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Blue grass cloth wallpaper gone wrong?

2 years ago

Just in the final stages of a reno and thought this would be the easiest component. I chose a natural blue grass cloth wallpaper to go in the Master Bedroom wall behind the bed.

See pics below.

I get that seams are to be expected. I find that the seams aren’t cut smoothly against each other and there is the shredding at the edges.

The installers said the paper was extremely difficult to work with and not a good quality. When I bought it, it was an in stock popular product that was highly recommended. I’ve asked my contractor to review in person and determine best path forward.

I suspect my options are:

(1) Tear up and re-do - requires refinishing wall. I don’t have a whole lot of confidence it will be done better.

(2) Select a different wallpaper and apply on top?

(3) other options???

Is this my issue because of the product I chose? How would this be rectified in a best case scenario?

Looking for any guidance offered!

Featured Answer

jkent9024

2 years ago

"The edges of your rolls of grasscloth should be trimmed in order to have the most seamless seams! Why? The way that all wallpaper is machine-cut is great for regular wallpaper but leaves some subtle fraying on the edges of grasscloth wallpaper. Using a straight edge and sharp razor to cut 1/2″ to 1″ off of both the left and right side of each strip of wallpaper will make it sharp and clean so that when you butt it up against another strip of wallpaper you’ll have a smooth seam." Quoted from https://www.drivenbydecor.com/grasscloth-wallpaper-hanging-how-to-tips/

I'm questioning your installer's experience with grasscloth. It's notoriously difficult to hang and can't be treated the same way as regular wallpaper. Your edges should obviously have been trimmed, because of the fraying and the faded dye on the edges that make the seams look worse.

As to solving your dilemma, covering it with a different wallpaper over top is a bad idea. I think your choices are to live with it, or to tear it off and start over.

I've also seen grasscloth that has been painted over--it looked nice, but involved a tedious process with oil based primer and several coats of paint. It only changed the color; the texture of the grasscloth was still apparent. It would solve your faded dye problem, but not the fraying at the seams and may open another can of worms. Though it might be worth a try before you tear it all off if that's the option you're leaning towards...

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Comments (6)

SylviaWW 9a Hot dry SoCal
2 years ago
Wish i could help you. I’m thinking of doing something similar behind our bed, and I’m shocked to see how badly this went wrong for you.

Houzz is huge. Somebody’s got to be able to offer advice.
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Paducah Pat
2 years ago
The overhead spotlights 'washing' the wall probably aren't helping. I'd try experimenting with different lighting, such as wall mounted fixtures or even floor lamps with softer indirect lighting on that wall. Don't know what the rest of the room or your decorating style is --- are you planning on artwork or some other decor on that wall? Or is it staying bare? When the rest of your room decor is in place (bedding, window coverings, and such) that will help it fade back.
wicketdog123
Original Author
2 years ago
@jkent9024 - I think you are dead on. Makes sense with the fading on the edges. I also had lots left over which meant that it was intended that the edges get trimmed before installing. At this point, I’m leaning towards a removal and fixing the wall. Will decide on another wallpaper if the contractor plans to send these guys back. This was a costly paper and I don’t want to keep throwing money at it!!!
K Laurence
2 years ago
Years ago i had almost my entire living room & entry done in gtasscloth. it looked beutiful & the seams were almost imperceptible. Maybe an inexperienced installer is the culprit here. Good luck, disappointing for you.
wicketdog123
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you everyone for your input! I now need to have my contractor agree that his installers were inexperienced :(

To add insult to injury, they wallpapered the powder room and I had asked them to REMOVE the light fixture as I have a new one. They still papered around it!!!!

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