Question
We live in a Rural Community with a large lot (2.75 Acres) and there are not a lot of trees.  I have planted a few near the house but none are yet large enough to provide shade.  I have an area in the back yard with st. augistine grass.  We have built a fence with a lattice look but the spacing is 1 foot squares on 8' section.  The section I want to design ..the fence is about 24' from the house.  I would like to make something out of a fabric, maybe blue or green, to give a cooler feel to the area. However, with the color of the house and the fence an off white would probably look better.  I had planned on putting large grommets at the corners and attaching to the house and then to the post of the fence.  I don't want to use a square or rectangular tarp.  I want to give it special flare...kind of the WOW factor.  I have seen on a DYI show where they did the same thing, but made it look like a ships sale....rectulangular shape.  I thought I could make about 3 of these and stagger then in opposite directions with a little bit of an opening between each.  I would also angle them downward from the house for drainage.  Do you have any suggestions on a project of this type?  If pictures would help I could email to you, but would need an email address.  Thanks so much!  

Answer
Hi Diana!

What a nice idea!
When I read your message, the first thing that came to my mind was one of the opening scenes of a film called "Ran",
by the famous Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa.
There you'll see something that the Japanese call Tsuitate.
They are partition screens that are still used in Japan.
If you google the word "tsuitate" you'll find a lots of information on them.
You could also look into the work of an artist called Christo. (The one who wraps bridges in fabric).
Please send me pictures to
[email protected]

Keep in touch!

Carlo