Most of the rather large third floor is going to become my studio, where I will have space to paint and work in other art media. This can often be a messy process, with a significant amount of paint ending up on the floor.
This is only an issue because there is the distinct possibility that this room may eventually become a bedroom. If that is the case, I don't want the floor to be covered with tons of paint. I'd considered just covering the floor with the carpet that we pull up elsewhere in the house, but the carpet is likely too porous. I've also considered laying down utility grade flooring over the existing hardwood, but this would create issues at the doorways. The final and most likely choice is some sort of linoleum, but I don't exactly feel comfortable with that, either.
I'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas on the subject.
7 comments:
What about a semi-permanent dropcloth?
Admit that it won't be pretty, or necessarily period appropriate, and just go for it. Heavy-duty plastic or cheap sheet linoleum (though this does come in some not-hideous patterns), run edge-to-edge. By the time you get furniture on it (or maybe gently tack down the edges), it should stay stationary... When you're done/want to turn the room into a bedroom, just roll up and dispose of (or move to the new studio space).
Or: if you want the option to make it look nice intermittently, do whatever finish flooring you want (hardwood?). *Then* put the linoleum down over it, just in a size that you could roll up and stash in a closet when you're having company/showing off the house.
Or x2: put down the sheeting/linoleum and use a canvas drop cloth over top, fastened securely at the edges. That'd give you something a little softer to walk on (and the option for making the drop cloth decorative, like a rug), but still have the water/paint-proof layer underneath.
You could always paint yourself a room sized floorcloth. Finish it off with a couple of coats of flexible poly and you won't have to worry about the paint and hey, floorcloths were the early laminate/vinyl when people had dirt floors.
I'm with anonymous, the painted floor cloth would probably be your best bet. Then it could also be part of your decor - a neat design that makes it more YOUR space, more personalized. What a great space for a studio!
we have moved alot! Navy housing USUALLY has no carpet. they usually have some sort of cheap terrazzo, linoleum or if it's REALLY nice actual wood. But we always get berber style carpet from some place like Lowes and lay it down in the main areas. It's cheap, we did the livingroom, diningroom, bedroom and both halls for $300 roughly. We cut it to fit then use the iron on edging at the exposed parts by doorways. We don't put a pad down or adhear it in anyway, it always stays put and when it's time to move there is nothing on the floor that needs to be rapaired so we don't get charged for damages.
I like the idea of a floor cloth.
It's not something I'd heard of before (or at least not something that I recall). I don't think I'd go for the level of finish most of them have, but a single solid color, with some additional abstract elements would work quite well. Thanks!
The big question now is as to whether I can purchase canvas of sufficient width to do this or whether it would require stitching multiple sections together. Of course, I could have a couple sections, but that seems like more trouble than I want, as I'd be concerned about leaks at the point of overlap.
It seems that a trip to the Canvas Specialty Mfg. Co., at 4045 St. Clair, is in order. They kept me supplied with canvas for painting at great prices for years.
While I like the idea of a floorcloth, I wonder whether it would move and shift under your feet.
What about real linoleum - the kind made from natural materials, instead of the vinyl flooring that most folks mistakenly call "linoleum"? It's authentic enough that a lot of people with 1920s houses search it out for restoration (usually kitchens and bathrooms, obviously, but I think it could work here too).
Whatever you do, don't use self-stick 12"x12" vinyl tiles. I wish I had been able to give that advice to whoever tiled our entryway, because it was a nightmare to tear up (http://1402division.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/enter-at-will/)
Jason,
12x12 vinyl? What do you take me for, some kind of heathen?
While I like the idea of real linoleum, it's (probably) outside my budget for this project. I'm not so concerned about appearance as I am about effectiveness, price, and reversability - this stuff will be covered with paint splatters before too long, so appearance isn't too high on the priority list, so long as it doesn't look awful.
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