Calling all interior decorator types ...

[crabcake]

You could remove the panels from the existing doors and replace them with rice paper (Dye's suggestion, we're talkin' 'bout ya' ) or linen.

The closet doors are panel-style, but a solid piece. I'd have to use a jigsaw to cut the panels out. Probably easier to buy louvered ones and just use those. I'll have to hit lowes and see what they have in that department.

 

[fredsaid2]

Your inspiration rooms are very spare and clean lined. How about a banded jute rug for the floor to give a more tropical look? Like this 5' x 8' Jute Boucle Natural Rug with Border

I like the idea of taking away the head and foot board to make it a platform. You might also remove the dresser mirror and replace it w/ one in a dark frame, maybe round. Changing the windows to shutters would give more of a tropical look too.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[crabcake]

Hey Malice ...

I GOT IT!

My existing bi-fold closet doors have panels on the front side, but are flat (no raised panels) on the back. I can put a fresh coat of white paint on the back side, and paint black framing that you see on Shoji screens. I could even come back then and paint a floral or tree silhouette on them something like this but less cheesy/busy. Then, just flip the hardware around and reveal the non-panel, shoji painted sides toward the room.

Whatcha think?

 

[mAlice]

Whatcha think?

Awesome!

 

[crabcake]

Awesome!

Helluva lot cheaper than buy all new doors! But will be tedious as hell. I think I can do it, though. Thanks for the Shoji suggestion!

 

[Pete]

A couple Filipino chamber maids would be a great finishing touch.

 

[crabcake]

A couple Filipino chamber maids would be a great finishing touch.

Maybe I'll celebrate the "reveal" to Rick by going commando under a kimono.

 

[onebdzee]

A couple Filipino chamber maids would be a great finishing touch.

Your hoping to house sit for her, aren't cha?

 

[crabcake]

Your hoping to house sit for her, aren't cha?

Maybe I'll have a couple of Katsumoto samurai's fanning me with palm leaves.

 

[Pete]

Maybe I'll celebrate the "reveal" to Rick by going commando under a kimono.

Don't forget to bind your feet!

 

[mAlice]

Helluva lot cheaper than buy all new doors! But will be tedious as hell. I think I can do it, though. Thanks for the Shoji suggestion!

Did I suggest that?

I think you'll do a great job. You're a DIY kinda gal.

 

[crabcake]

Don't forget to bind your feet!

Then I won't be able to over the outcome.

I'm really excited about this project ... it's going to be a LOT of painting (bed, dressers, nightstands, and 8 panels of bi-fold doors. The rest will be accent stuff like curtains/shades and artwork. I just don't want to get too "asian-y" ... I want to keep it semi-tropical feeling, too.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Katsumoto

 

[crabcake]

Tropical Ceiling Fan - Palm Blade Fan, Bamboo Fan, Rattan Fan, Tropical Fan

Actually, the ceiling fan in my guest bedroom has a semi-tropical feel to it, so I figure I'll just swap 'em out.

 

[crabcake]

I wondered if you'd stumble in here and see that.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Check this site: Asian Home Décor (Asian Furniture, Japanese Decor, Chinese Furniture): Oriental Furniture, Shoji Screens, Japanese Decor, Room Dividers, and Asian Furniture

I quickly browsed their selection and saw some cute items!

 

[crabcake]

My friend at work and I were talking about another alternative to "dress up" the closet doors ... along the same lines of the shoji idea. Still flip the doors and paint the black border on the edge, but somehow add a burlap-like fabric on the inside of the black border. That has more of a "cabana" type feel than the traditional shoji screens, which is more of what I want, but still dresses up the doors in a neat way. I've attached a quick drawing I did in powerpoint to show kinda what I'm talking about.

 

[mAlice]

My friend at work and I were talking about another alternative to "dress up" the closet doors ... along the same lines of the shoji idea. Still flip the doors and paint the black border on the edge, but somehow add a burlap-like fabric on the inside of the black border. That has more of a "cabana" type feel than the traditional shoji screens, which is more of what I want, but still dresses up the doors in a neat way. I've attached a quick drawing I did in powerpoint to show kinda what I'm talking about.

You could do the same thing with one of those roll up bamboo blinds. Just cut it to the size you need to fit the door.

Either way, it'll look nice. Good idea.

 

[crabcake]

You could do the same thing with one of those roll up bamboo blinds. Just cut it to the size you need to fit the door.

Either way, it'll look nice. Good idea.

Great idea!

I was trying to think of how I could "attach" the fabric to the door (was thinking some kind of adhesive, but afraid it eventually might bubble/peel). If I can find some bamboo sticks (or just buy some blinds and take them apart), I could probably do the same thing with those, and just glue them on as well. Then, if one should happen to lift or come off, it's easy to fix by re-attaching that one part, whereas the fabric would be harder to fix.

So many options ...

 

[mAlice]

Great idea!

I was trying to think of how I could "attach" the fabric to the door (was thinking some kind of adhesive, but afraid it eventually might bubble/peel). If I can find some bamboo sticks (or just buy some blinds and take them apart), I could probably do the same thing with those, and just glue them on as well. Then, if one should happen to lift or come off, it's easy to fix by re-attaching that one part, whereas the fabric would be harder to fix.

So many options ...

I bet you could get a good suggestion on what adhesive to use from someone at Home Depot, Lowes or whatever you have down there.