Gracewood Design is a collaboration between Gwenith Grace Jones and Kenneth Wood Forcier. Collectively, we have decades of stenciling and stencil design experience. Ken is the son of Polly Forcier, a well known researcher of Early American stencil design. For 30 years, Polly has been amassing a collection of over 450 authentic wall and floor stencils from the Early American period, circa 1740-1840. These stencils can be purchased from Polly’s company, MB Historic Decor. Gracewood Design uses many of these stencils in the work found in our Early American Floorcloth Collection. We also create our own stencils.

Gracewood Design formed in 2004, initially as part of MB Historic Decor. In early 2005 we created this separate company due to the expansion of our design focus to new influences such as Art Deco, Arts & Crafts and others.

We are constantly challenging ourselves to improve the artistry of our work and we are ever evolving the process of how we make our products, be they floorcloths or custom floors, to ensure maximum durability.

Press

• Old-House Interiors, “Furnishings” February, 2009
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Homes+Gardens Northwest, “Couple puts lost art of canvas rugs at your feet” January, 2009
  -Click here to go to article.
• American Bungalow, “New & Noteworthy” Winter, 2008
• Old-House Interiors, “A Personal Journey to Portland” June, 2008
  -Click here to download PDF.
• The Oregonian, “Walk-on role” November, 2007
• San Francisco Chronicle, “Floorcloths Making a Comeback” December, 2005
  -Click here to go to article.
• Creative Homeowner, “Design Ideas for Flooring” Joseph R. Provey, October, 2006
  Available at Amazon. See page 182 for three custom floorcloths by Gracewood Design.
  -Click here to download PDF.
• The Crafts Report, “Craft Insight: Decorative Fiber” August, 2006
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Quilter’s Home, “New Stuff” August, 2006
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Financial Times, Weekend Edition “Stepping out for art under foot” May 27, 2006
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Early American Life, “Masterpieces that Warm Your Feet” April, 2006
• Old-House Interiors, Early Homes Edition, “For the Early Home” Spring, 2006
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Old-House Interiors, “Concrete Potential” February/March, 2006
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Fine Furnishings International, Editor’s Picks, January/February, 2006
  
• Furniture Style, “For All Seasons” January, 2006
  -Click here to download PDF.
• Pacific Sun, “Trends Underfoot” December, 2005
  -Click here to download PDF.

TV

• Bob Vila’s Home Again Show, “Modern Colonial Project” 2003
  Interior Craftwork Episode and Interior Design Project Continued.
  Wall stenciling and Rufus Porter style mural by Ken Forcier and Polly Forcier.

Events

Gracewood Design Artist Exhibition
Architectural Heritage Center
701 SE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
503-231-7264

Opening Reception: Friday, February 5, 2010, 6-8pm.
On display through February 28th. Open Wed – Sat 10AM – 4:30PM

We will have numerous works on display including many new Batik and Contemporary floorcloths.

Antique & Collectible Show
Portland Expo Center
March 6, 9-6
March 7, 10-5
Booth # H59

We will have a large variety of floorcloths in various sizes and styles available at the show.

Links

Here is a listing of links to sites with relevance to Gracewood Design:

• MB Historic Decor: Early American wall and floor stencils.
• Architectural Heritage Center: The Architectural Heritage Center is a non-profit resource center for historic preservation, located in Portland, Oregon.
• Portland Open Studios: Annually, during the second and third weekend in October, 100 juried artists in the Portland area open us their studios to the public.
• Old House Interiors: Monthly magazine focusing on interior design for classic homes.
• Style 1900 Magazine: Style 1900 is a quarterly magazine exploring the antiques, architecture, philosophy and personalities of the Arts & Crafts movement in America and abroad.
• 1890 Bryant Street Studios: A vibrant new center for fine art and craft in San Francisco, and our former studio location.
• Surface Design: Association devoted to textile design.
• Artistic License: Professional period revival artisans serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1982.
• The Restored Homestead: Finds, purchases, restores and sells historic homesteads in the New England Area.
• Allen’s Canvas: Artist Canvas for painting, murals, floorcloths, photo backdrops, and more.
• Dick Blick Art Materials: High quality art materials.
• Andrew Galli: Site Logo and graphic design.
• Aldosoft: Site Catalog and commerce programming.
• MyInteriorDecorator.com – Interior decorating ideas, tips, tricks, and advice for decorating your home.
• The Crafts Report – A business magazine for the crafts professional.
• Quilter’s Home – A magazine for quilting enthusiasts.
• Home Decoratation Directory – A source for home decoration resources.