So when I asked readers for advice on which ceiling treatment to choose for my Mahalo Lounge, reader Maria Gamalski replied, all skeptical given past experience:
Hahahaha I’m not falling for this again! You had us agonizing over swatches in shades of red/orange/coral for the sectional and you went w/green that wasn’t even presented as as an option……. you pick!????
I responded:
I hope you are not angry at me! I go through an arduous decision-making process. Hey: I REALLY am going to use one of these!
But. Umm. Then. Golly….
What can I say? I went to California on a Grand LA Tiki Adventure and decided — I need more tiki, less chic. Then, the Retro Decorating Gods timely delivered unto me gorgeous vintage grasscloth on ebay.
It’s not as if… my head and neck and back and shoulders and hands (and pocketbook) ain’t payin’ the price, getting this stuff cut into perfect 34.5″ squares then up onto the ceiling all by my lonely.
- Will I finish my Mahalo Lounge by the end of this year. Or, ever? Your guess is as good as mine.
Jennifer says
So glad you went with the grass cloth! When I saw the wallpaper, I thought it would lose its novelty over time. And this is great vibe for the space.
Brooke says
I’m really happy you ended up with this vs any of the wall paper choices. I think this one goes better with the tiki theme and wont compete too much with the great leopard print walls.
I feel like we’re getting close to seeing the reveal! Looking forward to it!
Did you consider cutting very thin sheet of MDF to fit the length/width of each section and gluing the pieces to it before attaching to the ceiling with nails/construction adhesive to save your neck and back?
Susie Q. says
Well, it definitely looks good. Maybe that’s why you couldn’t decide between options A and B–you knew deep down that neither were right for the job.
Marie Gamalski says
Oh….and I LOVE the ceiling girlfriend!!! The amount of work you’ve put in is BEYOND amazing!!!!????????????????????????
Marie Gamalski says
Hi Pam… it’s me, Marie…. I’m sorry I sounded snarky, I was just being sarcastic….. I LOVE your site and your including us! Forgive me?!?!????….. BUT, although I love your choice for the sectional, I’m an orange/red girl…. still friends??? And, I’m eternally grateful to you/your site for finding my PERFECT mid century sofa. We looked for a DECADE, and never found the “one” until you highlighted Joybird on your site. ????????????????
Pam Kueber says
not to worry! i loved your comment !
Debbie in Portland says
I think this is a terrific choice! I am normally a “more is more” kind of girl, but I wasn’t excited about any of the wallpapers. On their own they were each fabulous, but just a wee bit too over-the-top on a ceiling. This is understated tiki-liciousness!
Linda says
I wouldn’t have thought of it – but you’re right – you were getting a “broader” view of the Tiki style. This pulls it in really well! Very excited to see it – you can’t enter the 2017 Done The Hard Way though, you’d win by a landslide. ;>
Linda
BungalowBILL says
Is this natural bamboo? If so I have a story. When I worked at a zoo they wanted to do a cheap and cheerful makeover for a public space in the ape house. They bought bamboo fencing and lined the walls with it. All well and good until the heat came on and began drying out the bamboo. The drying segments would POP like a gunshot as they split open and showered the papery lining all over the place. That was larger diameter than what yours looks like but if you start hearing snaps in the night it may be the bamboo!
Pam Kueber says
It’s a vintage product that seems to have endured at least 40 years sitting waiting for me, so fingers crossed. It’s a variety of natural materials woven together like a woven shade, adhered to a paper substrate… My husband believes it might originally have been intended for roller shades. But, the size is typical of grasscloth — 36″ wide by 24′ rolls — so I think it was intended as a wall material.
Lynne says
I have a story too… My Aunt and Uncle put up real grass cloth . The real deal. They worked hard all day , and went to bed. In the morning, the paper part was still stuck to the wall, but all the “sticks/grasses” had fallen off the face of the paper and onto the floor. They literally had to sweep up their “wallpaper”.
Rick G says
I really think you made the obvious & logical choice here Pam, this will go perfectly with your other choices in decor & not battle for attention with them !!
GlenEllyn says
Wow, I love it! It’s a lot of work but I’m sure it will be worth it. No pain, no gain or something like that, right?
I have just one question, Pam. When do you sleep???
Pam Kueber says
Oh I sleep plenty, I assure you. Sleeping is one of my superpowers, actually!