tied and true

marketplace
W R I T T E N A N D PR O D U C E D B Y K R I S S A R O S S B U N D
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y P E T E R K R U MHARDT
ADORATION OF ADORNMENT
LEADS A CREATIVE SPIRIT TO
A LIFE OF GREAT LENGTHS
Nicholas Kniel’s career is a story of
embellishments—with lengths of gorgeous
ribbon and trim, that is. Every day at his
Atlanta-based store, Nicholas Kniel Fine
Ribbons & Embellishments, an expansive
array (think thousands) of spools wound
with ribbons, trims, and millinery items
encompasses him as he transforms these
notions into fashionable flowers, bulletin
boards, gift-wrapping masterpieces, and
couture accessories.
tied andtrue
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Ribbons
give panache
to packages,
jewelry—and
even furniture
Nicholas Kniel tantalizes recipients
of his gifts with packages that
delight. Coordinating ribbons and
papers mix colors and textures.
Elements from nature, such as the
vibrant peacock feathers that inspired
the palette for this regal ensemble,
add further luxurious notes.
“Ribbon adds an element of luxury
to the ordinary,” explains Nicholas.
“Until the 20th century, ribbon was a
status symbol that only the wealthy
could afford. Now there is something
for everyone.”
His book, Ribbon: The Art of
Adornment (Gibbs Smith, 2008), is an
arresting account of ribbon—its history
and its unexpected uses—illustrated by
hundreds of stunning photos.
We asked Nicholas to decorate
some of our favorite merchandise with
his lavish materials to show how just
about anything can benefit from a
piece of ribbon, even if it’s only until
that bow is untied.
Tip Clip
Festoon a napkin
with layers of ribbon.
“Sauvage” porcelain
dinnerware, from
$75; Bernardaud
(bernardaud.fr).
“Lace” service plate,
$115; Mottahedeh
(mottahedeh.com).
Silk napkin from
Schumacher
(fschumacher.com).
FOR RIBBON TIPS FROM Nicholas
Kniel, go to gettag.mobi on your
smartphone and download the
free Tag Reader app. Hold your
phone over this coded tag and
snap it. You can also find the
video at traditionalhome.com.
Follow Nicholas’s example,
and add your own ribbon.
Laminated fabric
tote bags, $56;
Anna Griffin
(annagriffin.com).
For more color, Nicholas
embellishes a chain
with ribbons. Pendants
made of domino
and Scrabble pieces
topped with Japanese
papers, $28–$30 each;
Sisteria Designs
(sisteriadesigns.com).
Dress up a chair with flamboyant
ribbon. “Elkins” armchair, $1,700;
Grace Home Furnishings
(gracehomefurnishings.com).
Wrap candles
in ribbon for
sparkly holiday
bling.“Fern and
Peacock” striped
candles, $24 for
two; Ana Candles
(fivestripes.com).
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Black-and-white feathers tucked into a
napkin ring give this place setting pizzazz.
“Farahnaz” hand-painted porcelain, $870
for five pieces; Robert Haviland &
C. Parlon through Mottahedeh
(mottahedeh.com). Napkin with
crochet trim; Nuko
Creations
(nukocreations
@aol.com).
“Corset” pillows in blue mist and
flax, and “Aster” pillow in camel,
$221 each, complete with
adornments; Daniel Stuart Studio
(danielstuartstudio.com).
Hang ornaments
with pretty ribbons.
“Snowflake,” $75;
Swarovski crystal
(swarovski.com),
and “Gui Opale”
holly ornament,
$125; Lalique
(lalique.com).
Decorate with ribbons that match
your decor for a custom touch.
Silver candy jar-style soy candles,
$18–$28; Himalayan Trading Post
(himalayantradingpost.com).
“Scarlett” chair
with corseted back,
$3,012; Pal + Smith
(palandsmith.com).
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Nicholas threads silk
ribbon through the
chain handle of an
evening bag topped
with a silk rosette.
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“Fuller,” $189, and
“Randee,” $219,
satin shoes with
ribbon detailing;
Badgley Mischka
(zapposcouture.com).
The hallmark of Nicholas’s
shop is the rosettes he
creates by folding, gathering,
sewing, and fraying.
Choose an attractive ribbon to hold your
place in a good book, as here in A Life of
Style by Rebecca Moses (Random House;
$35); available at your local bookstore.
Cover a bulletin board
with ribbon and bold
houndstooth fabric
#29992; Kravet
(kravet.com). Photo
Christmas card;
Minted (minted.com).
RIBBON WONDERLAND
“Wrapping a gift with paper and ribbons extends an opportunity to be
creative,” says Nicholas Kniel. “And the gesture indicates that the giver
gave extra thought to the person they are giving the gift to.” Here’s his
advice for planning a year’s worth of memorable gift-wrapping:
CORRAL SUPPLIES so they are all together when you need them;
ORGANIZE RIBBON by color in see-through containers;
SELECT A SIGNATURE PAPER that reflects your personalty and style
and that, with a change of ribbon, will work for any occasion.
24 HOLIDAY 2010 traditionalhome.com
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When entertaining
calls for placecards,
grace them with a
ribbon. Use strong
adhesive to add the
guests’ embroidered
or appliquéd initials
to solid-colored
ribbon—or even use
stickers. Position a
ribbon under each
place setting.
Personalized,
illustrated holiday
gift tags with
coordinating ribbon
ties, starting at $28;
Lobird (lobird.com).
Thread ribbon
through a
pendant’s bale
for a filmy effect.
“Fleur-de-Lis”
Nymphenburg
pendant, $539,
and chain, $279;
Kneen & Co.
(kneenandco.com).
Nicholas overlaps, glues,
and otherwise fashions
decorative trim into
cuffs that he slips
over basic votives.
Stretch beaded ribbon
over metal cuff bracelets; attach
a crystal brooch for extra glamour.
details:
Nicholas Kniel
Fine Ribbons &
Embellishments;
404/252-8855;
nicholaskniel.com.
26 HOLIDAY 2010 traditionalhome.com
Nicholas creates a dazzling
wreath by turning varying
shades of green taffeta
into leaf shapes that he
applies to a Styrofoam form
and embellishes with
purple crystal beads.
A distinctive bow aids instant
recognition. Handcrafted
luggage, Globe-Trotter
(globe-trotterltd.com).