Nate Berkus and LiltyBunn Weekes with fotdingscreens by Arteriors,teft, and Decorative CraftsSee Resources. [.

'A screen adds instant architecture to a space,'

says Berkus, who often places one behind a bed orsofa for a Iayered look. "A good interior should feelas though it has been assembled over time"'

Decorator Lilly Bunn Weekes points to classicuses-partitioning a room or filling a dark corner-as well as more unusual ones, such as using a screen

as a backdrop for artwork. "It's so versatile," she

says. "A screen can be your headboard one day, and

THE EXPERTS

NATE BERKUSKnown for his polished inte-riors,the NewYork baseddestgner also creates Productsfor Target and is working ona new teLevision Project. Histatest book, The Things ThotMot[er, was prblished in 20l2noteberkus.com

LILLY BUNN WEEKESAfter honing her eye atMcMitlen, Bunn Weekes[aunched her Practice threeyears ago. Current Projectsinclude a chic, famiLY f riendlYnouse in Water Mitt. New York.

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Tffiffi YffiP X* ffiffiLffiX€qG SfrMHffiNSDesigners Lilly Bunn Weekes and Nate Berkus take a stand in favor of these

old-ichool accessories, which prove surprisingly versatile even today

The folding screen's glamour tends to overshadowits practicality. Coco Chanel famously decked thewalls of her Paris apartment with antique Coro-mandel screens, and many designers ofher day-including Eileen Gray and Jean Dunand-createdexquisite examples of their own.

But for centuries, the screen played an importantdual role: "to conceal, and to trap heat," explainsdesigner Nate Berkus. Today's homes may be Iess

drafty, but the piece still has many applications'

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122 ELLEDECOR,COlV]

TRUTH IN DtrCORATING

J EVESCREENBYMTTCHELLGOLD+BOBWILLIAMSWith its uphotstered panets and nailhead trim, this screen is perfect for a bedroomor library, according to Litty Bunn Weekes. "tt has a sense of intimacy," she says,

noting that she'd use it in lieu of a headboald. "l like the curved top," adds Nate Berkus"lt gives it a chic, Louis XV-styte look."Afour-panet version and other uphotsteryoptions are availabte. 76" h. x 57" w. x 3" d.; Sl,96O as shown; mgbwhome.com

r , GRATE ROOM DIVIDERBYWAYBORNTo Berkus, the crisp geometryof this hand-carved birchscreen lends it a midcenturYfeet; "lt needs a 1960sbar cart in f ront of it." BunnWeekes sees it in a 20-something's studio, dividingsleeping and living areaswithout btocking tight. "lt'sa good transitionaI piece,"she says-the screen coutdeasily move into the bedroomor entry of a subsequentapartment. 78" h. x 54" w. x2" d.: S48O; wayfair.com

: WEATHEREDOAKSCREEN BY RESTORATIONHARDWAREModeled after an EngtishRegency antique, this gener-ously scaled screen Pairs anoak f rame with reverse-paintedmirror. Bunn Weekes Picturesjt as a dressing screen in a poot-house, or brightening up a cor-ner. "lt's versatite, if you haveroom for it," she says. Berkuspraises the handsome finishes."This is a game-changer inany space," he says. 8o'h. x82'w. x 2" d.: 51,495; rh.com

r. ] DYNASTYSCREEN BYBERNHARDT FURNITUREThis lacquered screen, insPiredby a door in London, rem!ndsBerkus of beautifulty detaitedarchitectural artifacts. "l loveusing pieces [ike this that haveheft and character and age tothem," he says. He envisionsit by a f ireplace, alongside aclub chair and floor lamp. ToBunn Weekes, the gtossy finishcatls for a high-styte interior."This is masculine and gtam-orous atthe same time," sheexplains. 83" h. x 72" w.x2' d.i51,565; bernhardt.com

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.i PAINTED FOLDINGSCREEN 3049 BYDECORATIVE CRAFTSFeaturing a hand-painted chi-noiserie scene over antiquedsitver [eaf, this screen (avaitableto the trade) offers the [ookof botd waltpaper without thecommitment, Bunn Weekespoints out. "ln a modern diningroom with a Saarinen table,it cou ld be the one traditionalelement," she says. Berkusagrees: "lt woutd be interestingto mix it with 197Os Lucitechairs." 78" h. x 72" w. x'1" d.;S2,Ooo; decorativecrafts.com

The opinions featured are those ofELIE DECOR's gues t experts and do not necessarily represent those ofthe editorsAllmeasurements and prices are approximdte.