How to Faux Paint My Own Shoji Screen

Faux paint a Shoji screen to save time and money on the project.

Room dividers, such as Shoji screens, are a reliable way to divide a space for multiple functions while allowing natural lighting to pass from area to area. Shoji screens can be extremely expensive, which is why faux painting your own Shoji screen is a cost-effective way to decorate and divide your space in Oriental decor. This is a simple process that requires two days to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Painter's tape
• White spray paint
• Black acrylic paint
• Straight edge
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Tape around the outer frame of the Shoji screen. Apply tape around every wooden area of the frame, outlining the screen completely.

2. Spray paint the screening. Hold white spray paint 10 to 12 inches from the screen's surface, and apply an even coat over both sides of the screen. Allow spray paint to dry for 24 hours.

3. Remove painter's tape from around the frame of the screening. Measure and mark alternating 6-inch then 1-inch distances along the sides of the Shoji screen. Use the tape measure and pencil to accurately measure 6 inches, then 1 inch, then 6 inches, then 1 inch and repeating this along the height of the screen.

4. Measure and mark along the top and bottom edges of the Shoji screen. Measure over 8 inches, then 1 inches and repeat this process across the entire length of the top and bottom of the screen.

5. Tape around the 6-inch-by-8-inch boxes on the Shoji screen. Leave a 1-inch border around each box. Use the straight edge to keep tape running parallel from side to side and top to bottom of the screen.

6. Paint all of the 1-inch borders with black paint. Use a paint brush to apply an even coat within the taped border. Allow paint to dry for 2 hours, and remove painter's tape.

References

• "Making Shoji"; Toshio Odate; 2000