Painted
and varnished floorcloths were among the first floorcoverings
used in this country. Dating back to 14th century French oilcloths
they evolved into floorcloths and substituted for more costly
flooring. A floorcloth was the floorclovering of choice for
affluent Americans in colonial times. Originally imported from
England, domestically produced floorcloths eventually rivaled
those from abroad. Early floorcloths were designed to mimic
more costly flooring materials such as marble, tile, and wood
parquet, and were later followed by geometric designs. Later
in the 18th century floorcloths were painted to imitate Oriental
rugs.
Today,
painted floorcloths are enjoying a revival as a vital usable
art form that offers significant protection for your floors.
Designs are limited only by the imagination, and methods of
decoration range from hand painting to stenciling to stamping.
For
more information about the history of floorcloths.
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