What happens when you want to cover your hardwood floor with something decorative but you don’t want to use a rug? A floor cloth is a wonderful option.
Floor cloths have been around since the middle ages, providing an inexpensive, DIY, alternative to rugs and area carpets. Their use decreased as Linoleum and other mass produced flooring products were introduced. However, a few artisans still create these wonderful floor coverings today. Floor cloths are especially popular with historic home enthusiasts.
What we love about floor cloths is that they offer great features from all types of flooring. They can have the intricate designs of oriental rugs. They are hypoallergenic and easy to clean like Linoleum and laminate floorings. They protect wood floors from scratches and wear like carpet and rugs. But unlike other flooring products, you can design or create them yourself.
Although floor cloths are typically associated with more traditional homes, this ability to custom make a floor cloth makes them highly versatile and appropriate, even for a modern home.
We learned about artist Lisa Curry Mair in the Spring 2009 issue of Old House Interiors magazine. Through her informative website, http://canvasworksfloorcloths.com/wordpress/?page_id=103, she explains what a floor cloth is, how they are made, how she can make one for you and even how you can make one yourself. If you choose to make your own floor cloth, she offers supplies, instructional materials and workshops.
Row House Living 
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