What a Great Idea!

“I think they're awesome. I could even see these hanging as wall art rather than just using them as floor covering.”  What are they talking about?  Vintage Vinyl floor covering, or “floorcloths”.  Who would have thought that you would ever think of flooring as art?

What are floorcloths?  Simply put, they are decorative floor mats.  Earliest documentation shows us that floorcloths were first produced en masse in England, and were used as a way to insulate the floors against cold, windy winters.  They were also used in the summer when the heavy wool rugs were taken up for cleaning to protect the floor underneath from wear and tear.

They are actually a part of American heritage.  Floorcloths have also been called painted canvas, oil cloths and floor canvases. When people came to this country they were looking for ways to reproduce some of the furnishings they were used to back home. Resources were limited, but worn sails from ships provided them with a base to paint and cover the floor with American primitive paintings.  Presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Adams had floorcloths.

They waned in popularity in the 1850’s, and were relegated to the kitchen or hallways and were last referred to as oil cloths in the 1870’s.  Linoleum, which was invented in England in 1863, became the floor covering of choice. An advertisement from a Sears Roebuck catalog recommends it as being “like oil cloth, but heavier, more durable and softer to walk on.” In the middle of the 20th century, there was renewed interest in historic restoration, thus floorcloths became of interest again.

So, here you see our Vinyl Floorings, a modern version of the floorcloth.  Vintage designs bring you back in time, and add another dimension to your romantic decorating.  You will now be able to literally design, from floor to ceiling!  Best of all, they require no installation. Just lay them down and you're done!  Change your mind, and want to move it to another room? No problem!  What a refreshing alternative for decorative flooring!

They feature wonderful vintage designs that are printed on durable, certified non-slip vinyl. You will notice unique distressing that gives the impression of antique flooring. It lays and does not bend on the edges or corners. You can use over any surface, even wooden floors with spaces between boards. These versatile coverings may be used indoors as well as outdoors. Use them in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, entry areas, game rooms, basements, patios, decks, or any room that you would like some flooring accent.  They are excellent for any high traffic area where you need some decorative, durable flooring. It's an easy way to add some character and romance to any room.

So, even though the idea is not new, it is still a great idea to revive a centuries-old design feature!   Let your imagination free with design ideas.  Think of the application possibilities.  You will also come to see that they are awesome!  You may just decide to hang it on the wall.

Click here to see more Vintage Vinyl design ideas