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Craving: Grasscloth Wallpaper

May 21, 2010

There's a half-wall at the end of my kitchen island that gets a lot of use. As you can see, it's the perfect height for guests to lean against and chat, a great place for setting a drink, and it hides my kitchen clutter from the dining table. Problem is, it's painted with the flat paint I prefer, and it's become pretty shabby-looking in its well-used role. Thinking that the space could use a little more textural interest, I decided to cover the half-wall in grasscloth wallpaper. Sounds simpler than it's going to be.

First, there's choosing the grasscloth. The options include many colors, patterns, and sizes of grass or reeds, with or without a sheen. I started with two big sample books from Sherwin-Williams. (They let you check out the books free for four days.) After eliminating anything with a sheen or metallic elements and focusing on the more natural-looking options, I narrowed it down to three and then settled on this one, from the Design by Color collection by Blue Mountain Wallcovering.

Word to the wise: if you want to use grasscloth for a very small project like mine, be prepared to buy much more than you need. I was informed that even though it's priced in single rolls, it's only sold in double rolls. And the stuff isn't cheap. There was a sale at Sherwin-Williams and I got the two rolls for around $70, including shipping directly to my house. I'm going to have a whole lot left over, so now I'm thinking of ways to use more of it. Maybe cover the seating side of the island with it? Bring a little more onto one wall of the dining room? Use it to cover blah-looking storage boxes? Placemats? Endless possibilities.

But we'll see how ambitious I am after hanging it the first time. Grasscloth has its own quirks and variations that can make installation a challenge even for an experienced wallpaper hanger (which I am not). I did find a very helpful and thorough article on how to do it here. There's a lot of good information on this page by Jim Parodi, but be sure to also download the PDF article he links to about 2/3 of the way down the page.

If you aren't bothered by its natural color variations and visible seams, just a touch of this natural material can be a gorgeous way to bring more texture into a room. It's an eco-friendly choice because it's a natural material, made without any petroleum-based materials. There's no off-gassing like there can be with vinyl wallpaper. Here are a few spaces that use grasscloth to beautiful effect. All photos: decorpad.

Here's a classic example of natural, undyed grasscloth wallpaper in a crisp dining room. Notice how it's used only within the niche. A good wallpaper hanger will trim the width to result in evenly sized panels on the wall.

Grasscloth can work just as nicely in a more modern space. It has a cozy effect in bedrooms.

Muted green dyed grasscloth combines with sleek beadboard in this high-ceilinged space.

Its effect need not be subtle. Flame-red grasscloth makes a bold statement in this sunny room.

When a room is tiny, it's best to play up the cozy factor rather than try to "expand" the room using light colors and spare furnishings. Grasscloth is a smart choice for this small reading nook. I would have used it on the ceiling, too, for a real cocooning effect.

To soften the effect of modern furniture in a nursery, grasscloth is applied to all walls and the ceiling.

It comes in patterns, too! The Moroccan motif on this grasscloth is the perfect complement to a sinuous focal mirror in an entryway.

No job is too small for Dwelement. Need help choosing wallpaper, now that it's back in style and removing it is easier than ever? I can help. A one-hour consultation for $60 might be all it takes to relieve your anxiety and finally get all those sample books out of the house. Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: how to hang grasscloth wallpaper wallcovering grass cloth pictures photos inspiration rooms texture interior design decorating help selecting wallpaper

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Craving: Springy Paintings

Apr 27, 2010

It's fun to switch out the decor as the seasons change, and one of the easiest things to swap is artwork. I spent a rainy Sunday afternoon browsing everyone's favorite online source for art direct from the artist: Etsy. Here are a few of my favorite finds to bring a little spring to your rooms. —Diane

Spring Tide by Etsy seller tastesorangey. Original acrylic framed in birch, $95.

Play All Day by Etsy seller urbanalchemyart. Original mixed media beeswax encaustic, $25.

Taylor Spring 2010 The Creek by Etsy seller shaveart. Original oil on canvas, painted en plein air, $1,200.

Nest by Etsy seller lizashleyfineart. 5"x5" archival print, $8.

Sometimes I Act Like Myself by Etsy seller timsebright. Limited edition print, $125.

TAGS: art artwork paintings spring springtime summer inspired original art artists etsy

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Craving: Wake up your windows with colorful curtains!

Apr 12, 2010

An easy way to change the look of a room from season to season is to change the window dressing. Curtains collect a lot of dust anyway, so it's a good idea to wash them every six months or so. If you're going to the work of taking them down anyway, why not switch things up a bit?

Here are five inspiring ideas for waking up your windows with a shot of color and pattern for spring. You don't have to go whole-hog with pattern if that's not your style. There are a lot of ways to showcase just a touch.

Use pattern in small doses. Cafe curtains offer privacy but still let in plenty of light, and their smaller size means that a pattern won't overtake the room.

Another way to get a little shot of pattern is with a border on solid-colored drapes. This catalog shot goes a little overboard in its use of the same fabric throughout the room, but you get the idea.

Another example of standard, inexpensive cotton drapes that are cheaply customized for a designer look. This time patterned fabric is added to the length of shorter curtains with a contrasting border between. Even the sewist with only basic skills can do this project pretty quickly.

Window shades can be customized with a jolt of color with the addition of colorful ribbon ties. Here, the ties are functional, but you could apply this idea to basic roller shades by using fabric glue (I like Unique Stitch) to affix ribbon along the length of the shade. Go bold with a ribbon that's at least 1-1/2" wide.

Jessica of the fun and crafty blog How about Orange jazzed up an inexpensive roller shade with artist's masking tape in her favorite color. Simple.

Have you tried this or any of the other projects I've written about on Room for Inspiration? Send me a photo! —Diane

PHOTOS: 1,3,4: Better Homes & Gardens. 2: Linen, Lace, & Patchwork House. 5: How About Orange.

TAGS: window treatments drapes curtains shades draperies color pattern how to embellish customize designer look ribbon fabric strips

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Craving: Eva Zeisel's New Prints for Room & Board

Mar 31, 2010

I hope I never lose my desire to create. And how's this for an inspiring example of life-long creativity: Eva Zeisel, 103-year-old ceramist and renowned designer of home accessories, has just released a set of beautiful prints for Room & Board. The prints reduce her aesthetic to its essence: simple, curvilinear forms and flat, beautiful color. Lovers' Suite prints, produced in collaboration with Klein Reid, are $299 each at Room & Board, hand-signed and numbered, framed in white aluminum.

Eva Zeisel has been a favorite of collectors for decades, inspiring a devoted fan club that maintains a website all about her and where to buy her prized goods, both vintage and new. There I learned that she has designed a few rugs for The Rug Company. You can find the full range of her current work in all its curvy goodness at Eva Zeisel Originals. I knew I loved her work, but it wasn't until I got lost on the site that I realized some of it is accessible to the collector on a realistic budget. I want the re-issued salt & pepper shakers (pictured left), $40.

In an interview by The Rug Company, Eva states: "Quality means having a purpose forever." I guess that applies to well designed home goods as much as it applies to people themselves. Congratulations on fulfilling your purpose for 103 years, Eva. —Diane

TAGS: eva zeisel designs lovers suite room & board prints the rug company

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Craving: Celtic Designs

Mar 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I didn't want to do the green thing today. I mean, I like the color, but I thought I could do something a little more interesting that still pays homage to the Green Isle. Celtic art and design is filled with intricate ornamentation based on the Celtic knot. Here are a few beautiful ways to bring it into your decor! —Diane

Celtic Isles Knobs by Notting Hill in Antique Pewter, $16. This is a distinctive accent, so you don't have to outfit an entire kitchen or bath with this hardware. Find a simpler coordinating knob at a lower price and let this splurge be an accent.
The Celtic Knot Rug by Sawbridge Studios, $525 and up. An investment piece, to be sure, this 100% New Zealand wool rug is hand-knotted—and really gorgeous!
Celtic Knot Trivet from ShopIrish.com, $22. Keeps that hot corned beef and cabbage from ruining your table.
Celtic Knot Backlit Lamp from Celtic Designs, $149. A real statement accessory at 16" wide.
Abbey Trinity Knot Wall Hanging from O'Donnell's Irish Imports, $22. A common design found in Irish illuminated manuscripts, this 12-inch wall hanging brings a bit of the ancient symbolism into your own sacred space.