Linoleum [Hardcover]

Jane Powell (Author), Linda Svendsen (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 2003

Linoleum is not vinyl!< BR> The word "linoleum" has become a generic term for resilient flooring of all kinds, but it is NOT vinyl. Linoleum is a flooring product made of natural materials, including linseed oil, resins, wood flour, cork, limestone, and jute fabric. This fascinating new book focuses on vintage linoleum; more specifically the marvelous patterns produced from its invention in 1863 until its almost complete eradication in 1960s due to widescale vinyl production. Linoleum is also about the rebirth of authentic linoleum flooring in the past couple of decades, and the hope for a future in which linoleum receives the long overdue respect it has always deserved. < BR> Drawing upon their expertise in restoring and photographing old homes, the authors share the history and evolution of floor coverings generally, and linoleum in particular. With humor and insight, they single out the differing types and patterns of this durable product, discuss its care and maintenance, and list major resilient flooring companies where linoleum can easily be found. This is a must-have collectible book for anyone who ever played with toy cars on grandma's kitchen floor, or arranged their marbles to fit the curious patterns that stretched from corner to corner. < BR> Jane Powell is the proprietor of House Dressing, a business dedicated to renovating and preserving old homes. She is the former president of the historic preservation organization in her hometown of Oakland, California. Her books include Bungalow Kitchens and Bungalow Bathrooms. < BR> Linda Svendsen specializes in architectural interior and exterior photography, and her work has been showcased in Camps and Cottages, Bungalow Kitchens, Bungalow Bathrooms, Old House Journal, Old House Interiors, and Lifestyles Magazine.< BR> (20041201)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Linoleum provides repair tips, showcases old and new patterns, and details the flooring's history " (Renovation Style )

"See just how fabulous vintage flooring can be with Linoleum, a fascinating book by Jane Powell and Linda Svendsen. Decorating examples and information abound in this colorful book." (Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion )

From the Inside Flap

THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT VINYL! Linoleum: a flooring product made of linseed oil, desiccants (which help speed the oxidation of the linseed oil), resins, wood flour, powdered cork, ground limestone, pigments, and jute fabric (burlap). Linoleum is about the rebirth of one of the most wonderful flooring products ever to be created. In spite of the word "linoleum" having become a generic term for resilient flooring, it is not the same material as vinyl. Drawing upon her expertise in restoring old homes, Jane Powell forays into the world of sustainable flooring with Linoleum. With her usual humor, insight, and panache, Powell shares the history and evolvement of floor coverings and linoleum in particular. Paired with fabulous full-color photography, Linoleum includes an array of the different types and patterns of this durable product as well as information on its care and maintenance. Powell also celebrates the wonderful and amazing designs produced in this material from its invention in 1863 until its nearly complete eradication by vinyl in the 1960s to future design possibilities. Complete with a great resource list where you find linoleum today, Linoleum is the best guide to this fabulous, versatile, amazing, and practical flooring material that is also entirely recyclable.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 124 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1 edition (November 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586853031
• ISBN-13: 978-1586853037
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,298 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Floors

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "Linoleum" is Very Disappointing, July 18, 2004

By 

Maninthemoon *50 (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linoleum (Hardcover)

I just renovated my 1949-50 ranch house's kitchen into a retro look from the date the house was built. I ordered "LINOLEUM" with great anticipation. It was totally worthless to me. My expectations may have been too high since I had not seen the book before I ordered it online. So before you order it, make sure you check it out in a bookstore. It made maybe a total of about a page worth of comments on current products. No mention of all on their durability or success in today's real world.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I hoped for, March 22, 2006

By 

L. Mignault (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linoleum (Hardcover)

I was disappointed in this book, not because I was expecting a comprehensive reference work, but because it was so extremely narrow and artificial in scope. I had hoped to see vintage linoleum patterns in vintage rooms. Instead, the focus seemed to be on the rarest and wildest linoleum rugs - most of which were displayed rolled up - and all of which seemed to come from the same store in lower Manhattan. I could have achieved the same effect by visiting the store's website, which shows all the same pictures.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a walk down memory lane, August 24, 2010

By 

savvy shopper - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linoleum (Hardcover)

I'm considering replacing a 50 year old kitchen linoleum tile floor in our 1886 home with a new linoleum tile floor so was interested in seeing all the vintage patterns. An added bonus was seeing the bathroom sink on page 114 that's exactly like one in our home that has a date stamp of 1841. I thoroughly enjoyed the "walk down memory lane" and found the book to be a great value for the price.