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
  copywrite 2009 The Oregonian. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
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• American Bungalow, “New & Noteworthy” Winter, 2008
  -Click here to go to article.
• Old-House Interiors, “A Personal Journey to Portland” June, 2008
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• The Oregonian, “Walk-on role” November, 2007
• San Francisco Chronicle, “Floorcloths Making a Comeback” December, 2005
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• 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
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• Quilter’s Home, “New Stuff” August, 2006
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• Financial Times, Weekend Edition “Stepping out for art under foot” May 27, 2006
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• Early American Life, “Masterpieces that Warm Your Feet” April, 2006
• Old-House Interiors, Early Homes Edition, “For the Early Home” Spring, 2006
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• Old-House Interiors, “Concrete Potential” February/March, 2006
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• Fine Furnishings International, Editor’s Picks, January/February, 2006
  
• Furniture Style, “For All Seasons” January, 2006
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• Pacific Sun, “Trends Underfoot” December, 2005
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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

Portland Expo Antique & Collectibles Show
July 11: 9AM - 6PM; July 12: 10AM - 5PM
Booth I-25
Please visit Palmer/Wirfs Website for information about the show which has more than 1400 booths filled with everything from estate jewelry, furniture from early American oak to European, china & glass and much more. Gracewood Design will be located in booth I-25 and will have floorcloths in many styles on display and available for sale. If you are interested in receiving a coupon for $2 off admission on Sunday, please contact us.

Portland Open Studios
October 10 & 11 and October 17 & 18 from 10AM to 5PM
Please visit Portland Open Studios Website for information about the 10th anniversary of Portland Open Studios.

Gracewood Design will have our studio at 6107 NE 32nd Place, Portland, 97211, open both weekends and will have floorcloths in many styles on display and available for sale. We will also demonstrate floorcloth making throughout both weekends.

Links

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

• MB Historic Decor: Early American wall and floor stencils.
• 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.