Grasscloth & Specialty Wallcovering Installation
Grasscloth and specialty wallcoverings bring texture, depth and character to a room in a way few other materials can. They also demand an experienced hand. Natural fibers, linens, fabrics and other specialty wallcoverings each behave differently, requiring careful preparation, thoughtful layout and an understanding of the material before installation begins.
With more than 30 years in the paperhanging trade, 7 Mile Paint & Paper brings the technical skill of an experienced paperhanger together with an artistic eye for the finished space. From understanding natural variations and panel placement to planning seams, corners and focal points, every installation is approached with the material, and the entire room, in mind.
Specialty materials deserve specialized craftsmanship.
Understanding Grasscloth & Natural Wallcoverings
Grasscloth is unlike traditional wallpaper. Made from natural fibers, each panel can have its own subtle variations in color, texture and weave. Those differences are part of what gives grasscloth its depth and character—and part of what makes a properly planned installation so important.
Seams in grasscloth are typically visible, and natural shading or variation from one panel to the next is often an intentional characteristic of the material rather than an imperfection. An experienced paperhanger understands these qualities before the first cut is made and plans the installation accordingly.
The material itself also demands careful handling. Adhesive, moisture, trimming and even pressure during installation can affect delicate natural fibers and finished surfaces. Some specialty wallcoverings require specific adhesives, primers or installation techniques, while others may require lining or additional wall preparation before installation begins.
The goal isn't to make a natural material look manufactured or perfectly uniform. It's to understand the material, respect its character and install it in a way that allows it to look its best in the finished room.
Variation is part of the material.
Placement is part of the craft.
Layout Is Part of the Design
With grasscloth and natural wallcoverings, layout isn't simply about where to begin hanging. Because seams and natural variations are part of the finished appearance, the placement of each panel affects the way the entire room feels.
Before installation begins, I look at the room as a whole—focal walls, entrances, windows, doors, corners, cabinetry and other architectural details. The goal is to create balance, avoid awkward panel placement and make thoughtful decisions about where seams and transitions will be most visually successful.
This becomes especially important with materials that show natural shading from panel to panel. Sometimes the right approach is symmetry. Sometimes it's controlling where a particular panel lands. And sometimes the character of the material itself dictates the best layout. There isn't one formula that works for every wallcovering or every room.
Good layout shouldn't call attention to itself. It should make the finished room feel right.
The installation starts with the wall.
The layout starts with the room
Specialty Materials We Work With
Specialty wallcoverings can vary dramatically in construction, finish and installation requirements. Experience with the material matters. The adhesive, wall preparation, trimming method, layout and handling technique may all change depending on what is being installed.
Grasscloth & Natural Fibers
Handwoven and natural materials with distinctive texture, shading and panel-to-panel variation that require thoughtful layout and careful handling.
Linen & Textile Wallcoverings
Woven and fabric-based wallcoverings that bring warmth and texture to a space while requiring particular attention to cutting, seams, adhesive and surface preparation.
Silk & Delicate Wallcoverings
Refined materials where careful handling is essential. Attention to clean hands, adhesive control, trimming and placement helps protect the finished surface throughout installation.
Handcrafted & Artisan Papers
Hand-printed, hand-painted and other artisan wallcoverings often have characteristics unique to the way they're made. Those variations are considered as part of the design rather than treated like conventional machine-printed wallpaper.
Cork, Wood Veneer & Other Natural Materials
Dimensional and natural-surface wallcoverings can have unique installation requirements based on their thickness, construction and finish.
Designer & Luxury Wallcoverings
High-end materials deserve an installation approached with the same care that went into selecting them—from initial wall preparation and layout through the final detail.
The material determines the technique.
Experience determines how well it's executed.
Looking for the right wallcovering?
7 Mile Paint & Paper also offers wallcoverings from select manufacturers. Whether you're working with an interior designer or choosing a wallcovering yourself, we can assist with product selection, measuring, material requirements and installation—bringing the project together from the first idea to the finished room.