The Victorian Belle, built in 1885, was a marvel of modern amenities. It was one of the first houses in Portland, Oregon, to have running hot and cold water, central heating, interior electricity and a windmill-powered water pump. Since the 1990s, it has been operated as a wedding and event venue. On the National Register of Historic Places, the house and its surroundings are a stunning example of Victorian era construction, decoration and landscaping. In 2020, during the pandemic induced lull in events, the Belle was renovated, inside and out, in a meticulously executed, historically faithful fashion.
Ariel Grace Design specializes in custom floorcloths - hand-painted, canvas based rugs – that preceded linoleum as a popular form of floorcovering and were at the height of their popularity in the 1700 and 1800s. The advent of linoleum, patented in 1864, which was less expensive to produce, wiped out the nascent floorcloth production being established in America. Today, floorcloths are becoming a more prevalent form of floorcovering due to their practicality and versatility. A number of companies in the US and around the world are producing printed, vinyl floorcloths and artisans are making traditional canvas-based floorcloths. Ariel Grace Design endeavors to create heirloom quality floorcloths using proven construction methods that result in remarkably durable rugs that are beautiful and unique.
Ariel Grace Design created a custom floorcloth for the Dining Room at the Belle.
The floorcloth design is based on a ceiling pattern from an 1889 Robert Graves Co. wallpaper catalog from Bolling & Company’s archive. The pattern was adapted to stencils. The floorcloth substrate is a #4 cotton duck – a heavy, industrial-grade pure cotton canvas. Two layers of gesso and four layers of paint have been applied to the top side, and then the design was carefully laid out and stenciled using custom-mixed acrylic gouache. Five layers of polyurethane were sprayed on top of the design, and then a layer of wax was applied. The floorcloth has a two-inch, glued hem and a layer of carpet padding applied to the backside which was then covered with a layer of water-proof vinyl. The floorcloth will last for decades.
The floorcloth palette is drawn from room appointments including the green and gold tiled fireplace. The size and shape of the floorcloth is intended to provide optimal protection for the lovely, original, wood floors. The floorcloth won’t stain if wine or other liquids are spilled on it and is very easy to keep clean via a vacuum cleaner and damp mop.
For your wedding and event needs, please visit victorianbelle.com.
To learn more about floorcloths, please visit arielgracedesign.com.
