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About Us

 

About the artist - Neelam Paralkar

Born in Mumbai, India, I developed a creative spirit and a keen interest in various forms of arts and crafts. As a child, I traveled with my father on his business trips to visit ancient Indian architectural sites. After graduating from high school, I pursued a Bachelor in Fine Arts at Sophia Polytechnic, a school of Bombay University. I studied art history and theory, advertising, and drawing. My family’s exposure to Indian classical music led me to learn the sitar while in college. After graduation, I freelanced for children’s publications for a few years and, after marrying in 1984, moved to the United States.

Neelam
Isaac Buck - Kingsbury Floorcloth

Isaac Buck - Kingsbury Floorcloth
Historic Designs 		While raising my two boys, I volunteered my artistic abilities for some non-profit organizations. When my younger son entered preschool, I took classes in computer graphics. After working for two years as a computer graphic designer for a catalog company, I went back to school to learn web design and computer programming. For two years, I worked for a large telecommunications corporation. Throughout my years of work with computers, I continued to paint on glass, wood, fabric, metal, walls and canvas as an emotional release.
 

 

My background allows me to work with a variety of stylistic influences from historic to modern. My computer graphics skills allow me to create several designs in multiple color combinations with ease. In a given setting, I can visualize the design and the color combination necessary to bring life to a floorcloth. I utilize my skills in web design to continuously maintain the Design Village website.

Design Village has given me the opportunity to channel my artistic passion to bring joy into people’s homes.

Primitive Dutch Tulip Floorcloth

Primitive Dutch Tulip Floorcloth
Primitive Designs 		 
 

Isaac Buck - Sage House Floorcloth

Isaac Buck - Sage House Floorcloth
Floorcloths in Historic Designs

About Design Village
In 1997 after we moved to a new house I wanted to decorate my living room to give it a unique look. I searched for a rug with dark blue and yellow ocher in a wrought iron grill design, to no avail. After months of searching, I decided to try my hand at making a floorcloth – hand-painted canvas rug, a century-old European art which would allow me to create the perfect combination of color and design to match my room’s decor. I was intrigued by the concept of a functional art for the floor.		  
After I made my first beautiful floorcloth, I became passionate about the art. With encouragement from family and friends, I made a few more for other rooms of the house. After extensively studying and practicing the craft, I perfected my technique so that I could produce durable, easily-maintained floorcloths with the desired artistic qualities.
Early American Pineapple Floorcloth
Early American Pineapple Floorcloth
Early American Designs
Humphries Floorcloth

Humphries Floorcloth
Historic Reproduction Floorcloths
 In late 2001, I lost my job as a web designer. This created the opportunity for me to introduce floorcloths to the people. I launched a website, www.floorcloth.net, as the online store for my company, Design Village.

Design Village studio is located near Princeton, NJ.
( Studio is not open to public, sorry! ) For me, operating a home-based studio is a dream come true. From my 1500 sq ft. bright airy basement studio, I created many one of a kind pieces which my customers have cherished.


As evidenced from their feedback, my customers are extremely happy with the quality and craftsmanship of my work. I have contributed my artwork for fund-raisers organized by Princeton Medical Center, the United Way of Central Jersey, and other organizations in the local community.

While I expand the selection and styles in my collection, I continue to improve the durability and workmanship of the products. Dedicating years of painstaking effort and receiving wholehearted support from enthusiastic customers, I shall continue to bring this colorful craft to more homes and museums.

Sage Heart Floorcloth
Historical Design collection

Toile with Plaid Floorcloth

Toile with Plaid Floorcloth
English Country Designs collection

At Design Village we specialize in Early American Historic Designs, French Country Designs, Traditional Quilt Designs, Contemporary Designs, European and Asian Designs. Every Design Village floorcloth is made with heavy duty artist quality cotton canvas which is primed twice on the top once on the back. After painting and decorating with acrylic paints, the canvas is coated with multiple layers scratch resistant, protective material. Every Design Village floorcloth is constructed to provide years of pleasure and holds up to heavy use.

Find out more about construction of Design Village floorcloths.


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