FAQ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#006633" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="040d6c00ddvuru.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="062ac870.gif" border=0 width="172" height="135" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> An 18th Century painting including a floorcloth</div> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Make a Floorcloth"><U><IMG SRC="b998a610.jpg" border=0 width="138" height="97" ALT="Safari" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Make a Floorcloth"><U><B>How to Make Your Own Floorcloth</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact Me</B></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:barb@barbkowalik.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:barb@barbkowalik.com"><U><B>barb@barkowalik.com</B></U></A></div> <div> This website has been created and is maintained by Barbara Queen of the Universe</div> <div> Page update 11/20/07</div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Barb Kowalik"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="faqs_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330099" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>FAQS</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="#are_floorcloths_something_new_" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Are floorcloths something new?</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#can_i_buy_" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Can I buy the floorcloth I like directly from you?</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#i_like_" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I like one of your cloths, but I want it in a different color.  Can you change the color for me ?</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#i_would_" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I would like a special floorcloth designed to match my decor.  Can you do that?</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#how_do_i_" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How do I take care of a floorcloth? Aren't they fragile?</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#how_long_will_it_last_" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">How long will it last?</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id252.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Make a Floorcloth"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f099003300.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I would like to make my own floorcloth. How do I do that? </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="are_floorcloths_something_new_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Are floorcloths something new?</B></div> <div> Floorcloths originally were made from canvas sailcloth to cover floors. They date back as far as the 14th century. Painted oilcloths were also used as decorative wall hangings and  table coverings. They were introduced to North America in the 18th century. Despite over 200 years of popularity as an art form, floorcloths were not revived again until the 1950's, when decorators, in their quest for authenticity in restoration, fostered a movement toward handmade crafts, including stenciling and floorcloths. It has only been in the last few years that they have once again become popular for use in an entry hall and in a dining area, and a great many are used in front of the kitchen sink. The qualities which originally made them popular are the same today. They are made of readily available heavy cotton, and are easy to maintain. For those that have allergies, they are the perfect alternative to carpets. What has changed dramatically since the 1800's is the choice of materials and the variety of artistic styles. They are very durable. This makes them perfect for high traffic areas of your home where carpet would be damaged such as the kitchen and entry.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Back to top</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="can_i_buy_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Can I buy the floorcloth I like directly from you ?</B></div> <div> Yes, you can.  The prices on my site are wholesale. If you are interested in purchasing a piece or a commission piece, please contact me via mail at <A HREF="mailto:barb@barbkowalik.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:barb@barbkowalik.com"><U>barb@barbkowalik.com</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Back to top</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="i_like_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330099" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>I like one of your cloths, but I want it in a different color.  Can you change the color for me? Or can you put it on something else - like a chair?</B></FONT></div> <div> All of my catalog of pieces can be recreated. But they will not be identical as each piece is a hand painted original. So if you want different colors or different sizes there is no problem. However, they can cost you extra money as all the floorcloths are sold by the square foot.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Back to top</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="i_would_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330099" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>I would like a special floorcloth designed.  Can you do that?</B></FONT></div> <div> I do custom work, but there is a higher charge for that, as I will not sell the graphics to anyone else.  Please see my <A HREF="commissions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Custom Design"><U>Custom Design</U></A> page for more details.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Back to top</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="how_do_i_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330099" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>How do I take care of a floorcloth? Aren't they fragile?</B></FONT></div> <div> Fragile - Nope! <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Tahoma" >They will last longer than the surface they are covering!</FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Do place your floorcloth only on a hard smooth floor surface</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Do loosely roll your floorcloth to move it.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Don't fold or bend your floorcloth. This will crack the finish.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Don't place your floorcloth on top of carpet. This can cause the finish to crack and craze over time. Cracks DO NOT affect the wear of your floorcloth. To keep dirt out of the cracks, wash and apply a thin coat of past wax.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Freshen up your floorcloth with a new coat of water-based polyurethane as needed. Depending on use anywhere between 1 – 5 years.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Do walk on your floorcloth. They crave the attention.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">You can walk, run, dance and even roller blade on it. Ice skates however are not recommended.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Back to top</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="how_long_will_it_last_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330099" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>How long will it last?</B></FONT></div> <div> A floorcloth will last many years. They are extremely durable and can be exposed to extreme temperature and humidity changes throughout the year. A floorcloth at an entranceway will withstand melting snow, rock salt, sand and grit and still look beautiful. They can last longer than the floor they cover.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Back to top</B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>