New York City, New York - January 27, 2005 - High profile interior designers and architects searching for a unique material to feature in their commercial and upscale residential creations have discovered Washi - Japanese handcrafted paper. Designers throughout the country converged at last week's opening reception of Precious Pieces to explore the unique combination of contemporary design with traditional Japanese elements. The Washi parchment on display at the showroom located on 259 E 10th Street, New York City is not available anywhere else in the United States or Japan.

What is Washi?
With a history of over 1,500 years, Washi is a highly respected craft involving the skills of brilliant artisans and the labor of entire villages. This luxury paper is prized as much for its beauty as its utility. The Washi parchment is made from all natural paper fibers including mulberry, shikoku daphne, bamboo, rice and wheat making it an excellent choice for "green" design projects.

How is Washi used?
Washi is an artisan paper that is both durable and lightweight. Unmatched in its versatility, Washi holds endless possibilities for use in any interior design application including lighting, wall and ceiling coverings, and even menus. Precious Pieces owner Hiro Odairo explains, "We specialize in creating custom seemless sheets up to 30 x 100 feet so truly the only limit is your imagination."

Where Can Washi pieces be viewed?
Washi creations are on display at the the Precious Pieces showroom which is open to the public, as well as the following restaurants throughout New York City: Ito En Tea Store (822 Madison), Radisson Hotel Lobby Sushi Bar (511 Lexington Ave.) Hedeh Japanese Restaurant (57 Great Jones St.), and Cha-An (230 East 9th St.). The Haneda Airport and Roppongi Hills in Toyko also provide breathtaking visions using the art of Washi.

For more information on Washi
Project photos and more can be viewed at:
www.precious-piece.com or call 215-598-5903. Editors, please visit the media tab for releases and downloadable photos.