Design with Japanese Obi by Diane Wiltshire

Design with Japanese Obi by Diane Wiltshire

Japanese Obi or sashes are colorful pieces of fabric that can be used to great effect in interior decorating as well as traditional Japanese dress.

In Design with Japanese Obi, the authors present the obi as it is being used in interiors today, demonstrating simple yet striking techniques for making these exquisite kimono sashes the centerpiece of any room's decor. The focus is on seven key uses for obi that are applicable to nearly any setting imaginable, such as:

• Artistic table arrangements
• Dining room accents
• Framing enhancements
• Fabric coverings

These and other dramatic and innovative uses of obi in interior design and decoration are presented along with such essentials as color coordination, fabric shaping, and accessories for hanging obi. The vivid photographs in this book present some of the most elegant interiors the authors have found, from Tokyo to Washington D.C., and show the obi being used in today's homes to create a sumptuous, refined, and modern ambiance.

Diane Wiltshire, during thirteen years in Japan, decorated the homes of numerous Japanese and Westerners, experimenting with using obi in new and exciting ways. As a buyer for East West Anitques in Mississippi, Diane visits auctions, warehouses, and shrine sales throughout Japan, always searching for unique and beautiful obi. She is perhaps best known for her guidebook, Japan for Kids.

Ann Wiltshire started her business, East West Antiques, together with her daughter Diane in 1984. Today the company carries a large selection of Japanese obi an accessories, and has an international clientele. An acknowledged expert in the field, she lectures frequently on the obi at various museums and elsewhere, and was a featured speaker at the Asian Arts and Lecture series presented by Gump's department store in San Francisco.