Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - Floorcloth on the stairs

Hiya--I'm planning on painting a floorcloth and putting it on the stairs, rather than continuing my living room wall-to-wall on the stairs. Is there anything special I need to keep in mind when using a floorcloth on stairs rather than on the floor?

Thanks--

Shelley

Now I have been around floorcoverings awhile, but I have a feeling I'm fixing to learn something! I love education!

Now, I said I've been around floorcoverings sometime, but I have never heard of a "floorcloth"

May be I have another name for it.

Please, educate me!

Oh, boy! It's so rare for me to know something about decorating that the rest of the world doesn't know already! Floorcloths became popular in the 1700's as a poor man's substitute for carpet. These days, you buy whatever length of canvas (my choice)(linoleum can also be used, I'm told) at an art supply or hobby store. You put on a good covering of gesso as your primer (or just buy the canvas already primed). Then paint on whatever design you want. Then you apply 5-6 coats of a clear protector. Voila -- a rug of your own design! There are a number of books out (inexpensive paperbacks, too) on the subject, with lots of samples of rugs various people have made. Amazon has several--look under "floor cloths". I began to see floor cloths a couple of years ago at some of the larger, national art fairs/shows (e.g., ACC show) and was intriqued. Now I'm ready to try one myself, as a cheaper, more interesting addition than a continuation of my wall-to-wall) to my redecorating plans.

Best,
Shelley