Product Description

With complete instructions for a score of techniques; and with ten complete projects, each shown in colour and featuring step-by-step drawings, this book shows you how to make colourful and useful floorcloths, that can be designed to fit any decor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #504402 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From Library Journal
Cooper, a floorcloth artist, and Hersey, a home furnishings writer, show how decorated floorcloths can be used in today's home. Floorcloths were first used in the 18th century and continued to be popular until the early 20th century, when they were replaced by linoleum. Lavishly illustrated with examples of the works of over 60 floorcloth artists, the clear, easy-to-follow directions describe how to make a basic checkerboard-patterned floorcloth and continue with eight other projects. A directory of mail-order supply sources would have been helpful, since specialty items are recommended that may be unavailable in many areas. A good choice for medium and larger collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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 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.

Customer Reviews

Terrific book
I love this book. In the first place, it's just a beautiful publication--very well written and designed, and loaded with examples of gorgeous floorcloths by many artists. I borrowed it from the library just to look at the pictures, then decided I had to buy a copy for myself! Secondly, the instructions are wonderfully clear and precise (I've written and edited instructional manuals, so I know good instructions when I see them.)

I've made one floorcloth and have started a second. This is practically the first time in my 49 years that I have actually completed a craft project, and I'm thrilled with myself, with my new floorcloth (now on my bathroom floor) and with this book. Anyone who is interested in floorcloths surely would want a copy.

Inspirational
I borrowed this book from a friend and had to buy a copy for myself. It gets your right-brain in high gear. If you're looking for the cutesy, folksy arts & crafts flowing out of China these days, forget this one. But if you like to create and like the unique, this is it. Even if you've never did a cloth before, this book will show you step by step and lead you to create a work of art!

Fantastic! Clearly written, beautifully illustrated. . .
I purchased this book on a whim. After reading it cover to cover, I mustered up the nerve to purchase materials for my first floorcloth. This book took me step-by step through the process and I now have a wonderful custom floorcloth which enhances my home at a fraction of what I would have spent had I purchased it at an interior design retailer. I can't wait to do one for my dining room.

The illustrations are beautiful and varied. There is a huge variety of floorcloths represented here, truely something for everyone's decorating style. I found the book to be inspirational not just for making floorcloths but also for decorative floor painting ideas--I adapted one design to an ugly, odd shaped plywood floor in my home, transforming the room.

This book also has appeal for those who merely wish to peruse different art forms. I brought it to work one day and as it was being passed around "ooh's and aah's" came from most who studied it. My friends loved it, and though they wouldn't dream of picking up a paintbrush, they got lots of ideas...

But, for those of us who enjoy the creative process, this book is loaded with straight forward instructions, many beautiful illustrations and tons of inspiration making it easy to dive in and have some fun.