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- Verified Buyer
I ordered the 4-panel version, not for privacy so much as concealment: I've an ugly grey-metal filing cabinet in the corner of the guest room. It weighs a ton, I didn't want to move it, and I had nowhere else to put it anyway. So I got this room divider to make it invisible.Well it sure does the job, and looks tasteful too. Compared to other dressing screens and room dividers I looked at, this one, for its price ($41.95 plus $25 shipping) seemed like the best bet.What I liked best about it was its simplicity. As long as you can live with a cherry-wood finish, there's nothing else here to jar with any other décor.The "shoji" paper (whatever that is) of the panels seems to me opaque, and the gaps between the panels are quite small. So, if privacy is your aim, this should do it.But go for the four-panel version. Here's why: the whole is very light; folded, I can easily carry it in one hand. Stood up, it might be called "flimsy." The more 'folded' it is, when in place, the sturdier it will stand. The four-panel will thus cover more area more sturdily than the three-panel would. If privacy is your aim, well, you won't have any when the ceiling fan or a nearby door closing causes it to topple over. So you'll want to keep it fairly bent when in place. Thus, the three-panel version will conceal maybe two linear feet of space. That ain't much.(Note that, it is even less sturdy when stood on carpet.)I'm happy with my choice, but I'm sure glad I went for the four-panel option. Otherwise, my cloaking device might fall flat.I love the screens, I have already bought two sets on Amazon. For years I wanted screens like this, but they always seemed too expensive. Plus, I was reluctant to buy them online because I wasn't sure how they would look in person and I knew I would be too lazy to send them back. Well, after buying an old used set of Shoji screen on craigslist, for about the same price, I realized that I would probably like the screens I got on Amazon. I went ahead and ordered one set. Wow - fabulous! I don't have closet doors up yet, so I put the screen in front of the closet, and the mess was hidden! Plus, they add real elegance to the space. I have now used them to provide some privacy for a visiting relative who was sleeping on our couch. I put a large plant behind a screen, with a floor can light shining upwards so that I could see the outline of the plant behind the screen. I also stuck a bunch of junk back there, but you couldnt see any of it. I think that there will always be a place to put either of those screens in our house, no matter how much we downsize our possessions or decorate. Although they are Japanese shoji screens, they also contain the lines of Craftsman design, which suits our house well. It is possible to replace the paper in the screens if it ever gets damaged, and at $65 for the screens, you just can't go wrong.I bought this to create a divider between my kitchen and living room. I bought the natural color and the wood is not as yellow as the photo, but it matches our honey colored hardwood floors. Keep in mind that the thin wood strips you see as a part of the design are only on one side (so there is a definite front and back side). The back side is just the paper. I have used this for a week and so far I have not seen the white panels sag in any way. They are thin but not tissue paper thin and seem to hold up, but yes, they are delicate and do allow light to diffuse through. Be careful when you open the package not to tear them. Due to the way the hinges are mounted they only bend in one way (in M shape if you are looking at it, not in W shape).The height is nice and tall such that they definitely reach over the heads of a person of average height, but not so tall that they hit a standard ceiling. No installation required, just take out of the box and you are good to go. I love it!Wow, this far exceeded my expectations. Amazing for the price, or for any price. The wood is beautiful, warm in tone, (mine is the Natural) and blends in perfectly with my honey toned hardwood floors. I always wanted a shoji screen but they seemed too expensive for what you got - and who knows what you'd get ordering online. Actually, I've never even seen one this nice -- and the exact design I was looking for. It is the ideal height -- and easy to pick up to move. I looked at lots of web sites and if you are doing that also --- no need to go further. This is IT. Don't think you will find anything better.The only reason I am giving this item four stars rather than five is that I'm afraid other buyers won't believe that this screen is as beautiful and well made as a five-star screen might be. But let me reassure you: I'm picky. And I'm very happy with this screen. I don't think you will regret buying the beautiful screen, but if you do, remember it's four stars rather than five. ;)Edit on May 18, 2015. We continue to like this screen. I wanted to note, however, that the frames have become slightly warped, thus causing the paper to look a little wrinkled. Most people will never notice it, and the screen does the job that we bought it for: Shielding out too much sunlight in a south-facing room. I anticipate that when the weather is less muggy, the screens will unwarp a bit. You may want to consider the screen three stars rather than four in light of this defect.
