Olde Virginea Trading Co. has been producing floorcloths in the "best and neatest manner" since 1981. We create two styles of Painted Canvas Floorcloth. Both are very durable:

Our Authentically Reproduced Painted Canvas Floorcloths are made of heavy cotton canvas, emulating the early floorcloths imported from Britain to the Colonies. Oil painted and sealed with a "long oil varnish" which we create from an 18th Century recipe. The edges of these floorcloths are finely sealed and finished, without the need to hem the edge. Appropriate for an authentic "period" room. The weight of the canvas is sufficient to lay flat without turning edges under. Available in sizes over 3'x4' only. Mainly custom order, though we do try to have some of the more popular designs and sizes available for immediate shipment. Please call or e-mail to discuss sizes, design and price. Our floorcloths have been featured in numerous magazines and source books, such as Colonial Homes magazine,   Early American Life magazine, and  even in Bob Vila's column in Popular Mechanics magazine.
Our second line of floorcloths is on a lighter weight canvas, more modern materials and techniques are used, and the edges are turned under for stability. Both contemporary and 18th-19th Century designs are used. The back is coated with a rubberized backing to help it be slip resistent. Approx. 3'x4'and under are the only floorcloth sizes available in this weight canvas.
Since not many examples of floorcloths from the Colonial period survive today, we take our designs from old paintings & old books featuring floorcloth designs. We work in "historic color palettes" or your palette choice.

When your floorcloth arrives, please remove from the shipping tube and plastic wrap. If the weather is cold outside, the floorcloth will be cold as well when you receive it, do not try to force it open, let it warm to room temperature and then unroll it gently as it warms. A hairdryer could help soften the oils in the paint. Please do not bend or crease it, as it is a painting and should be treated as such.

If used under a table with chairs, it is wise to put felt or a protection of some sort under the legs of all. Even though the surface is well coated with varnish to protect the painting, chairs can eventually damage the surface by scraping back and forth, just as with a hardwood floor.

You may put a thin layer of newsprint under your floorcloth as a barrier between the painting and the hardwood floors, if your floorcloth is NOT latex backed. Lay the floorcloth on a hard surface only. If left laying flat, your floorcloth will serve you for many years. Do not place on a foam pad like would go under a regular carpet.

If you find that people are kicking the corners or edges of the floorcloth, you might put a bit of double-sided carpet tape under those areas. Our canvas is prepared to lie flat on the floor and will do so unless the edges are repeatedly kicked or mistreated.

To clean, just damp mop with mild soap and water (do not let water stand or puddle).

Interesting Fact: Linolium was invented to look like a floorcloth, as a cheap alternative to the expense of having a hand painted canvas floorcloth created. That is why a true reproduction of an 18th Century Floorcloth resembles linolium!

           

   

Copyright 1999 and 2002 by 18th Century Advisory,Inc.