Sliding Opaque-Glass Panels Are Attractive And Functional For Modern Interior

So it's important to realize that Wright's work and the Arts and Crafts style in California were themselves shaped by Japanese design.
 
Key characteristics of Japanese design -- the refinement of simple lines and the modest scale of spaces -- are also distinguishing features of this influential American motif. A restrained use of color, reflective of the natural landscape, made its way across the Pacific as well. We can therefore see that modern American design draws inspiration as much from Asia as from Europe. And that's in keeping, of course, with the multicultural makeup of our society.
 
QUESTION: Some major cost overruns are forcing us to downscale some of the plans for the house we're building. The interior has a modern design, and we had intended to install custom-made sliding panels between sections of a large open space. That's no longer affordable, so can you tell us where to find factory-made shoji-style panels?
 
ANSWER: A scan of the Internet will quickly lead you to commercial sources of pocket doors that allow both privacy and light filtration. Many are modeled on the Japanese shoji screens that you mention. The photo shows a particularly elegant set of opaque glass panels that pocket into a wall, creating an effect that's as attractive as it is functional. You'll note that the color of the wood matches what's used throughout the kitchen. By choosing wooden frames, you can stain the sliding panels to complement other finishes in your home's large open space.
 
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