Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Flokati Give Away!


I'm giving away this 8 ft. round wool flokati rug that I used in my Showhouse space this past spring.  Premium quality, Greek, 3000 grams/m2, my cost was $765.00. Color: Natural.  Shipping is free in the lower 48 states.

Flokati rugs have an interesting history, dating back to the 5th century AD.  Originally from a village in Greece, where shepherds wove the wool from their sheep for blankets to keep them warm.  The story goes that one day, the shepherds left a blanket in the waters of a stream and when they went back to get it, they found the backing had felted together and the wool had unraveled to create the pile.  Word spread across Greece and the Flokati became a popular product, used in all kinds of ways.

Flokati rugs gained popularity in America in the 70's when shag rugs and carpets were in style.  Now it has become popular again, bringing a luxurious, retro feel to modern interiors.  To get more information on flokati rugs, see flokati.com.

It was so funny to see the reaction to the flokati in my Showhouse room.  Some people had no idea what it was and then there were people who commented that their mother or grandmother or aunt had one years ago.  One middle aged man commented that he took his mom's flokati to college with him for his dorm room/bachelor pad.  He said that rug saw some great times!  



Flokati rugs come in varying pile heights or weights.  You may find an 8 ft. rd. flokati at a much cheaper price, but if you look at the weight, you will see the difference.  There are also a lot of imitation wool rugs out there too, but a real flokati is 100% wool.  It does not have a stiff backing, they are actually quite lightweight, and fold up like a bath mat. 

Here's an example of the pile height/weight difference in quality levels.

 1400

 2000

 3000 - (This rug is 3000!)

4000

You can't vaccuum them, you just shake them out. For a deeper cleaning, wash them in the tub and then hang to dry. You can even comb them with a dog brush to separate the fibers and fluff them up. More details on cleaning a flokati can be found here.



To Enter,

FOLLOW this blog publicly with Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs

LEAVE A COMMENT that you are a follower.

LIKE Aston Design Studio on FB to get another entry and LEAVE A COMMENT that you have done so.

Drawing will be done on  Friday 7/15/11 at noon, central time.

I'm looking forward to meeting some new followers and having this luxurious rug go to a happy home!


53 comments:

wendi poole said...

I love the blog and I liked you on FB. I loved your room design in Sienna and the rug!

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Hi Carla; What a very generous giveaway. This will once again date me but I love a Flokati rug. I actually purchased one on ebay when we lived in Seattle and ended up selling it when we moved to TX. I don't know how I missed your post on your showcase room but I love each and every detail down to the lucite knobs on your grandmother's 50's dresser. How you re-purposed items & mixed the new, with the end result being that gorgeous, is just the kind of design, that in my book, constitutes great design skill. You chose one of my favorite light fixtures and the Flokati is like the frosting on the perfect cupcake. Oh..I am a follower!! Hope your 4th was a good one, very quite here in Katy.
All my best,
Deb

Anonymous said...

Hi Carla,
what a wonderful giveaway...I'm very excited to be part of it..I'm now a follower and of course I "like" you..oh, on FB too.. :)
loved your showhouse designs as well..fun teen girls room..
best,
maureen

Dumbwit Tellher said...

I have been following Aston Design Studio on FB for awhile now. : )

Fits and Kisses said...

Ok...I'm publicly a follower. Loved the showcase house...thanks for hosting the giveaway

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Oh Oh Oh....I NEED a flokati JUST that size. Hopefully points will not be taken away because I have often called them flo-TAK-i. I stowed one away in my luggage when I was in school in Paris....It has long passed. :(

What a generous give away! LOVED the work you did in the show house!

Jessie said...

What a lovely giveaway! I am a new follower on GFC.

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Jessie said...

I liked Aston Design Studio on FB!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Splendid Sass said...

Great giveaway, Carla. Love this rug!
I am a follower!
Teresa
xoxo

Splendid Sass said...

Liked you on fb.
Teresa
xoxo

Jennifer said...

Following Blog & liked on Facebook. I love the dresser in the room too!

katieo said...

I just became a follower. What a gorgeous rug, I've always wanted one like that.

faithful love said...

Lovely work! Amazing how design has changed over the years...but the basic elements are still the foundation of extraordinary interiors...glad I stumbled across your blog..can't wait to see the finished project you are on...

Kathysue said...

I thought I was a follower already and I just found out that I am not!! Shame on me, sorry. I follow you here and on liked you on facebook!! Also on networked blogs!! I think I have got you covered!!! This is an extremely generous giveaway!! Kathysue

anyaadores said...

Hi Carla - what a generous and amazing giveaway. I would love to enter - and follow you on gFC now. Fingers crossed for everybody, but mostly me ;O)
A xx

Nan said...

Amazing giveaway! I'm following you with Google Friend Connect.

-Nan

The Simple Stencil - Jennifer Jeffers said...

I liked you on facebook and am now following your blog... Love love love the rug... it would be fabulous in my family room area off the lake (also in the woods :)

Thanks for offering this to a lucky winner!

Proud Mom said...

Joined you on facebook and following your blog. What an amazing giveaway...thanks for offering such a beautiful item...!!!

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

What a fabulous giveaway Carla!!!I'm off to make sure that I have liked you on facebook. Not sure if I have yet or not. Hugs to you. Mona

designchic said...

What a fabulous giveaway, and I have just the spot...the babies room(due in Sept) - it would be perfect!! Love your blog and all of your wonderful inspiration!!

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

Well, Kathy and I should be ashamed! I thought I was a follower too! I am now! Love the Flokati. It's been popular for so long....what a classic!

Sally@DivineDistractionsw said...

Oh, and I already "like" you on FB. What a great way to stay in touch!

Kellie Collis said...

How fabulous! I'm loving every piece in that room! Enjoy the beautiful day, Kellie xxx

Karena said...

Hi Carla,

I love , love this flotaki, it is of such quality and lushness! Of course I would be thrilled to win!

Fingers are crosses. I follow you of course!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Karena said...

Oh and I follow on Twitter!!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Karena said...

Oops, Facebook Follower!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Marlane said...

Hi Carla, I am a brand new blogger, thanks to Mona for getting me involved thru her's with the OUTSIDE shower!!!
My imagination is running away with me regarding the,
(new to me) Flokati !! It could be a great way to keep those feet warm in the winter on a bathroom floor, and I can see pets loving it to cuddle down in for a long nap!
Thanks so much for the interesting educational history lesson, and the giveaway opportunity!!
Looking forward to learning more!
Marlanep

Scribbler said...

I am now following you both on Google and also on Networked Blogs.

It's always nice to see you on FB, too. I have always loved these rugs -- this is a very generous giveaway.

The enchanted home said...

Awesome giveaway! So interesting on its history..who knew! Thanks for the opportunity....fingers crossed!

Rosie Goins said...

Love your rug. I am now a follower and also liked you on FB.

quintessence said...

What a fabulous giveaway. In the danger of dating myself, I of course remember flokati rugs!! I have just the spot for this lovely fluff!!

DecRenew Interiors said...

I already have a place for this rug! Hope I win!
Ruthie

DecRenew Interiors said...

I'm now a follower!

Kate said...

Saw your comment on Jenn of HWTM's interview on HGTV's Design Happens Blog, and I'm excited to have found you...and to enter to win the rug! I've always wanted a Flokati rug, and it would be perfect in the new living room I'm planning, wherever we're moving to (in the next 2 months, just need to find the place)! I'm now following you on Google Friend Connect.

Kate said...

Oh, and I'm following you on Facebook, too!

chedeb5353 said...

Love the Flokati!!! I follow on GFC chedeb5353@hotmail.com

chedeb5353 said...

Liked you on Facebook. Love your blog! chedeb5353@hotmail.com

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

...Oh...and I liked you on FB!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Such an awesome giveaway! Growing up, my super stylish aunt had one of these in her living room...she was so cool. I would love this in my master bedroom. So luxurious.

Dream House Trish said...

Hi Im a new follower, just stumbled across your blog & I love your style. Not sure I can enter your give away as I am in Australia, but I wanted to say Hi any way!!
Cheers

under spanish moss said...

Love the showhouse room, Carla. I used a small rug like this in my son's room. Hope you have a great weekend!

Lillian P. said...

I am a follower on Google Friend Connect. I love flokati rugs. I especially like the pile and the shape our yours. It is definitely more luxurious than the ones my parents had! I would love to own my own. Thank you for the opportunity!

Lillian P. said...

I like Aston Design Studio on facebook!

Cindy said...

I follow you via GFC. Thank you so much for offering such a lovely and generous gift. :)

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

I "liked" you on Facebook (Cindy A.)

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I did say I liked you on FB?..
wasn't sure if we comment twice to indicate so..never sure how these drawings are done..
maureen

Paula said...

What an amazing giveaway! I am a follower on GFC.

Paula said...

Following Aston Design Studio on FB.

NancyO. said...

A new follower. Great give away!

NancyO. said...

Also 'liked' Aston Design Studio on FB. Thanks!

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

Ooo la la! Fabulous rug! You could lose the pet hamster in there for days! I liked you on FB too and just signed up for your blog!
Cheers,
Barbara
The Treasured Home

Linda @ theLENNOXX said...

What an amazing giveaway! I'm definitely in!

xox Linda

Rilane said...

This flokati rug with photo looks great :)

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