The Complete Book of Floorcloths: Designs & Techniques for Painting Great-looking Canvas Rugs - Softcover

Cooper, Kathy; Hersey, Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1579903053 ISBN 13: 9781579903053

Publisher: Lark Books, 2002

Synopsis

“Lavishly illustrated. Clear, easy-to-follow directions.”—Library Journal. “A creative way to splash color and de-sign across your floors. Covers a wide range of innovative techniques from sponging to collage.”—The Washington Times. “Helps you decorate floors with eye-catching results. Plenty of samples are at hand displaying a wide range of styles.”—Decorative Artist’s Workbook.

About this title

About the Author:

Kathy Cooper began painting floorcloths in the mid-1970s to decorate her home. She developed her own methods, using acrylic pain, and was soon selling rugs to her friends. Today she is a full-time floorcloth artist and the owner of Orchard House Floorcloths in King, North Carolina.

Jan Hersey has been a writer for more than 20 years, specializing in feature stories on crafts, design, and home furnishings. She has been a regular contributor to trade journals for both the crafts and furniture industries and periodically teaches writing. A native of New England she now lives in North Carolina.

Review:

Rather a lost art these days, floorcloths originated as a cheap floor covering in the 1700s, later mimicking the more expensive floorings such as marquetry and marble. Exported to the US from England they soon became a gentle lady's pastime, enabling them to express their artistry at the same time as ending up with something pretty and practical. Dying out with the advent of linoleum and carpets in the 1920s, it was not until a few decades ago that they were resurrected by artists as a new medium with which to showcase their skills. This fascinating how-to book starts with the floorcloths' history, proceeds to styles and techniques and then explains the basics needed to emulate them. From chequerboard to florals, abstracts to bold, a huge range of different styles are shown accompanied by in-depth instructions on how to create your own heirloom piece. No longer regarded as a poor man's carpet or crumbcatcher, they are now highly regarded, easy-to-make ornamental additions with which to adorn your home. An interesting book for any hobbyist looking for something new. - Lucy Watson

About this edition

• Publisher: Lark Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1579903053
• ISBN 13: 9781579903053
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144