Style Secret: Shoji Screens
Shoji screens, a traditional element of Japanese architecture, are made from translucent paper (or in the modern world, glass or plastic) anchored by a grid of natural wood. Because space in Asian homes tends to be at a premium, shoji screens often slide open and closed rather than swinging out.
East meets West: You can interpret shoji screens for all sorts of different uses: windows, kitchen cabinets, room dividers and more. The key: Don't obscure them with furniture or accessories — you'll block the light that filters through and mar their austere beauty.