| Vol.
I, No. 4 |
January
Thaw |
Jan.
19th, 2001 |
Links to House & Home On-Line
Shóji Screen Designs
The amount of info on the web
is enormous, as anyone who's ever tried to run a search can attest
to. And, to put it all in context, best estimates say that
only a fraction, maybe 20 - 40 % of what's out there is actually
making its way to the search engines.
Well ...
Here at DownStreet, we'd like to try to
help. So each issue, we post a few links in House & Home
to sites that might interest you. Sometimes the links will
be related to one another ... sometimes we'll just
offer up a somewhat random sampling. In either case, we
think we might be able to help you find the kind of site you've
been looking for.
Of course, while we can't vouch for the fact
that every link we provide will be of interest to everyone, we do
our best to filter out the noise and the bustle. ...
Shóji Screen Designs
If we hooked you on the idea of making some
free-standing shóji screens, then you may want to take
a look at these sites.
... There commercial by and large, but you can get some
ideas, as well as specs in one case. ...
-
shoji specifications
This page, part of a web site, comes from
Bluefield Joiners -- "Makers of Traditional Japanese
Architectural Woodworking" -- out of Taftville,
CT. ... And if the photos on the Projects page
-- which include tea rooms, entry doors, vanities and more
-- are any indication, these folks are turning out some
quality work.
.
The page linked here provides two useful sets of
illustrations -- specs and traditional screen
designs. The specs provided are actually for shóji
screens set in runners for sliding doors. Their
design goes with 2" at the top cross piece, but
3-1/2" at the bottom. The screen designs are
for recessed woodwork -- referred to as kumiko --
and the page provides eight examples. In addition,
the site includes a portfolio of their work in more than
30 photos, a photo section on joinery {that shows they're
working with some fairly large timber, and not just 2x2's
... as well as a link to a commercial site for Japanese
hardware.
.
Unless you're a master with the tools, you might be
tempted to skip the weekend screen-making project and
instead consider screens from these folks ... if you can
afford them. Prices start at $25/sq.ft. for red
cedar & rice paper units, including runners. For
a 6'x2' panel, 3-screen unit, that'd be about $900.
Rating [for shóji screen ideas]:
**** [4 stars]
.
-
Shoji Screens --
from Oriental Home
This link goes directly to the shóji
screen page of Oriental Home, a commercial site with
lots of home furnishings available, including Korean,
Rosewood and lacquer furniture, as well as porcelain and
Chinese antiques. {The showroom is located down in
Nattick, Mass.} ...
.
While the showroom boasts more than 5,000 items,
the on-line shóji screen page offers 10 examples
-- mostly hardwood frames, including lacquered models,
and mostly rice paper, with some models offering it
decorated, though there's also one with a beautiful
burnt bamboo covering. The designs are useful if
you decide to go into a more complex project, and you
can get at larger images than shown on this linked page
simply by clicking on the More Info button next to the
screen that interests you.
.
If the look and feel of these screens also
entices you to forego the weekend project, you may be
happy to know the prices here -- understandably, since
they're not custom made -- are under $5/sq.ft.
Rating [for shóji screen ideas]: **** [4 stars]
.
-
Design Shoji
Ok. If you really want to make a
project of it, you can always visit the Design Shoji
site. These folks are focused on one thing only
... making some of the most intriguing and exquisite shóji
screens they can. And their rep must preceded
them: They list clients from Martha's Vineyard
to Maui. ...
.
Now, you should know that all their designs are
copyrighted. But if you want some inspiration
for your own project, you can definitely walk away
with some ideas that will take you well past a
weekend's work. Free-standing and sliding
screens, curved panels, window coverings ... They've
done them all.
.
The cost? Who knows!?! It's
probably one of those occasions when, if you have to
ask ...
Rating [for shóji screen ideas]: **** [4 stars] .
*******
*******
If you know of any links that you think are
worthwhile, why not send them along to ...
links@downstreetmagazine.com
...
If we agree, we'll be happy to include them
in an upcoming issue to pass the word along. ...
Thanks.
*******
*******
.
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