Painted Floor Cloths

In the middle of the 18th century painted floor cloths were a standard item for every room. If and when they ever wore around the edges, they were cut down and used as small mats.

Painted floor cloths made today are much more durable. Some designers even create them to last over 10 years, with regular wear and proper care.

Taking A Comeback – The Floor Canvas

As part of the DIY movement and more artisans making a secondary income in arts and decor related industries, there are now a wide selection of painted floor cloths to choose from – one just right for your home – from a skilled designer.

In fact you can even request to have one custom made, with your family name, portraits, logo – whatever your heart desires it can be immortalized on a painted floor cloth!

You won’t just find these on the floor anymore, either. They’re making their comeback as table runners and placemats, Christmas tree skirts, protected art for your walls, stair coverings and much more.

As you may not know, I’m currently building a log home and we’re decorating it as primitive country as is fitting for the house’s structure. So you can imagine my joy when I happened onto this website – the woman makes every piece by hand – at 1/2 the prices I see locally and online. for the same level of work – painted floor cloths by Kristen – and if you email her you can choose colors, specify sizing, and send her all kinds of details of what you’re looking for.

In fact it was from Kristen that I got table runner in the picture above. I had fully intended to show you this on top of my wood table, in the new, ‘old’ style cabin, but as luck would have it, I’m in town and the painted floor cloth is out on the farm!

The painted floor cloth fell from grace in the mid-18th century, shortly after linoleum was introduced.

This hasn’t bothered the list of artisans still creating them today however, as the elite and even the frugal home decorator recognizes their value. Not only for their country authenticity, but also for their inspired beauty.

Checkers, repetitive stencils, and diamonds are standard for New England inspired cloths, but more ornate painting quality designs were also popular then, and even now.

To the right is my next purchase – for summer and fall on the farm – vine and berry placemats. These are super cheap, look country quaint but artisan crafted all at the same time and are cheap to buy. Especially when you consider that they are hand-crafted.

You can see more painted floor cloth designs here.