Byrdcall Studio Floorcloths
Today, floorcloths are making resurgence in popularity. I made my first floorcloth in 1985. Fifteen years later I was amazed at well it had held its beauty despite its placement in front of the busy kitchen sink. As an artist familiar with painting on canvas and other surfaces, I became more intrigued by the fine craft and art of floorcloth making. After making dozens more floorcloths, I became obsessed with knowing all there is to know about floorcloths. For nearly a year, I surfed the Internet, read books, watched videos, and contacted professional floorcloth makers asking how they dealt with some of the challenges of making the "perfect floorcloth." I have taken the best of the best advice and adapted it to become my own.
At Byrdcall Studio, my husband helps me stretch 100% cotton duck on a very large frame where it is given multiple coats of high quality primer which will help prevent rippling. The canvas is removed from the frame, flipped over, re-framed and given the same treatment on the reverse. After priming and removing the canvas from the frame, I carefully miter the corners and hem to specifications with the aid of strong adhesives. I usually use latex paints for the base colors and artist-quality acrylic paints for design and details—all painted by hand. After applying UV-protection, I seal the cloth with multiple layers of environmentally safe water-based polyurethane or water-proof varnish. These are the same quality finishes one puts on their new hardwood floors which is necessary to protect the floorcloth for high volume traffic in your home. After a 3 week curing period, I apply a light coat of bowling alley wax for added protection and voila— the floorcloth is ready for heavy foot traffic.
When shopping for a quality floorcloth, hold the cloth in your hand to feel the "heft" of the finished canvas. Examine the edge. If you see a wavy edge, beware—it will buckle and cause people to trip. There are few short cuts in making the highest quality floorcloth. I take the extra steps as though I was going to live with the floorcloth for my entire life. They take weeks to make if done properly, but it’s worth it.
Custom Orders
To custom order a floorcloth (for floor or table), tell me what colors you like or need. What kind of design do you have in mind? Can you send me fabric swatches, photographs of the space it will be located, or your own sketches if you sketch? Send your ideas along with a $100 deposit. My fees ranges from $35 - $45 per square foot depending on the how detailed the design is. The sketches I send will show a range of possibilities to help you assess your design needs as well as work within your budget. My goal is to make you happy.
All my designs are original and one of a kind.
Remember what a nice gift a floorcloth can be. A table runner or placemat set won’t break the bank, yet can bring a special friend the joy of receiving a very personalized gift.