apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Drapery panels hung from ceiling-mounted "hospital track."

How do the Japanese frame up those walls with firring strips and paper? I like the way they slide. Probably won't work here ...go with the
Molo softwall

Frits
you're thinking of a Shoji screen.

I saw he Molo Softwall on HGTV, it looks thin and looks like it could easily fall over, but that's just me.

My vote is the Ikea Dunker.

oops sorry
*Fritz

What about the wall in "Vince's High Tech Hide-out" in the SCA???

The Softwall is very difficult to manuever. We ordered 2 to be used as office dividers and when they arrived we tried to put them up and they are VERY delicate, not to mention awkward....especially when a breeze comes through the room. They did take them back and actually came to visit our space to assess our needs and demonstrate the newer version in Tyvek which was much sturdier, but still not quite right for the job.

I used the Ikea Dunker in my apartment. It gives out a pretty warm light and comes with a dimmer. You can hook upto three of them together. The height allows you to have a sense of separation without feeling too confined.

I also like the last photo on the list.

Good Luck!

i have been eyeing this one at chiasso. you can't beat it for the money.

http://www.chiasso.com/store/Item.aspx?DepartmentId=34&ItemId=50514

I am weary about the coil room dividers because they must curve in order to stand, right. So, instead of being say 6 inches, it ends up taking up a 18 inch wide piece of floor. It's just not very efficient I guess is what I'm saying. I like sliding panels because they take up little space and they allow a space to be very flexible. Feel like privacy, close em, wnat to get some light and some energy, open em. But if you have to room to spare and you like the look of the coil, go for it.

Globalhaus Sticks screen:

http://www.housefish.com/2006/01/globalhaus-sticks-screen.html

Mona: you need to cruise the east coast section of the smallest, coolest entries. At least half use some kind of room divider -- some custom, some OTS, some DIY. This contest is rich in room-divider inspiration.

I love the look of the Molo, but if you have pets....forget it.

P2, any suggestions of hospital-track sources? I have seen this suggested in many places (most recently Domino) but can't say I have ever found a track while hunting through hardware stores or websites. Thnks.

CB2 has the "Bubbles" room dividers that I really like...

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=104&f=1972

and the ceiling mounted "Fusion" partitions...

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=104&f=2789

I think Crate & Barrel and West ELm also typically have free-standing room dividers.

Jennifer--

Got mine from curtainfair.com

Various lengths, easily trimmed with a standard hacksaw. "Bendy" connectors, end caps. etc.

Great resource, quirky guy when you call.

Jennifer:

For hospital curtain tracks, try this link:

http://cubiclecurtainfactory.com/

Two great resources! Thanks so much. Can't wait to start measuring.

I vote for stacked large bottles of water. Or maybe a wall made from (unopened) plum tomato cans -- they almost always have excellent labels.

Kirsch curtain tracks and hardware are available from Rose Brand theatrical supply, in NYC and LA. They'll also sew your drapery.

Jennifer, I use InPro Corporation (link @ my name)

what about floor to ceiling venetian blinds in aluminium or any other metallic shade.

you can pull them up easily and clear them out of sight. also you can change the direction of the blinds to let more or less light through.

it will be an easy fix to see how a divider might work in the space available before you go for a more expensive option.

another option on similar lines is a roller blind with a pattern which suits your decor

I posted this in the open thread--but I think I should have posted it here--besides using drapery and hospital tracks (which I'm strongly considering), has anyone had any luck making a closet in the corner of a room (without building another side wall and a closet door)? I have a nook (NYC style--so the walls aren't straight) that's 30"w x 22"d x 120"h that my couch sits next to. It houses a bookcase, but I want to turn it into a closet. Drapery sounds good, but I thought I'd see if anyone else has any other (cheap) DIY ideas. I'm not sure room partitions will work because of the access issue. Thanks and and I do apologize this isn't egregiously repetitious.

oooo the Molo is great

but if you're going budget, or
to cover a closet someone mentioned,
there's another Ikea product of fabric
panels on aluminum tracks.

I built a closet like you describe, Duckbill
and covered it with drapery
which I hated until I moved out
leaving college behind

I love these : Algues by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. Unpractical? Yes, but a wall of these in a modern apartment would look hot.

Link:
http://www.unicahome.com/p16653/vitra/algues-by-ronan-and-erwan-bouroullec.html

Try Raydoor for moveable walls and doors that will let lots of light in.

There are some CRAZY silk fringe panels at The Terrence Conran Shop... perhaps called "Rain" panels? Couldn't find them on the site though.

Duckbill--
What about two hollow core doors, joined at a right angle, on wheels?

Mirror the backs and you not only have a way to conceal clothes in a corner, you also have a dresing room when you wheel it away to get at your clothes.

Chia'sso has some inexpensive fringe panels for sale: http://www.chiasso.com/store/Item.aspx?DepartmentId=48&ItemId=50240

Ikea has a great 3 curtain rail sliding panel system that is dirt cheap...$67.90. The panels are 118" long and 24" wide. They have a white paper panel that is transluscent so you won't lose a lot of light. And if you want to go opaque, they have that option too.

I think I'm going to cry, for some reason the post I had here disappeared while I was looking at another page. Why. WHY!

All the links are gone.

Jessica mentioned the IKEA rail system,

View in pictures 2 and 5 here in "What's Your Style?":
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&catalogId=10103&langId=-1&categoryId=15594&wa=1

Play with six panels here:
http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/bedroommoods_window/index.html

Click on a panel shown in the photo (it will pulse) and then select a panel from the right side, to change the one in the window. Play with the fabrics, and try out combinations by clicking on the next panel in the window, and changing it's panel.

Panels:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&catalogId=10103&langId=-1&topcategoryId=15594&parentCats=15594*15828*16168&categoryId=16168&cattype=sub

Use the top/bottom rail for their panels:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15594&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=47307&langId=-1&parentCats=15594*15828*15846

Make your own with the fabrics:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&catalogId=10103&langId=-1&topcategoryId=15594&parentCats=15594*15834*16128&categoryId=16128&cattype=sub&pageNumber=0

You have then created a wall of fabric, and you can create "doors" as needed to best use that space. Do please give us the "after" shots if you go this route, your space is PERFECT for the rails.

You can also check out the WIRE systems, that can be wall (and ceiling) mounted.

I went to look at Chiasso for the items other folks posted, and found this, and it's temporary, looks neat, has a swing arm, extends out, stays up with tension rod, use as many as necessary. Would work for Duckbill's area too:
http://www.chiasso.com/store/Item.aspx?DepartmentId=48&ItemId=46848

You need to talk to Vince:

smallest coolest apartments 2006:
#50 - Vince's High Tech Hideout

Have a look at his swanky dividers.

Has anyone actually heard from Vince?

Thanks for the help, guys. And I want to see after pictures of the office divider too. Jennifer--Vince did write back last night and promises a how-to.

Tai--
YES, that is the same type of thing as the Conran version. Conrans also has various colors, which can be combined into a totally funky gradation.

The Chiasso version is now going on my list of elements for my fantasy all-white urban beach-adjacent swank pad.

Umbra has a nice tension-mounted telescoping drapery system, too.

http://www.umbra.com/ustore/product.do?product=238936&colour=410

I plan on giving the Ikea Kvadrant system a try, though, because I need to go around corners.

sorry about the double post up there...

To: patrick (the other one) and daily nuance, I am deciding between Ikea kvadrant and hospital tracking to hang curtain panels as moveable room dividers. can you please tell me: can you put regular panels on those hooks? or do you have to use ugly hospital curtains?

P(Too): I would love to see all the different colors Conran has. Methinks I need to plan a trip to New York soon...

Hanging fabric panels (about $100 each): http://www.inhabitliving.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=7

Or maybe the Mitad Del Mundo (I'm not sure on the price though): http://www.irisdesignstudio.com/MitadDelMundo1.html

Am on the brink of investing in a molo softwall, but am intrigued by the idea shown in the bottom photo. Don't see either a description or a link for it, though. Can someone point me in the right direction?

I found something that works great for me as a divider. It's a polyester "string" curtain (not the cheap rayon garbage out there) that is on a vertical track, but you would never know it's a vertical. The great thing is you can have it open in the middle or to one side, or you can walk right through it. I found it online. Take a look at the pictures on their website www.decorativestyleinc.com Their main thing is really different window treatments made from these strings. Very modern. The stuff is very cool and even is machine washable. I love mine.
Shellie

I am redecorating a 360' studio in Miami Beach. I would like to create a separation between the kitchen/entertainment area and bed area. There is a window by the bed. It faces street. I want to have a contemporary/sleek look. I was thinking at first some french doors or some kind of room divider. Can anyone give me some ideas.
Frank

Ado corporation makes a fabulous string curtain called cordon. It is a great as a window treatment or as a room divider.

Ado also has a treatment called the ADOglide which is a panel track system - makes a fantastic contemporary look that works great for a room divider or window treatment.

Go to www.ado-usa.com to find a dealer.

DO NOT BUY THE MOLO SOFTWALL! The softwall is flimsy and must be set up in an S shape so that it doesn't fall over. But even then it's tenuous. I bought mine online at unicahome and they wouldn't let me return it (they don't let you return anything unless it's for store credit and in the case of the Molo, once you buy it it's yours!) so I was stuck with $1000 coffee filter. In terms of design Molo is brilliant. In terms of the price, it's a joke.

my prblem is how do you clean it? i'm sure it gets dusty and seems like it would be a pain in the you-know-what.

Could someone please tell me about the last picture? The lighted wall partition? Where to buy? Thank you.

Hi, I am trying to find a tension rod system room divider and have posted some information on the two I found on my blog. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

http://roomdivide.blogspot.com/

what *is* that last photo?

Check out this modern translucent room divider wall system at www.idividewalls.com