The short answer
A grasscloth project in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea runs from sampling and measuring through ordering, acclimating the rolls, wall prep and a careful install. Planning for longer shipping times and keeping the room cool and dry are the two things homeowners can do to help the most.
Grasscloth suits the easygoing character of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Its woven texture echoes rattan furniture, linen upholstery and sun-bleached wood, and it adds warmth to rooms that might otherwise feel cool and tiled. It also has a reputation for being finicky, which is fair: it stains if paste gets on the face, it shows seams, and its color shifts from roll to roll. Creative Wallpaper Installer is based in Pompano Beach, about seven miles north, and we install grasscloth in condos and houses throughout this beach town. Here is a practical timeline of a grasscloth project, from samples to the last trim cut, with tips on what you can do to help it go smoothly.
Step one: sampling in your own light
Grasscloth looks different in every room, and coastal light is bright and changeable. Order samples of a few options and tape them to the wall where they will go. Look at them in the morning, at midday and under lamps at night. Beige may turn gray, and green may turn yellow, depending on what is around it.
We can look at the samples with you during a measuring visit and point out practical differences between weaves: tighter sisal is more consistent, while seagrass and arrowroot have more variation and visible texture.
It is also worth deciding early whether you want real fiber at all. Printed vinyl alternatives have improved a lot and can be a sensible choice for a bathroom, a kitchen or a rental unit that sees sandy feet and wet towels. Many homes end up with genuine grasscloth in a bedroom or den and a faux version in the wetter rooms, which keeps the look consistent throughout.
Step two: measuring and ordering
We measure the room and calculate how many rolls you need. Grasscloth often comes in wider widths or double rolls, and because panels must be sequenced to manage color variation, it typically requires a bit more material than a printed paper. Order everything from the same production lot, plus a spare roll for future repairs.
Lead times for natural fiber can be longer than for printed papers, sometimes several weeks. Plan your schedule around delivery rather than booking an install date first.
Step three: acclimating the rolls
When the rolls arrive, keep them in a cool, air-conditioned room, flat and in their packaging. Do not leave them in a garage, a hot car or a storage unit. Natural fiber absorbs moisture from humid air, and in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea that can make the backing swell or curl. Giving the material a day or two in the room where it will hang helps it settle.
Step four: wall preparation
Grasscloth will not hide much. We repair holes, sand down ridges and smooth any texture. Many older homes in this area have block walls with a plaster finish or textured paint, which may need skim coating to get flat. Then we apply a pigmented primer close to the backing's color, so any open areas in the weave do not show a bright white wall behind them.
This is also when we look for signs of moisture, especially on exterior walls. Grasscloth over a damp wall will stain and lift, so any problem needs attention first.
Step five: installation
Before cutting, we unroll and compare every roll in the room's light and number them in the order they will hang. Panels are pasted one at a time, booked for the time the manufacturer specifies, and hung with a soft brush. Each seam is butted tight. We keep paste off the face at all times, because a smear on natural fiber leaves a permanent mark.
Cutouts for outlets and switches are made carefully so the cover plates sit flat. Trim at the ceiling and baseboard is made with a new blade for each cut. Most rooms take a day or two.
- Clear the room of furniture where possible, or move it to the center.
- Take down art, mirrors and shelving from the walls being papered.
- Keep pets out of the room while paste is wet.
- Leave the AC on and the room at a steady temperature during and after installation.
After the install
Dust grasscloth occasionally with a soft brush attachment and avoid water. Keep spray bottles, plants and humidifiers away from the walls. During hurricane season, if the house is shuttered or loses power for a while, check the seams afterward; a small lift can be re-adhered if caught early. We also install grasscloth for homeowners in Oakland Park, Wilton Manors and Hillsboro Beach.
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