Bringing Nature to Your Walls- Grasscloth

Whooh! It's been a long crazy week. Sorry for the lack of posts and comments! Catch up this weekend.

As we all know, wallpaper is back, in a big way. OK, it's been back for a few years but I take a while to catch on. And this was after we totally stripped the wallpaper from our master bath. I am now contemplating papering our foyer (after swearing on the several occasions I've removed wallpaper that I would NEVER, NEVER install wallpaper). But take one look at Thom Filicia's Designer Showhouse in House Beautiful and you might convinced as well.

Here's the background. Though our builder is known as one of the better builders in the Southeast, (OK, subdivision-type builders) we have "lines" where sheetrock pieces are joined, as well as other imperfections. Unfortunately, a satin paint I selected served to only make all imperfections more obvious. For years I've been trying to decide what to do- and think a Grass Cloth wallpaper could be the solution.

Uneven wall appearance

This is not grasscloth's first bout of popularity- which may explain my nervousness. Grasscloth was big in the 1960s and 1970s. And therein lies the worry. Will this be the avocado green appliances I am dying to get rid of in a few years? I'm hoping no- it appears the Chinese also made grasscloth- and used it as a fabric; I also read it was introduced in France in the 18th Century. So perhaps there is some longevity potential?

Phillip Jeffries seems to be the go-to source for many designers...

I adore Elizabeth Dinkel's work here:

Veranda's 2008 The Great House

Same color, same room (bedroom), very different look and feel...

Trump Towers by The Tamarind Group

You don't necessarily get the texture in this image, but I love the room!

Stately Homes by the Sea 2009, Designer Joe Lucas

The texture is a bit more obvious in Patrick Lonn Design's bathroom. Isn't it rich-looking?

Rushmore Residence

I adore pretty much everything about this room.

Long Island 2009 Designer's Showcase, by Jackie Higgins

And this one.

Hearst Designer Showcase 2008 by Charlotte Moss

Love the palm-feeling that this room invokes.

Chad Hoeft

This room has a similar feel- only more serene.

Amanda Nesbit

Holly Hunt Showroom

Metallic could be fun too...

Mattaliano Gallery

Other Grasscloth providers I like:

twenty2

Burke Decor

Urban Wallcovering

Thibaut Wallpaper and Fabric

I would love to DIY this and Centsational Girl is my inspiration

A few more pics...

Nate Berkus via DecorPad

PCH via DecorPad

House and Garden

Country Living

Velvet and Linen project

Southern Accents, Elaine Griffin

Ty Larkins via Cote de Texas

more Brooke Giannetti via Chameleon Interiors

Any advice?

have a great weekend!!

--Emmie

An ABC Getaway

Hope everyone had a great weekend. It was quite chilly in Atlanta and I'm looking forward to a warming up in Florida this week.

I took a break from indoor cleaning and fall planting to peruse the paper this afternoon (actually, I tripped down our stairs and Mr. Southern "forced" me to ice my ankle.) In the Living section, I noticed an advertisement from Curacao inviting Atlanta to come visit now. I took a quick look online- and figured- sure! According to one site, we can stay for 5 nights at the Marriott, including airfare, for $1,200. Where do I sign up!?

via Eyes On Brazil

The very first piece I noticed was the architectural style, especially evident in the capital city of Willemstad. These buildings, as well as street layouts and use of plazas, offer strong evidence of the island's Dutch colonial roots. The bright colors, on the other hand, seem purely Caribbean.

via jaunted.com

Curacao Villas- Aqualife

In addition to gorgeous seas and unique architecture, the island seems to have a vibrant artist community. A few of my favorites--

Fred Breebaart

Monique Elmondalek

Nena Sanchez

(Note: artists' work used without permission simply to share my discoveries with you)

Casa Carolina

Floris Suite Hotel

Another great feature- the diversity of the Curacao people. Ethnicities represented include Dutch, Spanish, West Indian, Latin, and African. Additionally, Curacao served as a haven for many Jewish settlers- the first of whom arrived in 1659.

Lions Dive

And of course, I can't leave out the diving. There are 40 dive spots around the island. Three of the most famous - Mushroom Forest (mountains of coral), Wreck of the Superior Producer (240' cargo ship), and Hell's Corner (tip of Santa Martha Bay).

Last photos: Curacao.com

I hope the scenery has warmed you a bit.

Curious if anyone been to Curacao? Up for a Blogger Destination Getaway?

--Emmie