The Timeless Charm of Vintage Vinyl Floorcloths
April 5, 2022
Sponsored Content
Text by Maria LaPiana
The attraction was swift. Designers and homeowners fell hard for Vintage VinylÂŽ floor cloths when they were introduced to the market a decade ago. It was a sense of nostalgia that first captivated his customers, says Daren Lechner, who was one of the first vendors to offer the flooringâboth in his shop, Pura Vida Home & Gift in Needham, Massachusetts, and online.
Today the design worldâs love affair with the retro-inspired vinyl floor cloths is still going strong, thanks to a combination of practical good looks and versatility, says Lechner. They remain one of his best sellers. âCustomers love the fact that they essentially create an instant floor,â says Lechner. âTheyâre stylish, durable, and low-maintenance.â And now that the floor cloths are available in even more patterns and sizes, heâs seeing more creative applications than everâeverything from desk pads to backsplashes.
Smart and good-looking floors
Painted floor cloths were the original carpet substitutes of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Often painted to resemble faux stone, tile, or exotic woods, they were made of canvas, treated with linseed oil, and sealed with varnish to make them water- and pest-proof. In time, floor cloths morphed into mass-produced linoleum flooring, which gave way to easy-care, âno-waxâ vinyl. As old-home renovations took off, the search was on for a product that had the look and feel of vintage flooring, but was more practical. The Pennsylvania-based Spicher & Company hit paydirt when it developed a material that was strong, flexible, and held onto its vibrant colors. Enter the Vintage VinylÂŽ floor cloth, evoking the styles of centuries past on a non-slip, lay-flat, easy-to-clean surface. (They also made the floor cloths non-flammable and UV-resistant for up to three years.)
Style and substance
Today, Pura Vida offers Vintage VinylÂŽ in all of its make-it-your-own glory. Choose from more than 1,000 floor cloths; more than 130 patterns (each with its own options) are available in eighteen standard sizes, and in five shapes (rectangle, square, runner, round, and oval). Plus, five out of its seven collections can be customized.
âThere really is something for everyone,â says Lechner. âIâve seen the floor cloths work as well in midcentury homes as they do in modern loft spaces.â There are four new collections available:
⢠Persian Bazaar – Extraordinarily detailed patterns with names like Farahan and Tabriz that call to mind grand palaces and exotic places.
⢠Mosaics – Classic and edgy tiled patterns you might see in a New York City subway station.
⢠Norwegian Wood – Trompe lâoeil patterns that look for all the world like intricately pieced wood floors.
⢠American Folk Art Museum – Americana quilt-inspired patterns like Wedding Ring and Sunburst.
The new collections were selected to complement the originals: Classic (from basic and simple to ornate Victorian and Baroque); Williamsburg (a fresh take on historic floor cloths, including updated concepts with warm colors and a beautifully aged look); and Artisanry (designs that look like real wood, complete with grain and knots).
Vintage VinylÂŽ now appearing everywhere
Vinyl floor cloths can transform a spaceâwhether you need to conceal old or unsightly flooring or just want a new lookâin a flash. Itâs an efficient way to cover up a multitude of sins. They make sense as area rugs, of course, but they can also be used to cover a room from wall-to-wall. Because floor cloths donât require rug padsâwhich can stick to the floor and leave adhesive behindâthereâs no risk of damage to the flooring underneath (so theyâre good for apartment dwellers). They can beautify outdoor living spaces as well, as long as theyâre protected from the elements. For a more permanent application, they can be installed using a commercial-flooring adhesive.
Having sold more than 5,000 floor cloths so far, Lechner says heâs seen it allâand then some. Because Vintage VinylÂŽ cuts easily with scissors, thereâs no limit to where you can use it, or how. Consider a (personalized) welcome mat. Or a tabletop protector, cut to fit for use with or without a cloth. For decorative tablescapes, try placemats and table runners. Beautify your home office with a desk pad, or match your dogâs bowl mat to the kitchen runner. Some customers are even installing the cloths as kitchen backsplashes. Outside the home, Lechner has seen them used as custom flooring in van conversions.
Durability + easy care
âI canât tell you how many customers have told me theyâre tired of pets making messes, or sending carpets out to be cleaned,â says Lechner. âVintage Vinyl is the perfect solution because itâs easy to keep looking new and can last for years with proper care.â The hard-working vinyl floor cloths wipe clean, so theyâre ideal for high-traffic rooms or spaces that attract everyday dirt, like kitchens and mudrooms. The low-profile design (theyâre only 1/16-inch thick) makes them a good choice in rooms where too-thick rugs make it hard to open and close doors. And theyâre a boon to family members with allergies because unlike rugs and carpets, they donât harbor dust.
Vinyl floor coverings require only regular mopping to remove any surface dust or dirt; Lechner recommends Formula 409 for quick wipe-ups. And while the material is immensely hard-wearing, it can be damaged if youâre not careful. Floor cloths are the perfect choice for under dining room tables (especially if you have kids), but you should use felt pads under chairs and avoid dragging heavy items across the floor. Keep sharp objects away from the vinylâuse caution when wearing high-heeled shoesâand youâll enjoy your stylish floors for years to come.
Curious how other homeowners have used Vintage VinylŽ? Click here.
Pura Vida Home & Gift
Needham, Massachusetts
781-444-4037
puravidahomeandgift.com
Share
You must be logged in to post a comment.