Few surfaces present more of a design opportunity than wood floors. They make a perfect backdrop to add color, texture, and design to a background rich in its own color and character. Many have taken advantage of this opportunity and produced stunning interiors.
I think everyone is accustomed to seeing area rugs but there is another item that has been off our radar for some time that is making a comeback – floorcloths. For those not familiar with floorcloths, they have a rich history and for centuries they were used to decorate floors from royalty to the common man. Part of what fueled their popularity was the availability of the products used to make them – canvas and paint or coatings. They were able to withstand the punishment of the footwear of the day and proved to be economical to produce. In the U.S., floorcloths were popular enough to grace the entrance hall of Thomas Jefferson’s Montpelier. It was painted green in an effort to bring the exterior into the interior and replicate the look of grass.
I have always been attracted to floorcloths and I am extremely pleased by the options I am finding online. When you combine the skill level of the artisans and the quality of the products available today to make them, you not only see why they are excellent décor, you also see why they are an excellent investment. They are much more durable and easier to clean and maintain than in the past, and the array of designs is limitless.
I have spent a little time looking for artists who offer some well-designed and well-made floorcloths and I have listed the ones I am most impressed with below. I encourage you to visit their sites, check out their galleries and see what they offer. For those of you with talent and the motivation, you will find a couple that will help you design and create your own floorcloth.
When it comes to home décor, I think it goes without saying that wood floors offer homeowners the most complete and versatile palette for flooring materials. Whether you choose an Oriental rug, woven rug or an attractive floorcloth they enhance the look and value of your floors and your home. Used and maintained properly, floorcloths also provide additional protection for your prized wood floors.
Lisa Curry Mair
Canvasworks
326 Henry Gould Road
Perkinsville, VT 05151
802.263.5410
www.canvasworksfloorcloths.com
lisa@canvasworksfloorcloths.com
Susan Mugford
Historic Design
3120 Towne Hill Road
East Montpelier, VT 05651
802.229.0268
historicdesign@aol.com
Kathy Cooper
115 Cascade Ave.
Winston Salem, NC 27127
336.245.3130
floorcloths@hotmail.com
www.kathycooperfloorcloths.com
Gracewood Design
6107 NE 32nd Place
Portland, Oregon 97211
503.922.0286
info@gracewooddesign.com
Displayed photos are from the websites of Lisa Curry Mair (Mariner’s Compass) and Kathy Cooper (Birds of a Feather) respectively.
Michael Purser | © Rosebud Co. 2016
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