Grasscloth Wallpaper for Closet Doors
For those of you interested in restoring their closet doors: After some digging, I finally found a grasscloth wallpaper that is practially a 100% match for the original shoji doors, of which I still have 2 in my house - the others have been refaced with a somewhat different paper by the previous owner:
I found it in a catalog at Expo Design Center. The catalog is called 'Asian Textures' by 'Avant Garde Wallpaper and Fabrics'
It is an arrowroot grasscloth paper and can be found on page 44:
Pattern AT 1044
It is fairly pricey though, about $120 for an 8y double roll :( , but it seems that Joe Eichler did not spare expenses here to get that authentic asian feel. Maybe it was cheaper in the 50s anyway.
Check it out!
Both Maido (the Japanese stationery store in Santana Row) and University Art on Meridian in San Jose have similar grasscloth paper intended for crafts, gift wrapping, and the like. We've always thought some of the designs would look nice on our closet doors, but have always forgotten to measure the panels to figure out if the sheets would actually fit. I seem to remember it's expensive, but may be cheaper than buying a full roll of wallpaper.
Robert
Good news! I found the same grasscloth by the same manufactuer that Jnstahl mentioned online, it comes out to be around $60 for a double roll with free shipping and no sales tax (make sure you use the promo code PRV9 to get the extra 10% off before Jan 15th). Here is the link to where to get it:
http://www.decoratetoday.com/products/wallpaper/product_detail.asp?prid=...
- Viv
Good I have not ordered it yet! That online price is much better. BTW. the catalog (and the online catalog, too) have a number of different hues of the same texture. So, if you are not hell-bent on restoring the doors to original specification, you can also choose another color to your liking.
I refinished my hallway closet doorsand kept the original hardware, etc.. It was quite a project, but they slide smoother and look fantastic! I found the grasscloth at home depot. It looks identical to my original covering except lighter, which is probably expected given the original are older and dirtier. The pattern # is either MC1728 or MC1737.
t
I forgot to mention that the double rolls were about 42 dollars.
t
I see that several people are purchasing the wallpaper and aslo live in Walnut Creek. Are you going to need both rolls? I only have 4 doors left and ordering the double roll would be overkill. If somebody would like to sell me a partial roll or enough for 4 individual doors, please e-mail me.
[email protected]
Thanks
I found a very good match at Home Depot when I last looked.
Now the paint on the doors that's a different matter.
Do you plan to remove the inside panels to apply the walltex or will you cut and fit on the door ?
Hi,
I remodelled my closet doors which included sanding and painting the frames. Although I didn't use zolatone (sp?) paint, my color choice goes well with the interior. Removal of the wood inserts was easy, but they were in bad condition. I opted to throw them away, purchase new luan sheets and then re-assemble once wallpapered. Also, instead of using staples I used screws in case I wanted to disassemble for re-painting of the frame.
It was a time consuming project, but very much worth the while to have near original closet doors. It was important for me to retain that look in the house since it was one of the things that stood out as unique to Eichler homes.
t
I am assuming that most of your houses with the grasscloth closet doors are earlier models? Mine's a 64 in S. CA. Out closet doors have a "burlap" type fabris, not the grasscloth I know you're talking about. Also, some of our doors are almost 48" wide which don't accomodate the wallpaper widths.
Do any of you have the burlap fabric on your closets? I know mine is original---for sure. Has anyone just bought burlap fabric from stores and used that?
I'm hesitant to replace burlap since it is a wonderful catscratcher for the cat--in fact that's why our original closets are now ruined. I found a place that sells s.steel thin sheets 8'x4' for only $40 each. I thought that would be neat in the kids' rooms because they could work like giant magnet boards. but maybe that is too modern looking...is there a way to paint steel that makes it looks powdercoated without the cost of powder coating? thanks
Hi. :) Instead of the grass paper, we are going to experiment with a fabric covered insert on the master bedroom and hallway doors. The plan is to put these new inserts right over the original grass, which is mildly damaged on several of the doors. Goal is to bring in light and color since we have original walls. I'll provide an update once the test project is completed.
My question is: Any experience with a process to repair the frame dents and match the Zolatone? Ours is brown. We want to clean up the doors but aren't planning to repaint the frames since we love the texture of the Zolatone and want to stay original. Someone suggested a light wax among other products...
Cindy
I have a 1965 Eichler in San Francisco. It also has the original Burlap covered closet doors. Mine are a bit thread-bare too and I need to resurface them.
I found an online source for burlap wallpaper:
http://www.wallliner.com/CWY4038.html
The link above will take you to the Burlap roll. It is 8 yrds x 36". Each roll is $52 (sold in two rolls packs)
FYI - the color of the new burlap is lighter than our original doors, but it's close. Also there are LOTS of other really groovy natural grass cloth options if you want to try somehting else. Hope that helps!
