The short answer
Grasscloth can work well in Gulf Stream homes when it goes on dry, primed interior walls away from spray and steam. We prep carefully, keep paste off the face, and sequence panels so natural color shifts look even.
Grasscloth suits the relaxed, layered look many oceanfront interiors aim for. Its woven sisal, jute or seagrass surface softens bright rooms and pairs naturally with linen, rattan and weathered wood. It is also a material that reacts to its surroundings, and a house a short walk from the Atlantic is a demanding place for natural fibers. WallEdge Installation works in Gulf Stream, a town about 3 miles south of our Boynton Beach base, and we hang grasscloth with a plan for the salt, sun and humidity that come with coastal living.
Is grasscloth right for an oceanfront home?
The answer depends on the room more than the house. Grasscloth is at home in climate-controlled living rooms, bedrooms, studies and dining rooms. It struggles in rooms where it gets wet or where the air swings between muggy and dry, such as pool baths, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and rooms with doors left open to the deck.
Seasonal homes need extra thought. If the house sits closed during the wet months from May through October, set the air conditioning to keep humidity under control. Natural fibers that absorb moisture for weeks can lose their shape, stain, or develop a musty smell. When steady climate control is not possible, a vinyl that copies the grasscloth look gives a similar feel with far less risk.
Sun and color
Grasscloth is dyed, and dyes in natural fibers fade with direct sunlight. Rooms facing the ocean or a pool often get intense morning or afternoon light. Natural or undyed weaves in sand and straw tones show fading the least. Saturated blues, greens and blacks look stunning but fade faster near glass. UV-filtering window film or sheer shades protect the investment.
We suggest putting deeper colors on walls that do not take direct light, and keeping lighter neutrals on the sunniest walls.
Preparation on coastal walls
Older coastal houses may have plaster, newer ones drywall over concrete block. Either surface must be dry, sound and sealed before grasscloth goes up. We start with moisture readings, especially on exterior walls and below windows where storm-driven rain can seep in, then repair and prime.
- Moisture checks before any work begins
- Repairs to cracks, nail pops and old anchor holes
- Tinted wallpaper primer matched to the cloth color
- Mildew-resistant clear adhesive as specified by the manufacturer
- Roll and run numbers recorded so panels go up in order
How we hang it
Each panel is pasted on the back, booked for the recommended time, and pressed onto the wall with a soft brush. We never squeegee hard on the weave, and we keep a bucket of clean water and a sponge ready to blot any adhesive that reaches the surface. Grasscloth cannot be wiped like vinyl, so preventing paste on the face is the main skill.
Seams will show; that is the character of natural fiber. We place the strongest color shifts where they are least noticeable, often at inside corners or beside doorways, and we reverse alternating panels when the manufacturer recommends it. Ceilings and baseboards are trimmed with sharp blades to avoid fraying.
Many coastal homes have tall ceilings. Long drops make each panel heavier and harder to handle, so we work in pairs on tall walls and use stable scaffolding where ladders are not enough.
Keeping grasscloth looking good
Dust occasionally with a soft vacuum brush. Blot spills quickly with a dry cloth and avoid water and cleaners. Keep pool towels and wet swimsuits away from grasscloth walls. And when you leave for the summer, leave the AC on a moderate setting rather than off.
We also hang grasscloth for homeowners in nearby Briny Breezes, Delray Beach, Ocean Ridge, Hypoluxo and Manalapan.
Order every roll you need at once, plus a spare, and make sure all of them share one run number. Natural fibers vary from batch to batch, and a roll from a later run can look like a different product next to the first. Store the spare flat in a cool, dry closet. If a panel is ever stained by a leak or scraped by furniture, a matching replacement from your own stock is the only way to make the repair disappear.
More services in Gulf Stream
- Wallpaper Installation in Gulf Stream
- Wallpaper Removal in Gulf Stream
- Accent Wall Installation in Gulf Stream
- Mural Installation in Gulf Stream