Grasscloth Dining Room
Considering grasscloth wallpaper? Here are 9 things you should know
"Get close to grass and you'll see a star"
Authentic grasscloth wallpaper is luxurious, sophisticated and timeless. Previously a regular fixture of interiors in the 1970s, grasscloth is growing in popularity again. Being crafted from natural materials, and handmade by skilful craftsmen, it is both an eco-friendly and on-trend choice of wall covering. However, it is also more expensive, harder to install and takes more upkeep, than conventional (or faux grasscloth) wallpapers.
In this guide, we walk through 9 key things you should know, before committing to real grasscloth wallpaper.
1. Authentic grasscloth wallpaper comes at a price
Grasscloth wallpaper brings a sumptuous, yet natural aesthetic, to an interior and as such, is perfect if you want to incorporate some eco-friendly luxury into your home. Most commonly constructed from hemp, jute, arrowroot, bamboo, raffia, reeds, and sea grass, much of the world's grasscloth wallpaper is handmade in Asia.
Image credit: Hallway with grey grasscloth wallpaper, designed by Greg Natale
The natural fibres are woven together by hand (often on a loom), using thin cotton threads, meticulously adhered to a thin, rice paper backing. Whilst this process no doubt gives grasscloth wallpaper its distinctive, earthly aesthetic, the labour intensive nature of the product is also reflected in its price tag. Indeed, one roll of authentic grasscloth wallpaper in the UK costs on average anywhere between £100 and £300, so it is unsurprising that this kind of wall covering is most often found in more luxurious homes and high-end hotels.
Image credit: Monochrome dining room with grey grasscloth wallpaper. (Source unknown, via Pinterest)
2. Grasscloth wallpaper is imperfectly perfect
Every roll of grasscloth wallpaper will be different, with its own distinctive pattern and texture. The fibres will vary in size and shade between rolls (even when bought from the same batch, in the same colour and pattern). These inconsistencies are not defects in the product, but rather a function of the manual production process and the natural materials from which it is constructed (with the dye taking unevenly, depending on the fibres).
The inconsistencies in both texture and colour mean that it will be possible to distinguish between each strip of wallpaper when it is on the wall and the seams between strips will also be subtly visible. If you prefer strict uniformity, traditional wallpaper may be a safer choice.
Image credit: Family home of celebrity interior designer Darren Palmer. Grey grasscloth wallpaper from Boyd Blue.
Image credit: Juno Beach, Florida home designed by Stacy Szuhy of Blue Ladder Studio, featuring vibrant turquoise grasscloth wallpaper
3. Grasscloth wallpaper has an earthy scent
Grasscloth wallpaper has the subtle smell of grass. This natural and earthy scent will fade with time and is, for many, part of the appeal of authentic grasscloth. Whilst not an overpowering smell, it is worth bearing in mind when considering whether grasscloth wallpaper is the right choice for you.
4. Grasscloth wallpaper tears and scratches easily
Grasscloth wallpaper is also very delicate. It is far more prone to ripping and tearing, and it scratches more easily, than traditional wallpaper. Its texture (and grassy scent) also make it a very attractive scratching post for cats. For this reason, think carefully before placing grasscloth wallpaper in a hallway or entrance (where it may receive knocks from passersby or furniture) or in a room where small children or pets are likely to paw at it.
Instead, consider using grasscloth in a bedroom or on a single wall as a focal point. You could also install grasscloth wallpaper above chair rail moulding or wainscoting (rather than down the full height of the room), to keep it out of reach of little hands and claws.
Image credit: Colourful interior decorated with vibrant blue grasscloth wallpaper. (Pinterest, source unknown)
Image credit: Modern dining room with grey grasscloth wallpaper and statement wall art. (Source unknown, via Pinterest)
Image credit: Black grasscloth wallpaper. (Pinterest, source unknown)
5. Grasscloth wallpaper stains easily
Grasscloth wallpaper is also very absorbent and that makes it prone to staining. Most substances and liquids (including water) will leave a mark on it, meaning that it is harder to clean than traditional wall coverings, which can typically be wiped with a damp cloth.
As such, think carefully before installing it in a kitchen, bathroom or powder room or, if you have small children who like to draw on your walls (!), in a room - or at a height - they can access.
If you are keen to use grasscloth wallpaper in a kitchen, bathroom or water closet though, there are several precautionary measures you can take. These include placing the wallpaper high up on the wall (so that errant splashes and splatters won't reach it) and installing a powerful extractor fan (to minimise damp and steam settling on the wallpaper too long). Be careful also to ensure that the wallpaper is not in contact with any plumbing fixtures.
Image credit: Bathroom with black grasscloth wallpaper, designed by Taylor Anne Interiors
Image credit: Powder room with black grasscloth wallpaper above the sink. (Pinterest, source unknown)
6. Grasscloth wallpaper absorbs smells
As a natural material, grasscloth wallpaper is porous, so in addition to liquids, it absorbs and holds scents. Give some thought to your lifestyle when deciding where, or indeed whether, to install grasscloth wallpaper in your space. The smell of tobacco and strong food odours, such as fish, cooking fats, spices and fried food, will linger on the walls. In this respect, grasscloth wallpaper can be likened to having fabric drapes that cannot be taken out periodically and cleaned.
7. Grasscloth wallpaper can trigger allergies
As we mentioned, grasscloth is made from natural materials, including arrowroot, seagrass and reed. If you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies, faux grasscloth wallpaper may be a better choice.
Image credit: Grey grasscloth wallpaper in a light and airy hallway. (Pinterest, source unknown)
8. Grasscloth wallpaper is sensitive to sunlight
As a natural, untreated material, grasscloth wallpaper is more sensitive to the sunlight than traditional coverings. This is particularly true of grasscloth wallpapers in darker colours. If exposed to direct sunlight, the wallpaper will fade and bleach out with time.
As such, consider installing the wallpaper in an interior room in the house that gets less natural light or one with blackout blinds or curtains, that can be drawn during the day. Alternatively, you may prefer to extend the life of your grasscloth wallpaper by investing in additional window treatments, such as the installation on the glass of a clear UV ray filtering film.
9. Grasscloth wallpaper requires professional installation
Installing natural grasscloth wallpaper can be a complicated, expensive and time-consuming process, requiring specialised expertise and tools. We recommend hiring a professional paper hanger, who has experience with this particular kind of wall covering.
In particular, the walls will need more preparation than when dealing with traditional or faux grasscloth wallpaper. Depending on the age of the wall and plaster, the wall should ideally be sealed with an acrylic pigmented primer. This will prevent leakage from moisture that is already in the wall from discolouring the grasscloth. You should also think about painting the underlying liner the same colour as your grasscloth. This is because grasscloth expands and contracts, depending on moisture levels in your interior. Painting the liner minimises the risk that the white liner paper will show through the seams, if this happens.
The fact that grasscloth expands when wet also makes it harder to install than traditional or faux grasscloth wallpaper. Professionals experienced with grasscloth may choose to lightly wet the back of the sheets with water beforehand, to allow it to expand in advance, avoiding air bubbles forming on the wall and large sections of the paper needing to be smoothed out and readjusted later - which can be especially tricky, as grasscloth is so prone to tearing.
Imsge credit: Grey grasscloth wallpaper sits above a chair rail. (Pinterest, source unknown)
Image credit: Grey grasscloth wallpaper above fitted cabinets (Pinterest, source unknown)
Image credit: Bathroom decorated with pale pink grasscloth wallpaper. (Pinterest, source unknown)
Be careful to use the right kind of adhesive. Grasscloth is fragile, so test the glue on a small section of the paper first to make sure that it does not leak and show through the front. When installing traditional wallpaper, any glue that is spilt or smudged on the front of the wallpaper can usually be wiped off fairly easily and without any lasting damage. That is not the case with grasscloth, where errant glue is likely to leave a mark. Given the ease with which grasscloth wallpaper can be stained or torn during installation, it is always best to buy at least two more rolls than you need.
Finally, minimising the appearance of seams is paramount to avoid a segmented and disjointed effect. We recommend measuring the room from the centre outwards and producing a diagram of the seam placement in advance. The aim is to minimise the number of seams and avoid any errant skinny strips, which will look out of place and particularly obvious, given the visible seams and natural variations in colour between the different sheets of grasscloth.
Concluding thoughts...
So, should you opt for real or faux grasscloth wallpaper? Whilst the real deal is more expensive, harder to install and requires more maintenance, it also brings a beautifully natural and opulent look, feel and scent to your space that simply cannot be replicated with traditional or even faux grasscloth (although the false varieties are admittedly increasingly convincing). Whether real or faux grasscloth wallpaper is best for you will depend on your budget, the time you have to install it, your style preferences and your lifestyle.
Join us…
Did you enjoy our post? Follow us on social media and join our mailing list for more design inspiration, tips and advice.
Source: https://www.hausporta.com/blog/considering-grasscloth-wallpaper-here-are-9-things-you-should-know
0 Komentar