The floor cloth is a home décor element that has been around for hundreds of years. Like a rug, it helps protect your floor and add color, but historically floor mats were more affordable than rugs, and so really became an important part of interior design history for many families. Today, floor mats are an amazing opportunity to bring in colorful, bold and bright art in unexpected places.
Floor cloths are painted on large sheets of canvas primed with multiple layers of marble gesso—a thin plaster prepared with glue—which gives it strength and a stable surface for the paint to adhere. Hand-painted layers of acrylic are piled on top of one another creatively until a beautiful piece of art is born. Then, the finished floor cloth is covered with two coats of paste wax, for a durable and long-lasting seal.
If it sounds like these floor cloths take time to create, you’d be right. Turner takes the time to research just what the client is looking for, and then spends a lot of time actually creating the cloths. High-quality and quite thought out, these pieces become heirlooms for their owners. And they don’t just have to be floor cloths, either. Turner’s cloths become durable art for the wall, placemats and more. This type of art and craft is not only interesting, it’s flexible, too!We asked Turner some questions about her unique art of floor cloths and a new type of art she's been delving into lately:
I see you have a long and very impressive history in the arts field, what specifically about decorative painting and floor cloths appealed to you?I like functional art objects, especially ones that can be used in several was. Such as a wall hanging later being used on the floor. They are hemmed but not framed so they can be rolled up and stored easily. I put hanging tabs on all of them so a client may have the option to display them either way. It seems like the sky's the limit when it comes to designing floor cloths for customers.
What's the most difficult subject a customer has ever asked you to paint?
A client commissioned a floor cloth that ended up being 6 ft. high and 22 ft. long. It was a map of her home town painted in Will Moses style. All the buildings had to photographed, drawn and then painted onto the piece. She also wanted buildings, included, that were there in the 50's. It required a lot of research before I ever began. A special table had to be built for it. It was so large that I couldn't work on it flat, all the time, so every few days my family had to help hang it upright. I spent months on it but I knew she was very ill and took that into consideration as far as a completion date was concerned. She decided to use it on a wall in a family room so a scaffold system was put in place to hang it. She passed away shortly after it was completed.
Does it ever bother you that you are creating amazing pieces of art that are essentially walked all over?Yes, sometimes it does because I think they would last longer if hung on the wall. I think when a person purchases one they take care of it but a visitor might unintentionally damage it with high heel shoes or something like that.
You mention somewhere that floor cloths are sometimes hung on the wall as art—are there other uses or ways in which customers have displayed floor cloths that surprised you?
I visited the home of a friend who purchased a set of placemats at an art show. She used them in place of a back splash in her kitchen over the sink. It worked out great. Some of my pieces have been used in place of glass in a door, to hide an unattractive view, in bathrooms near tubs or showers because they can resist moisture. I painted a rose compass for the galley of a friend's yacht.
And they are definitely only for interior use, right? What about households with kids and puppies, should any special care be taken around those critters?They are durable but not indestructible. If furniture is gong to be placed over them I suggest using "cups" under the chair legs. A sharp object will cut in to the finish so I suggest using them in a place where "normal foot traffic" will not damage them. I did see a small child running metal cars over one shortly after it was delivered and put in place. It was fine.
Do you do a lot of painted furniture commissions, as well?
I have just started painting design on furniture for the purpose of selling. My late husband was a cabinet and furniture craftsman and he spent years building beautiful furniture so I have had to overcome the "sin" of painting furniture. I usually only work on pieces that have an unattractive wood grain. I like to repeat some of the colors or existing designs in a room into the wall hanging or floor cloth.
We always think about decorative arts as working in homes with a country or traditional style, do you think these floor cloths and furniture pieces can work in other home decor styles, like modern or contemporary?Absolutely, many are sold at shows that are used in solariums, condos, beach homes and vacation homes that have a light hearted and colorful atmosphere. They can be used on wood, tile or stone floors...but not carpet.
What are the typical price ranges?
They range from about $80 for a set of placemats to about $2000 for a large floor cloth. The prices depend on the complexity of the design and expenses involved for a custom piece, such as travel expenses, or photographs, etc. Most of the ones for a kitchen that will accommodate a table and chairs are in the area of $400-$800. I think that is very reasonable.
If there's anything else you'd like to add?This type of art work does break the rule..."Don't buy art to match your sofa"....Most of my clients already have certain ideas about their decor and these pieces add to their existing overall look. Matching a sofa or other color scheme is fine. I do like to see a client's face when they first see a finished piece, delivered and installed...it's a lot of fun to do this type of work!
Thanks, Susan!
