Old Dog, New Trick
From my Pinterest feed, source of all things noteworthy:
Trend Alert: Grasscloth Wallpaper
I can’t help feeling that’s an oxymoron, and a little misleading. Surely the words “trend” and “grasscloth” do not belong in the same sentence? In the design vernacular - actually in any vernacular - “trend” implies “fleeting.” In fact, grasscloth is precisely the opposite of fleeting. It has never not been in style. (Don’t judge on the double-negative. Or, if you didn’t catch the double-negative, enjoy that bliss.)
Perhaps - no, definitely - this boils down to lexicon. Words have become shape-shifters, haven’t they, since the advent of social media? Sometimes, though, like when you’re trend-spotting, it’s important to get the words right. Accuracy matters. To wit: grasscloth might be trending, but it is not trendy. In short, grasscloth is an old dog; a reliable, loyal, well-bred old dog, showing off a few new tricks.
New Traditional
Dining Room
Grasscloth wallpaper trimmed in blue feels simultaneously classic and fresh.
Studio McGee
As long as paper has been around, it has been decoratively adhered to walls. The Chinese, according to experts, bedecked their walls in rice paper as early as 200BC. The English, late to the idea but ever keen to good design, birthed printed wallpaper circa 1500AD, thereby cementing yet another English staple into design perpetuity.
Grasscloth, though certainly wallpaper, is a different beast. Its design, installation, and maintenance differ drastically from printed wallpaper, as does its design aesthetic. It’s exactly what it sounds like, actually. The Wallpaper Warehouse blog explains, “…grass cloth wallpaper is made of natural materials like hemp, arrowroot, jute, reed or sea grass. Thin cotton thread is knit together with the material of choice, then it’s adhered to a backing typically made of delicate rice paper.”
Precisely because of its organic base and construction, grasscloth adds life and texture. Interpret: warmth. Layers of texture feel like a big hug from a room. I’m a fan. There are, however, several need-to-knows about grasscloth before you commit.
This is a biggy: grasscloth seams do not match like traditional printed papers. This is not an issue, and actually adds to the interest of the texture. But, if you’re at all OCD, stick with a thinner weave to minimize the unmatched seams.
Grasscloth does not come pre-pasted. You’ll need wallpaper adhesive, which is really not a big deal. I use some I picked up at Home Depot that goes on white and dries clear. Easy peasy.
You can’t wipe it down, so use grasscloth where little (or big) fingers can’t dirty it up. You’ll have to vacuum it if it gets excessively dusty (I’ve never done this) so, again, if you’re super OCD, maybe skip it.
These things are not deterrents for me. I seriously love this look so much, I am currently shopping for grasscloth to install in a third home. I actually installed the same paper in the last two homes, and it’s a top contender this time around as well.
Farmhouse Office
Grasscloth made my bright office warm and interesting.
There are varying weaves of grasscloth; therefore, it runs the gamut from snappy casual to highly formal, with thicker weaves generally feeling more casual and thinner weaves more subtle. Nowadays it comes in tons of colors, and even prints. (Nowadays? Maybe I’m an old dog.) I recently saw a trellis-printed grasscloth in a sitcom living room of all places, and I didn’t hate it.
I said all that to say this: grasscloth is not a trend. In fact, it is a classic design choice, with a variety of applications and deep historical roots. It’s being used in unexpected ways; on ceilings and in powder rooms, for example. It’s never out of style, and happily, it’s having a moment. Apparently you can teach an old dog a new trick.
Old Dog,
New Trick
Grasscloth peeps unexpectedly through glass cabinetry in this all-white kitchen, providing subtle contrast and warmth.
Studio McGee
Curious? Here’s a terrific post by Jana Donohoe on selecting and installing grasscloth. Wallpaper Warehouse has a nice selection of affordable grasscloths and papers. All pictures of rooms on this post are from the incomparable Studio McGee.