There are certain relics of 1980s decorating—swagged curtains, saccharine pastels, bedroom-in-a-box suites—better left in the past. Wallpaper borders, however, aren’t among them. In the 18th century, they became popular as both embellishment and problem-solver, used to disguise tacks, gaps, or the cut ends of larger wallpaper panels.
Today, designers are rediscovering borders’ ability to instantly change a room’s mood, highlight architecture, or even create it from scratch. From new takes on historic patterns to boldly graphic motifs from modern-day makers, our favorites prove that a bit of extra embellishment needn’t be, well, extra.
Check out our gallery below to see how a roster of buzz-worthy decorators are making wallpaper borders feel fabulously fresh!
Shop the Story
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Berrien House Dentil by Adelphi Paper Hangings
Available through adelphipaperhangings
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Lola Montez by Madeleine Castaing for Edmond Petit
Available through kravet.com
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Pearl by Adelphi Paper Hangings
Available through adelphipaperhangings
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Svedjan by Lim & Handtryck
Available through limohandtryck.se
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Egg and Dart by Adelphi Paper Hangings
Available through adelphipaperhangings
.com -
Thessaloniki by Långelid/von Brömssen
Available through langelidvonbromssen
.com -
Otis Federal Chain Border by Adelphi Paper Hangings
Available through adelphipaperhangings
.com -
Nine Muses by Lim & Handtryck
Available through limohandtryck.se
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Adonis by Studio Atkinson
Available through studio-atkinson.com
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Broderie by Cole & Son
Available through cole-and-son.com
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Ernie by Studio Atkinson
Available through templestudiony.com
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Scroll by Parker & Jules
From £64 per roll, parkerandjules.com
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Zig Zag Stripe by Salvesen Graham
$166 per roll, salvesengraham.com
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Reggie by Studio Atkinson
Available through studio-atkinson.com
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Harlequin Pearl by Fee Greening for CommonRoom
$88 per roll, commonroom.co
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Scallop by Flockhart Fabrics
Available through enquires@evassociates. co.uk
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 14 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!