Painted Floors Can be Eco-Friendly

Painted floors and floorcloths can be a whimsical, stylish and eco-friendly design element.

Figure A

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A little color on the floor can change the entire look and feel of the room. Painted floors are a fun way to bring new energy to almost any flooring material. And by resurfacing the floor you already have rather than ripping it up and throwing it away, you're being kind to the environment. To create a truly "green" floor, use low VOC paints.

The latest trend in bringing color and design in a room has people rolling up the carpet and using bright paint colors and geometric or fun patterns.
People are painting their floors for a change, to add dimension and to create something that someone else doesn't have. Whether it's a faux finish or a simple pattern, homeowners are finding that a little paint on the floor can bring a new life to a room.

Figure B

With painted flatware and teacups, this floor in a cramped New York kitchen has become a lively design wink that surprises and delights visitors.

More than just lifting a room's mood, a painted floor can also be a cure for tiny spaces. Create more depth or distance in a hallway than what is really there by fooling the eye. Stripes that extend down the hallway give the illusion that it's longer than it really is.

Paint is an economical way to fix a less-than-perfect floor. Use any latex paint and water-based polyurethane to create a design that's a do-it-yourselfer's dream.

Painted floors are easy to take care of so they're great for pet owners and households with children. Use a slightly damp mop and a little soap to clean it.

A stained faux inlay floor can be a practical and decorative solution to plain hardwood in a dining room. It adds pattern and an old world look that many people are looking for.

Figure C

30-year-old linoleum in a bathroom was painted over instead of pulled up. Its distinctive texture is now a part of the vibrant and revitalized floor, adding an extra dimension to the romantic color scheme of the faux tiles (figure B).

Another flooring option is painting floorcloths, which are a unique way to update a room's look without the commitment and expense of completely redecorating. They offer the same visual interest as an area rug, but without the shag. A damp mop is all that's needed to keep them clean.

Figure D

Make a memorabilia floorcloth to highlight favorite items. Decoupage originals or copies of interesting pieces of paper on heavy canvas, and then apply several coats of polyurethane for years of protection (figure C).

Paint stair risers using stencils to add a colorful accent (figure D). They create visual interest and can continue the color scheme of a room.

red painted kitchen floor with tea motif, African mud print hall and handpainted floorcloths
Lucille Krasne

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Guests
- Alix Rockwell Jacobs
  Decorative Painter
  Email: alixjacobs@aol.com
- Lucille Krasne
  Decorative Artist
  Website: www.lucillesdesigns.com