18. Woven Cane Webbing & Natural Ash Wood Arch Screen
Introduction
Bohemian warmth meets Scandinavian design in this arched timber partition. The open-weave rattan cane webbing softens hard geometric room lines with breezy organic textures.
What This Idea Means
A lightweight wooden partition frame featuring sweeping curved top arches filled with natural octagonal or radio-weave rattan cane mesh.
How to Make It
- Cut curved arched top rails from wide 2×10 Ash or Beech boards using a bandsaw or jigsaw, sanding smooth to match a templated curve.
- Assemble the main frame with curved arches over straight vertical side stiles using mortise-and-tenon or dowel joints.
- Route a 1/4-inch deep spline groove around the perimeter of each inner arched opening.
- Soak natural woven cane webbing in warm water for 30 to 45 minutes to make the fibers pliable.
- Lay the damp cane over the opening, pulling it taut, and press the cane edges into the routed groove using a wedge tool and rubber mallet.
- Drive a matching reed spline with wood glue into the groove to lock the cane in place; trim excess cane with a utility knife.
- As the cane dries, it shrinks and tightens like a drum. Finish the wood frame with clear matte wax.
Tips and Variations
- Multi-Panel Folding Screen: Connect three arched panels with two-way folding brass hinges to create a movable, freestanding room divider screen.
- Solid Bottom Panel: Install solid wood tongue-and-groove boards in the lower third of the screen and cane webbing in the upper arches for balanced weight.
Materials & Tools Needed
- Solid Ash, Beech, or Oak lumber (including wide stock for arches)
- Rolls of pre-woven natural rattan cane webbing
- Rattan reed spline and spline wedge drive tools
- Bandsaw, jigsaw, and plunge router with spline bit
- Water soaking tub and utility knife
- Two-way folding hinges (if making a folding screen)