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Decorating· DIY

Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

For the past several weeks I have been fairly absent from blog land. I hope to make up for the lack of posts and comments with the first of several tutorials of the projects that have kept me away from the computer. One of the largest projects I created was a painted floor cloth to use in our Metis Linens booth at the Rose Bowl. It was very worth the time and effort, as it gave our display a finished look and elicited several “ooh’s and aah’s”. Here is a Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth.
Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

I read several articles on painted floor cloths. Martha Stewart had a good tutorial. While she recommended using cotton duck as the paintable canvas, it was a bit out of my budget so I decided to try a simple and inexpensive painters drop cloth. After I laid the cloth out I decided that it would be best to iron it for a smoother surface.   
Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth
I purchased white acrylic artist gesso from the local arts and craft store. It can be expensive, so use a coupon. Gesso is the medium that preps your painting surface and gives it a firmer texture. I applied two coats. A big mistake that I made was using a cheap paintbrush. What a nightmare! The gesso globbed onto the surface and I had to keep picking loose strands from the brush out of the paint.
Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

Invest In a Good Paintbrush

Don’t make my mistake. Invest in a good paintbrush right from the start. I selected the Purdy paintbrush and it was perfect. It delivered smooth, even strokes of paint and best of all there were no loose brush bristles. 
Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth
I wanted to create a diamond pattern, so I used some leftover flooring tile I had as a template. You could use any stencil pattern as well.
Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

The use of blue chalk lines really helped in keeping the pattern straight. The angle of the XL 2.5″ Purdy paintbrush worked well in creating the sharp diamond points.  

Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

I selected Pratt and Lambert Appaloosa 33~28 as the base and Silver Mink 33~25 for the darker squares. It required just one coat. I let it dry for over a day and then applied one coat of satin finish clear varnish to seal the cloth as it was going to receive quite a bit of foot traffic. The varnish will also allow me to run a damp mop over the cloth from time to time. 
Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

Truth time. This wasn’t a tremendously hard project, but it did take 3 days to finish due to the drying time that each coat of gesso, paint, and varnish required. I agree with Martha that stapling the canvas onto a sheet of plywood or old door would be MUCH easier. It was a little tough to paint the canvas just lying flat on the ground. But due to the large size of canvas I was creating, the plywood would have cost more than the finished project so I opted not to do this step.

I think the end result was worth the time investment. What do you think?

Tutorial Creating A Painted Floorcloth

This project would be great in a breakfast area or outdoor living space. Let me know if you create your own.

Laura

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Comments

  1. Lorrie says

    It's beautiful, Laura! And it looks perfect in your wonderful Métis Linens booth. How I wish I could have been there.

  2. Auntie Em says

    Your floorcloth is gorgeous! I need something cheap and easy to roll up when necessary for my basement floor. This would be perfect!
    Thanks for the inspiration! :o)

  3. Deanna says

    Dear Laura,
    May you have a sweet day!

    This is a neat way to decorate and add some character to a area needing some gusto.

    Neat to see.
    God bless,
    d from homehaven

  4. Whimsey Creations says

    I have one at my front door that I've had for at least two years. We have 3 big black Lab mixes and they always moved a rug all over the place rushing the front door. I don't have this problem with the floor cloth. I really need to clean it and re-varnish but it was fun to make. I did a solid color background, then an angel design and lettering in the middle. Around the edges did squares and circles with 'stitching' kind of like pennies. Then put 3 coats of varnish – could really have used 5. It did take awhile but luckily was the size of my dining room table so I was able to paint it standing up. Lots of layers though.

  5. French Basketeer.com says

    The floorcloth is just perfect in the booth! Like a piece of art for the floor; I hope your readers will give it a try…fantastic job!

  7. Little Leslie says

    I love it. I think I'll try to do it for my kitchen. It's 1950's red, black and white. Perfect black and white diamonds.

  8. Blondie's Journal says

    Wow! What a wonderful piece of work, Laura! You amaze me!

    Love your new blog title!! Hee hee!

    XO,
    Jane

  9. Marydon says

    G'day, Laura ~
    What a fabulous floor cloth, very creative & clever.
    Have a great eve ~
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

  10. Privet and Holly says

    I am smiling
    at your “moment
    of truth” as I
    am in the middle
    of a what should
    have been a fairly
    simple painting job ~
    Are they ever really
    simple? But in your
    case, definitely a
    great investment ~
    your booth looks
    sooo inviting!!
    Bravo!
    xx Suzanne

  11. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    Hi Laura, The floor cloth is fabulous! I painted a small one some time ago for my kitchen and it lasted several years.

    I sent you my address for the damask napkins. Please email me if you didn't receive it. My email has been acting up.
    xoxo,Sherry

  12. The Boston Lady says

    Yes, most definitely worth it! The booth looked superb and that floor was the finishing touch. Congrats on a great start to your new venture. I especially love the medals and such that you had pinned to those pillows. Also, the embroidered linens. Oh, my, it's too hard to pick favorites.

    Now, dish, how much do you hate Betty Draper? I know you ran off to watch Sunday's episode! Ann

  13. Jen T says

    Laura thank you so much for this tutorial! I've wanted to do this for a while but haven't looked into the details. Yours is gorgeous! Your booth is SO pretty -would have loved to pick through it! Jen

  16. Julie Tucker-Wolek says

    This is simply amazing Laura!! BEAUTIFUL work! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

  17. Karena says

    Laura I am so glad for the tutorial as I have wanted to do this and have a painters canvas in the back of my Jeep!!

    It turned out beautifully!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  18. Michelle@Somedaycrafts says

    I'm loving the name of your blog right now!!!! I got some of those brushes and need to use them. LOve this idea. I highlighted this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com tonight!

  19. Design Blooms says

    Oh cool. Im doing an event next weekend in Georgia. This adds so much to the space, makes it feel more welcoming. If I can find the time, I will def. do this! Thanks!

  20. Liz says

    I love your rug! I don't have any place to use one or I'ld be trying my hand at that fun little project. 🙂

    ~Liz

  21. Gracie's Cottage says

    It's wonderful! (Those painter's drop cloths are the best “secret weapon” we have for shows. Tablecloths, floors, walls – they can be put to use in so many ways!)

    Jan

  22. fairfieldhousenj.com says

    Laura,

    A wonderful tutorial. I have painted a few floor/oil clothes. This looks fabulous in your booth. I'm surprised no one made you an offer on it! (Btw, how much are you asking for it? )

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

  24. Lady Dorothy says

    Fabulous! Fantastic job!

    I love drop cloths! I've used them for curtains and for tablecloths. Now, I have something else to think about! 🙂

  25. gretchen says

    you did a great job and that's the largest painted floor cloth I've ever seen!
    It's something I always wanted to try and you made it look possible – thanks for sharing!

  28. Ann says

    That looks really good…

    I just wish I have the time and patience to pull something like that:)

  29. Karen says

    Yes, the time you invested is worth it!The pattern added so much. Question: why couldn't you use a roller to put on your gesso? Let me know. K

  30. Candylei says

    It's wonderful and the large drop cloths are only 9.99 at Home Depot. You have motivated me to try one for the patio…how fun!
    Candylei

  31. Bella says

    Hi Laura, totally new to your blog, but love it so far, am your newest follower. This totally caught my eye, I love this kind of thing, and really like to see that you used a simple painters cloth, and it turned out fabulous. Great job, great looking booth, and look forward to spending more time checking your blog out. I host a weekly party **Amaze me August** and would love if you joined. Hope you can make it, and if not then keep me in mind next time, although I would love to share this with my readers, so hopefully 🙂 Thanks again, Bella 🙂

  32. Green Willow Pond says

    Wow that looks fabulous. I love the simple design. Great job!

    Visiting from Funky Junk 🙂

  33. becca says

    love the diamond pattern you created. I made a rug for our dining and lived with it for a month before I decided I didn't like the color. So I turned it over, used regular wall primer and painted a new color on the back. The cloth lays FLAT now…no more wrinkles or flopping at the corners. Martha was right. Must. Prime. Both. Sides. I used double sided tape to secure the cloth to the garage floor when I painted. Worked great. Love your booth

  34. The DIY Show Off says

    Well worth your hard work, Laura! It's beautiful! I've always wanted to try something like this. Maybe next year when the weather is better. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous work in the DIY Project Parade!

    Roeshel

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