sturdier area rug. A Yazd area rug is more flexible and woven with finer warps and wefts than one from Kashmar. Local artisans in Yazd weave an area rug of exceptionally high quality using the asymmetrical Persian knot.
An area rug woven in Yazd will typically feature a single floral medallion in the center. It would be highly unusual to find one with small medallions scattered throughout the field. The color palette of a Yazd area rug may vary greatly depending on whether it is destined for the export market or the domestic market. Pastel shades are generally seen on an area rug woven for export, while the domestic market has a decided preference for very bold colors. Frequently an area rug from Yazd can be recognized by a red background and brown border. However, pink is sometimes used to create an abstract background. Blue is rarely seen on a Yazd area rug.
The foundation on a Yazd area rug is cotton, while the pile is thick and lush wool. Although available in a wide range of sizes, an area rug from Yazd is most commonly mid-size. As strong and durable as it is beautiful, a Yazd area rug is an excellent choice for high traffic areas.

Wiss rugs

Wiss rugs are easily recognized by a very unique center medallion, which is a rounded seven sided geometric shape with jewel-like shapes at either end.
Wiss, also referred to as Viss, is a small town located near Hamadan. However, for a small town, Wiss has an eclectic mix of population. Kurds, Turks, and the nomadic people of Bakhtiari all call Wiss home, and it is the influence from these diverse groups that is an integral part of the weaving of wool rugs here. Due to its largely nomadic population, the majority of Wiss wool rugs feature geometric designs, which is an indication of a tribal rug. Its location so close to Hamadan has influenced the local weavers to create their wool rugs using the Hamadan weave, also referred to as the Sennah Baft. These wool rugs are woven with a Turkish symmetrical knot and a single shot of weft between the rows of knots.
The single most defining characteristic of Wiss wool rugs is a very unique center medallion, which is a rounded seven sided geometric shape that always has pair of jewel-like shapes at either end. In order to showcase this unusual design, Wiss wool rugs most frequently have a red background and a large and intricate border. Other design elements in Wiss wool rugs including the famous Herati motif, small animal figures, and a garden design are all variations of designs that are commonplace in the neighboring villages. The dominant colors used in Wiss wool rugs are dark red, khaki, light blue, dark blue, and ivory. All of the dyes are created from the local vegetation.
The foundations on Wiss wool rugs are cotton, although silk may be found on a very rare, old rug. The wool used to weave the pile is extremely thick and durable, giving these rugs the probability of lasting for centuries. The majority of Wiss wool rugs are mid-size due to the compact looms. These boldly designed and dramatically shaded wool rugs will give any room in your home a look of polished elegance.

Veramin rugs

Veramin rugs and rug runners, hand woven in southeastern Iran, are easily recognized by their use of the famous Mina-Khani design in brilliant colors.
Veramin, located in southeastern Iran, is considered to be an important center for the weaving of rugs and rug runners. Situated in a highly fertile plain, Veramin is home to Kurds, Lurs, Arabs, Ghashghais, and Turkomans. Due to its very diverse population, Veramin rugs and rug runners are hand woven in all three settings - workshop, village, and nomadic. The nomads weave both pile and flat weaves for their rugs and rug runners. Whether the nomads use the symmetrical Turkish knot or asymmetrical Persian knot for their pile weaving depends upon their ethnicity. The village and workshop weavers mainly use the asymmetrical Persian knot for their rugs and rug runners.
The defining pattern of Veramin rugs and rug runners is the famous Mina-Khani design in which the field is covered with daisies connected together with lines that form diamonds or circles in an all-over layout. Typically the background color of the Mina-Khani design is blue, while the motifs are usually woven in white, yellow, orange, bright red, and blue. It is also quite common to see an all-over design combining Herati motifs in between Shah Abbas motifs on Veramin rugs and rug runners. The Herati motif is an old Mongol (Turkish) pattern featuring fish and turtles.
The Shah Abbas motif features abstract floral designs combined with Arabesque designs that make up the main pattern and the margin of the rugs and rug runners. The background is typically a blue black color, while the motifs in Veramin rugs and rug runners are woven in shades of red, green, and blue with white providing the contrast.
The warps and wefts on Veramin rugs and rug runners are mostly cotton, while the pile is wool. Renowned for their excellent quality and brilliance, the fabulous colors and splendid designs of Veramin rugs and rug runners will create a vibrant ambience in your home while providing an elegant finishing touch.