Growing up, I always loved visiting my grandmother’s home. It was perfectly appointed with Oriental rugs, antiques, and knick-knacks that all had an interesting story behind them. She also loved floral wallpapers, often in pink. The designs were simple but elegant and feminine, much like she was. As I’ve aged, my taste has taken on a more modern edge, and I don’t often think of my design sense as falling in line with my grandmother’s. She passed away several years ago, but the house which my aunt lives in has barely changed. However, on a visit this week, I was drawn back to one of my favorite elements of the home, the grasscloth wallpaper. All of the formal areas of the home are covered in it and have been for as long as I can remember (which is at least 30 years). And I’m sure it’s partially why my sister was so drawn to it when decorating her new house.

I’ve always loved running my fingers along the ridges of the wallpaper (probably something I really shouldn’t do!), and I can’t help but walk through one of the rooms covered in it without taking a moment to stop and admire it. This floral grasscloth wallpaper in the dining room is particularly striking and unusual.

However, even the more basic patterns of it are just as fabulous.

Grasscloth wallpaper is great in any space that isn’t exposed to moisture like a kitchen or bath. It’s incredibly elegant while also being earthly. I have no idea where my grandmother got this wallpaper, but a good source for it now is Philip Jeffries’ collection of Seagrass Grasscloth Wallpaper which is available in great colors like Coppermine…

and Woodland Blue.

I also found a few floral grasscloth wallpapers. This Echo Design Floral Grasscloth Wallpaper has a bit more of a traditional feeling to it than the delicate vine pattern that is on my grandmother’s walls, but it could work well in a dining room or bathroom.

Whereas this is a bit more subtle.

There is no doubt that grasscloth wallpaper is not inexpensive, but unlike many other wallpapers, it is truly timeless and will never go out of style so you probably won’t want to for decades, if ever. And even if you change your decor from modern to coastal to traditional, it will remain a beautiful element in any of them.

Uh oh, I just got an idea as to where I want to put it in my own house! Wonder if my hubby with go for it. Stay tuned.