Poor Linoleum. This flooring material hung out with some questionable characters back in the 1970s-like burnt orange and psychedelic tile patterns-and got a bad rep that it can't quite shake. It's also been a tragic victim of mistaken identity, confused with vinyl flooring-a synthetic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based product. The truth is, Linoleum is not tacky, it's not plastic, and there are good reasons this smooth, durable product has been used as a floor covering for over 100 years. Linoleum's primary ingredients-including linseed oil, pine rosin, sawdust, natural pigments, and jute-are natural and renewable. It is also practical and easy to clean, and it can be quite attractive. On the negative side, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in linseed oil offgas and can degrade indoor air quality, although are less than hazardous petroleum-derived VOCs. Overall, this is one dated style worth reviving. Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?

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