![image [Joe's floorcloth]](http://www.sparkzy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/floorcloth.jpg "image [Joe's floorcloth]")
A rug can provide a haven, from the playa, for your feet; reduce dust (ha!) in your shade shelter; and introduce visual interest in your camp. However, a rug can also be hard to transport; a magnet for dust; and nearly impossible to manage when wet, muddy, and heavy.
Make a floorcloth instead. Floorcloth history dates back to the early 1400’s. It’s a painted canvas or oilcloth that you use instead of a rug. The image to the right is a floorcloth that my partner Joe created in 2001.
Simple steps for making a floorcloth:
- Sketch out a rough scale drawing of what you would like to create
- Go to the big-box D.I.Y. home store and buy a canvas drop cloth and several cans of colorful spray paint
- Cut several stencils out of manilla folder material, old cereal boxes, or thin cardboard
- Using the stencils and spraypaint, create your floorcloth
Outside the box ideas:
- Dye the canvas first (tie dye?)
- Layer the spray painted images
- Hem the edges
- Install grommets along the edge so the floorcloth can be staked to the playa
If you create a floorcloth/playacloth, send me a photo. I’d love to see what other people come up with.
One Comment
I mention that a rug can both reduce dust and be a magnet for dust…
What I meant is that a rug will cover up a spot of playa in your shade shelter. That will reduce dust. But as the week goes on, the rug will become saturated with dust. If you’re bringing a vacuum cleaner to the playa, this might not be a problem. Still, a rug can be difficult to clean after you get home.