HOUSE AND GARDEN 
December, 1909 
workman to put this in place unless he can be depended upon to fol¬ 
low carefully the directions which accompany each roll of the grass 
cloth. 1 n hanging this, the same paste can be used as that prepared 
for wall paper, but it must be applied to the side wall, and not to the 
back of the grass cloth, as in the latter case it is likely to blister. 
Where a paneled upper third is used, as in one of the illustra¬ 
tions, strips of wood like the standing woodwork are set at 36-inch 
intervals, thus allowing each strip to cover the joining of the grass 
cloth. This treatment greatly simplifies putting the grass cloth 
in place. Frequently when there is no wainscot of wood, the 
lower wall is covered with grass cloth, canvas or burlap and 3-inch 
strips of the wood trim are set at 18-inch intervals about the 
room, extending from the baseboard to a height varying from 5J 
to 7 feet, as the proportions of the room may require. A plate- 
rail or heavy mold should cap these paneled strips and the effect 
is handsome and dignified. 
Japanese grass cloth sells in plain colors for 85 cents a square 
yard. It comes in rolls of eight yards, or may be purchased by the 
yard. This is much more expensive than the burlap, canvas, 
etc., which retail from 45 cents to 60 cents a square yard. 
Where a metallic effect appears on these the cost is a trifle 
higher, and in libraries, dining-rooms and certain types of living- 
rooms, such wall covering is suitable and harmonizes well with 
the dark woodwork. The metallic effect is very slight, in some 
lights hardly discernible. 
In a dining-room where the woodwork, including a 5^-foot 
wainscot, is of ash, stained a greenish brown, dull green burlap 
with a slight effect of gold upon it gives a very stunning upper wall. 
The ceiling should be treated with a caje-au-lait wash, and the win¬ 
dow draperies repeat the tone of the ceiling. In this room either 
oak or mahogany will be found to harmonize with this background. 
Among the many prepared canvases there is one showing an 
irregular surface with a raised thread. The line of colors offered 
in this material is particularly interesting. The weave of the 
fabric is firm and it may be used to cover the entire wall or com¬ 
bined with paper or plain tint. It also lends itself well to sten¬ 
ciled effects. Any of the burlaps or canvases, when once in 
place, if properly put on may be retained indefinitely; in chang¬ 
ing the color scheme of the room, the walls may be treated with 
water color or oil paint. 
The advantage of canvas-covered walls over rough plaster is 
that the wall surface remains unbroken, whereas the rough plaster 
mars readily and any break or spot upon its surface means that 
the entire wall must be retinted or the joining of the new color 
would show. 
For bathrooms, kitchens, and the service portion of the house 
there is a material which is practical and very satisfactory where 
a wall covering seems desirable. This product is very like oil¬ 
cloth, and in a tile effect makes a neat and attractive wall. It 
may be purchased also in plain tints. It is thoroughly washable 
and serviceable. It comes in rolls of 1 2 yards and is 47 inches in 
width—equal to four rolls of wall paper. This is frequently used 
to cover ceilings which are in bad condition. It makes a perfect 
butt job and shows fewer seams than some other materials, while 
its cost is comparatively low. The material takes paint well or 
paper may be applied to it. 
In many houses of the bungalow type, ceiled walls or walls of 
tongued and grooved boards are used. These can be so treated 
as to be characteristic and interesting. If the studding is exposed 
the effect is more pleasing. The panels between the studding 
should be stained some desirable tone, and the ceiling above given 
a light shade or else left in the natural color of the wood, finished 
with a semi-gloss varnish. The side walls should show a finish 
entirely without gloss. The beams and studding could be stained 
a darker shade, harmonizing and contrasting agreeably with the 
side wall and ceiling colors. 
If the height of the room permits it, a very good effect is 
2t 5 
The plain wall, finished with water color or flat oil jpaint, has a strong 
appeal to a great many people 
obtained by setting a shelf about 18 or 20 inches from the ceiling 
angle. The space between this shelf and the ceiling angle and 
between the studding, may be filled with some figured material, 
Chinese or Japanese cotton crepe, or any print of strong decorative 
design may be used. Where for any reason it seems desirable 
to add to the thickness of the walls and obtain a plain surface, 
there are materials manufactured which are very serviceable for 
this. Made from fibers of wood and also from a plaster composi¬ 
tion, these products are strong and durable, yet light in weight 
and easily set in place, and may be covered with paper or painted 
as advised for rough plaster walls. 
Where a high wainscot is used in a room the treatment of the 
bit of wall exposed above and extending to the ceiling line is 
important in the scheme of decoration. Very beautiful effects 
are secured by using a tapestry fabric. This material is made to 
reproduce some of the most beautiful and authentic old Flemish, 
French and Italian designs in rich soft colors. If the room under 
consideration will have door curtains, furniture upholstery and 
rugs of pronounced color and design, it is a good plan to finish the 
upper wall in plain color, either painting or using grass cloth or 
canvas or some one of the fabrics described This should be 
slightly deeper in tone than the ceiling color, so that the latter 
will take its rightful place and not appear heavy. 
An interesting “upper third” treatment with woodwork strips covering 
the joints of the fabric and forming a cornice line 
