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:

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

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  2. 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

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  3. 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

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

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

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  6. 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!

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

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  8. I liked Aston Design Studio on FB!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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

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

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

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  12. 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...

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  13. 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

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  14. 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

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

    -Nan

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  16. 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!

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

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  18. 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

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  19. 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!!

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  20. 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!

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

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

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  23. 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

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  24. Oh and I follow on Twitter!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  25. Oops, Facebook Follower!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  26. 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

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  27. 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.

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

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

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  30. 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!!

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

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  32. 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.

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

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

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

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  36. 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.

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  37. 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

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

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  39. 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!

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  40. I like Aston Design Studio on facebook!

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

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

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

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  43. 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

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

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  45. Following Aston Design Studio on FB.

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  46. A new follower. Great give away!

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

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  48. 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

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  49. What an amazing giveaway! I'm definitely in!

    xox Linda

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  50. This flokati rug with photo looks great :)

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