Using Ribbon And Borders To Accent Your Walls
Good day, design friends! Peggi here. How has April been treating you? She’s delivered her signature showers (and a few errant hailstorms) in these parts, but we’ve flung open the windows regardless. Between the burgeoning blooms and mounting mercury, I’m feeling energized. I’m especially stoked about today’s post! Who gets excited by ribbon trim and wallpaper borders? This girl. I first beheld ribbon used to accent walls in this tour over a decade ago, but Sarah’s recent guest room reveal reignited my embellishment enthusiasm. If you’re seeking a bit of design diversion, click through for details on my affection for this look, material and layout recommendations, and of course, a passel of inspiration!
Let me explain what I love about festooning walls with ribbon. Everything. For starters, installation could not be easier. Miter saw and caulk gun begone! You will need sharp scissors and a level, but ribbon can be attached with double-sided tape, various glues, teensy finish nails or decorative tacks. Another advantage of these attachment techniques? Removal is a snap. Making this a perfect project for renters, skeptics and serial redecorators alike. The vast assortment of ribbon also lends itself to myriad styles. Whatever your aesthetic, the perfect complement awaits. My favorite aspect though is how this application appears timeless yet unconventional. Subtle and impactful. Honestly, what else could you want?
Now, we should discuss suitable ribbon. Although a determined DIYer could make anything work, for ease, seek opaque, non-directional, flexible tape trim. I’m partial to humble grosgrain. Available in a variety of widths and colors (even patterns), it offers delicate texture, ready accessibility, and a reasonable price. The original example, and still tops in my book, employed studded jute. That delicious tactile duo can’t be beat. Smooth metal plus coarse fiber. Yum. For a refined, elegant take, consider the broad range of luxe velvet and embroidered drapery trims. While these offer countless sophisticated colors and classic patterns, they do rank as the priciest option. Simple, edgy, or opulent. You decide!
Click right on the images to be redirected to the source, or use the numbered links below to shop my finds.
01: black & white stitched grosgrain // 02: brown gingham // 03: gray & red jacquard // 04: brown & tan jacquard // 05: black & white celtic chain // 06: schumacher wallpaper border // 07: solid grosgrain // 08: wide neutral embroidered trim // 09: green satin organza // 10: neutral swirls // 11: palest pink basketweave // 12: brass tacks //
Since the selection of ribbon seems nearly infinite, I chose only a small sampling to get your wheels turning. I’m imagining #3 in a sophisticated dining room. Number 11 is positively begging to outfit a posh closet. And ignoring my own advice, I want to use #9 on pale blue or sand walls to create soft strips of stripes! Many of these come in additional colors, so click through to find something just right for your project. Several are sourced from the same Etsy vendor (4, 8, 10 and 11) who features a phenomenal selection of jacquard trims at great prices. One point to note is that this type of application can require a lot of ribbon. I’ll let you complete your own calculations. Ha. For reference though, my modest-sized undertaking required almost 100 yards, so this may necessitate more than a trip to your local craft store.
Since we’ve tackled uncommon wall adornments, let’s address traditional wallpaper borders. I hear your groans, and I understand. As a person who removed unappealing examples from four rooms, I did not immediately embrace their resurgence. However, seeing beautiful, modern patterns helped reduce my resistance. Although designer offerings remain somewhat limited, trusted companies like Schumacher, Cole & Son, and Salvesen Graham have released classic, graphic motifs. If a more conventional route interests you, these merit consideration.
So you’ve selected a ribbon (or a border)! Now…to determine the placement. Outline everything! Frame a few wallpaper panels. Run a length along the door casing, crown and chair rail. Affix a sliver just at the ceiling. Use a wider ribbon or border to create broadly-spaced vertical stripes. So many ideas! For my bedroom refresh, I created boxes to mimic panel moulding and ran an additional strip at the ceiling and baseboard. Currently eyeing all the humdrum walls in my house.
Well? What do you think? I’m always anxious to hear your opinions! Can you imagine adding this sort of detail to your home? I was hoping to share an image or two of my own ribbon adventure, but my “quick, fun DIY” morphed into drywall repairs, light fixtures, window blinds… Can you relate? I’m excited about the results, just not the timeframe. I’d love to hear how your home renovations are progressing. Who’s ahead of schedule? Lol. Pop into the comments and say hello. Until next time.
