8.5' x 9' Painted Canvas Rug for a casual dining area. Cut canvas edge.

We produce three types of floorcloths. "GraffitiMats" are, most likely, the smaller mats you saw at our booth display at a recent craft show. They are suitable for sizes 3' x 5' and smaller. GraffitiMats can be seen at our website www.GraffitiMats.com, or I can send information by mail per your request.

For any floorcloth over a 3' x 5' size, we recommend a painted floorcloth. This is because for larger pieces, a heavier industrial weight canvas should be used. This heavy weight canvas will add body and durability to the life of the painted floorcloth. It is more suitable for dining rooms where chairs are being constantly moved about during daily activity.

My studio has produced painted floorcloths for 15 years. Before I began to make painted floorcloths, I worked as a rug designer and hand-weaver. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals and interior designers on both simple and complex residential projects in a variety of textile and painting techniques. I enjoy this type of project, and feel I have been successful in providing my clients the project they are hoping to receive. References can be provided per your request.

Following is a photo journal of two previous painted floorcloth projects. Both were completed within the past 18 months

Sheree Sorrells

Whitewoven Studio

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WHY USE A PAINTED FLOORCLOTH?

Floorcloths or canvas rugs can be used as an area rug might be used. They should be used on a hard surface, i.e. not on top of carpet. They should be used indoors.

Floorcloths are particularly suited for places where clean-up is needed on a frequent basis. Dining rooms, entry ways and kitchens are prime places for a floorcloth.

Floorcloths can provide protection for the floor. This is particularly useful where hardwood floors are installed in areas of heavy use or cooking.

Clean up for a floorcloth is simple and easy by using a damp mop. They can be waxed, but we don't usually recommend that process. Sometimes if a family dog is very active and large, this is a help.

Floorcloths can be made to have a very flat hem, as with a cut edge, making them useful for homes with seniors. This is also a useful factor when placed near a doorway, and the door swing is minimal.

Canvas Rugs or Floorcloths have a service life of 20 to 25 years!! We build a floorcloth to last by doing the following:

We use an industrial weight canvas, which is stretched and sized before beginning to paint. This is a arduous process and is frequently skipped or partially done by less experienced floorcloth makers.
We use many layers of paint to prepare the canvas for the design layer. The buildup of paint serves two purposes. 1) It adds weight and body to the floorcloth, which helps it lay flat and solid for many years of use. 2) Through the building of the layers, the surface is becoming smoother. This is a primary consideration for how easy it will be to CLEAN the floorcloth.
We use marine grade paint and finish. This adds to the cost of production, but guarantees that the floorcloth will remain flexible and will not crack.

8.5' x 11' Painted Canvas Rug in Atlanta GA, turned canvas hem.

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QUALITIES OF A WHITEWOVEN PAINTED FLOORCLOTH

Width to 9.5' in one piece. For wider widths, splicing is possible. This will be sampled to the client. Splicing is an additional charge. Length can be up to 20 feet.

◘Edges of a painted floorcloth can be a turned canvas hem, or a cut edge. A turned canvas hem creates a slight bulk at the edge of a floorcloth. A cut edge has no bulk on the edge. This difference must be decided in the beginning because it effects how the work is done on the floorcloth.

Shaped canvas rug in front of the refrigerator.

◘Some shaping can be done for a floorcloth design. Straight edge shaping can have a turned hem or a cut edge hem. Rounded shapes must have a cut edge hem.

◘We use a #4 industrial canvas for our floorcloths. We size and stretch the canvas before any paint is applied. Multiple layers of paint are applied on both the front and back of the canvas to give the body of the floorcloth integrity and durability. The design layer begins on the 5th coat of the front of the floorcloth. A design layer may include up to 5 additional layers of paint.

Shrinking and sizing the canvas prior to painting.

◘All the paints and the finish of our floorcloths are marine grade. This means they are flexible and will not crack, yellow or peel.

◘Each floorcloth receives 3 to 4 coats of finish on the front side. A cut edge hem is sufficiently sealed, painted, and finished.

◘Floorcloths are allowed to cure for at least 2 weeks prior to shipping to harden the finish.

◘Furniture placed on a floorcloth should not have sharp TIPS. If they do, cups can be used or felt or plastic tips for chairs.

◘If furniture is placed on the floorcloth, an underlay pad is not needed. If the floorcloth is free of furniture placement, we can provide information about the best way to secure the floorcloth to the floor. We can also assist you in underlay padding purchase and/or installation.

ABOUT TILED FLOORS

A floorcloth will work beautifully on a tiled floor. We recommend the use of a rug pad to lessen the echo of grout lines to the floorcloth.

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THE PROGRESSION OF A PAINTED FLOORCLOTH PROJECT WITH WHITEWOVEN STUDIO

DISCUSSION

Discussion of the space, evaluation of the correct size. Discussion of the limitations or unique characteristics of the space. This can be done on the phone, and with the exchange of photos, wallpaper samples, upholstery samples and paint chips. We have successfully completed custom designed floorcloths without ever personally seeing the installation location.

Discussion of the unique characteristics of the construction of the floorcloth. Making choices regarding the hemming of the floorcloth and/or shape of the floorcloth.

Discussion of how you want the floorcloth to look...do you have a design in mind? Do you have any pictures or drawings that will help me visualize the design you have in mind?

PRODUCTION OF THE SAMPLE

When you are comfortable that I have an idea of the design of floorcloth you want, I am ready to proceed to the SAMPLE making process. The sampling process most likely will begin with drawings. This helps me with the visualization of the project you have in mind. When you and I both feel we understand the direction of the design of the floorcloth, I am ready to proceed to the Painted Sample.

The Painted Sample is usually about 30" x 40" in size. It will have the type of hemming that you have specified for the larger floorcloth. The design of the Painted Sample will be a "corner view" of the larger floorcloth project. The finish and weight will be as the larger proposed project.

There is a $350.00 fee for the PaintedSample process. This fee covers the labor charge for producing the painted sample. It does not cover owning the sample. The sample remains the property of Whitewoven Studio. If the sample is approved, the $350. charge will be credited to the client's purchase of the larger project of the same design.

If the Painted Sample is not approved, there are choices to make. As the artist, I will make the sample and the larger project for you if I feel I have the capacity to do the project. We will decide together if additional samples (drawings or painted) will lead us to a positive outcome. If I don't feel I can make the project as you wish, I may choose this point to relinquish the opportunity. If you, as the client, choose not to go forward; the $350.00 sample fee becomes non-refundable, and our business negotiations will be complete.

WHEN THE SAMPLE IS APPROVED

When the sample is approved, the first deposit becomes due. This will be 50% of the entire project excluding shipping, packaging and sales tax (if sales tax is applicable).

As the work progresses on the painted floorcloth project, I will be in touch with you approximately every month to give you a progress report. When photos are available, I will offer those to you. Some clients wish to wait until delivery to see the project.

At the point in which I feel I can project the delivery date of the floorcloth, an additional payment is due to bring the total paid to 2/3 of the entire project.

The balance due is payable at the point of delivery of the project. If the project is shipped, the balance due must be paid before shipping. If we are delivering the project, we may request the balance due before leaving North Carolina.

The average time to go through the sample making process and produce a large painted floorcloth is 4 to 6 months.

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PRICE SCHEDULE

Sample drawings or sketches: $45.00 non-refundable

Painted sample; labor only $350.00 credited to purchase of same project

Floorcloth, feathered Starting at $45/sq.ft. (8’ x 10’ = 3600.)

Floorcloth, geometric designs Starting at $65.00/sq.ft. (8' x 10' = 5200.)

Floorcloth, complex designs Starting at $85.00/sq.ft. (8' x 10' = 6800.)

Floorcloth, stenciled Starting at $95/sq.ft. (8’ x 10’ = $7600.)

ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE/optional CHARGES

Splicing (for widths wider than 9.5 feet) $15.00/linear foot

In-home consultation-local to Western NC $125.00

In-home consultation- not local $125.00 plus travel expense

Delivery (local) and Installation $250.00 plus travel expense

Underlayment padding To be determined.

Packaging for shipping $75.00

Sales Tax if within NC 6.75%

Shipping expense Based on weight, measure and shipping method preferred. All Shipments are insured.

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ABOUT SHIPPING

Large floorcloths are heavy, and shipping is expensive at best. We require floorcloth must also be insured for shipping. Shipping may have to be by common carrier, Fed Ex or UPS; depending on the size of the item.

A recent shipping, packaging and insurance from Waynesville NC to Atlanta GA for a 10 x 12 painted floorcloth was over $600.00. This client chose to have us deliver the floorcloth. We can discuss the options.

We actually prefer to deliver the floorcloth. It gives us a chance to see the installation and take photos. Of course this is not always possible, but we travel the east coast doing craft shows and if we can work out to be nearby for a consultation or delivery we are happy to do so. If this is an attractive option for you, please check our show schedule. Advanced planning is needed to make this work.