Woven Textile Shopping in Mykonos

 Mykonos is one of the most popular and widely visited of Greece's Cyclades islands. As I shared earlier this week, the island offers a spectacular experience that includes vibrant daytime and nightlife activities. In all of our guidebooks, Mykonos was characterized in two ways: a fun place to party and a great place to shop.

We spent two and a half days in Mykonos, and decided to explore the shopping options on our second afternoon. We followed the labyrinthian streets of Mykonos and stumbled into The Loom, a store specializing in traditional Greek woven rugs and textiles.

The shop was tiny but the selection was extensive. 

Rugs were piled high, just begging to be rolled out and enjoyed.

 If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know how much a love a good rug (see here, here, and here); but I was particularly taken by the hand-embroidered table linens and wall hangings.

 Many depicted traditional Greek symbols, namely the pomegranate and the tree of life, presented in a host of both muted or saturated colors.

 I mean, just look at these beautiful textiles! How would I walk away without taking the complete contents of the store with me?

Can you guess what we came home with?

A rug and an embroidered linen table cloth:

(all pictures via me)

Both will be treasured for years to come.

If you are ever in Athens or Mykonos, Greece, do yourself a favor and check out The Loom and talk with Vahan who was incredibly friendly and willing to strike a deal for two newlyweds.