Linoleum needed!

[peter-300]

Hi,

I am trying to restore my Victorian cottage (it is already looking quite a museum) and I am on the last room to decorate. Most of my floors on the ground floor are either quarry tiles or wooden floors but this living room has a concrete floor (how annoying!).

I hate fitted carpets and can't face digging up the concrete and starting again. I noticed that in many museum that lino was quite fashionable with large mats during the Victorian period even in living rooms of cottages.

However, I can't find any authentic old designs (they often looked like wallpaper, tiles or parquet flooring) for sale. Does anyone know where I can get it from!!! I am desperate any advice appreciated!

Thanks,

Peter

 

[JW]

maybe here?

http://www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/Default.aspx?MenuId=747/

 

[Penners]

http://www.archinet.co.uk/uk-linoleum-suppliers.asp

Or another page on the website that peter-300 has suggested: http://www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/Default.aspx?MenuId=1257. Marmoleum is a modern equivalent of linoleum.

 

[alice]

Here's a link I have in my bookmarks. The source is American, but I thought you might like to look at the patterns to see what were used.

http://www.secondhandrose.com/linol/main.htm

Also, have you thought of encaustic tiles?

http://www.tile-source.com/supply.htm


alice

 

[peter-300]

Many thanks for your comments, unfortunately these suppliers only appear to sell modern versions that look more suitable for offices and minimalist homes.

It is frustrating that you cannot get these old designs anymore, I suppose there isn't much call for it except for eccentrics like me and museums. Hence, I have contacted Beamish MUsuem to find out where they have got their floor coverings from.

Alice - that America link was useful and many of the designs are the type of thing that I am looking for. However, these appear to be mats rather than overall flooring and are likely to be extemely expensive are they are genuine old rugs. I don't want to go down the encaustic tile route as it is a cottage so is not in keeping. I would like quarry tiles but they are thick and I do not want to create a step as you go into the room.

If anyone else has got any other ideas it would be much appreciated!!!

 

[alice]

From what I saw on the web, patterned linoleum (roses, trellis, etc) isn't made anymore. There are marble patterns in quite a few colors made by Forbo, Tackett, and Marmoleum that can be pieced together to make designs. I wonder if they'll make a custom order if you provide the pattern?

Here's a book that I saw and looked interesting. It has sources listed in the description, but the Amazon reader didn't show that page (No free reading on Amazon!)

Linoleum by Jane Powell

This is an interesting riddle. When I redo my kitchen in my 1880-1890 terrace I was thinking of encaustic tiles for the floor. Linoleum would work, but like you, I don't want a modern look.

alice