Floor Cloth Canvas
Floor Cloths: Everything old is new again! That’s definitely true when it comes to floor cloths, which are simply large hand-painted canvases that are made to cover the floor. It is thought that floor cloths originated in the early part of the eighteenth century, although it is altogether possible that they were used even earlier than that.
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Price: $174 |
Brand: Fredrix |
Fredrix Floor Cloth Canvas is ideal for stenciling and decorative painting. |
Floor cloths became quite popular among wealthy folks during that time period as a beautiful way to cover their boring wooden floors. And depending on the quality of the artwork on the floor cloth canvas, they were often quite expensive and very elegant. The working class during the time also took a strong liking to floor cloths, although the ones that they could afford were not as refined or artistic, and was often crafted from salvaged materials like the discarded or damaged sails of ships. Floor cloths were also called oil cloths because oil was rubbed into the back and front of the floor cloth canvas in order to preserve the paint and the design. Paints used at the time didn’t last very long; they tended to dry out and then chip away. By oiling them, they gave the paint a bit of protection and longevity while also giving the floor cloth canvases a bit of added durability. If you ever visit Mount Vernon, you can view the original floor cloth that was used by George Washington, still displayed on the floor. Floor cloths remained popular up until the time that linoleum became a mainstream floor covering, and they are quickly regaining their popularity as a decorative element for the modern home.
Today’s floor cloths are made commercially, but it can be quite fun and much more rewarding to make your own using floor cloth canvas. When choosing floor cloth canvas, be sure to go for the durability of heavy cotton duck that is double-primed on one side, like Fredrix Floor Cloth Canvas, for the best result.