Pairing Papers with Borders

What border would you recommend for this paper?

This is a question we are frequently asked by clients- both museum curators and private home owners – when they considering an appropriate trim for a room. Unfortunately, there is not always an easy answer. While some of our sidewall patterns were found with an accompanying border it is not always the case.

Richard Nylander, retired senior curator from Historic New England in Boston and author of Wallpaper in New England (along with Elizabeth Redmond and Penny Sander), has reviewed our sidewall paper offerings and made suggestions for historic choices for borders and friezes. Not all sidewall patterns have recommendations.

Border recommendations are listed at the end of each pattern description; the following list gives the same information.

Key:

O = This border is original to the sidewall pattern
A = This border and colorway, though not originally used with this pattern, are appropriate.
AC = Appropriate design with color changes

1750-1775

Butterfly Chintz: A-Egg and Dart
Chestertown Vine: AC-Buck-Bacchus, Cable Chain, Mock Flock, Floret Border, Strawberry Hill Border
Everard Damask: A-Egg and Dart; AC-Cable Chain, Mock Flock, Walpole Border
Everard Medallion: A-Egg and Dart; AC-Floret Border, Buck-Bacchus, Cable Chain, Strawberry Hill Border
Ipswich Sprig: A-Floret Border; AC-Buck-Bacchus, Cable Chain
Norton Conyers Diamond: A-Cable Chain, Egg and Dart
Pagoda: O-Floret Border
Parson Smith Pillar and Arch: AC-Egg and Dart Border
Sayward Gothic: AC-Mock Flock, Buck-Bacchus, Cable Chain
Strawberry Hill Floret: AC-Cable Chain
Strawberry Hill Plaid: O-Strawberry Hill Border
Strawberry Hill Quatrefoil: AC-Cable Chain
Walpole Damask: O-Walpole Border
Webb House Damask: AC-Cable Chain, Mock Flock, Buck-Bacchus
West St. Mary’s: A-Egg and Dart; AC-Floret Border

1775-1800

1776: A-Diana Border
Arabesque Pigeons: O-Garland and Tassel, LeBaron Border
Arthur and Robert Stripe: O-Anthemion Border
Bacchus: A-Rose and Sprig Border, Lamb’s Tongue Border; AC-Garland and Tassel Frieze & LeBaron Border
Berrien House Sprig: A-Rose and Sprig, Lamb’s Tongue Border
Boston Floral Stripe: A-Rose and Sprig, Lamb’s Tongue Border
Concord Stripe and Vine: A-Rose and Sprig, Lamb’s Tongue
Diana: O-Diana Border
Hamilton Urn: A-Diana Border
Hamilton Urn Stenciled: A-Diana Border
Laurel Trellis: A-Cross Banded Border, Lamb’s Tongue Border , Reveillon Border
Locust Grove Arabesque: O-Locust Grove Frieze
Otis Federal Stripe: O-Otis Federal Chain
Parakeets and Pearls: A-Cross Banded Border, Lamb’s Tongue Border, Reveillon Border
Plymouth Stripe and Vine: A-Otis Federal Chain, Rose and Sprig
Reveillon Arabesque #600: AC-Reveillon Border
Reveillon Arabesque #810: O-Homewood Border
Reveillon Damask: O-Reveillon Border
Stars and Squares: A-Rose and Sprig
Urns and Medallions: AC-Laurel Harlequin Border
Votive Goddess Arabesque: A-Reveillon Border, Homewood Border

1800-1805

Adena Pin Ring: A-Rose and Sprig, LeBaron Border, King Caesar Border, Otis Federal Chain
Bamboo and Drapery: AC-Moses Grant Border
Bees and Stars: A -Reveillon Border, Lamb’s Tongue Border, Greek Key Border (grey), Ribbon Border
Berrien House Trellis: O -Berrien House Dentil Border; AC– Greek Key
Bixby Vine and Drapery: AC– Moses Grant Border
Blue Hill Stripe: AC – Cowing House Border, Laurel Harlequin Border
Coffered Rosette: A – Greek Key Border (grey)
Fancy Ashlar: A – Prentiss House Border, Lion Frieze, Peony Frieze
French Wave: O-Orbes Directoire
Franklin Stripe: O– Franklin Border, Franklin Frieze
King Caesar Stripe: O – King Caesar Border
Laurel Harlequin: O -Laurel Harlequin Border
Madison Damask: AC – Greek Key Border, Van Cortlandt Border
Moses Grant Stripe: O -Rose and Sprig Border
Net: O – Gimp Border or Frieze
Pebbles and Flowerpots: O – Festoon Border
Plymouth Ashlar: AC– Greek Key Border
Prince-Rollins Marble: A– Hermitage Leaf Border, Lion Frieze, Van Cortlandt Border
Ribbon Sprig: A– Sayre Sawtooth Border, Sayre Arcade, Laurel Harlequin Border, Moses Grant Border

1815-1830

Ada Harris: A – Greek Key Border, AC – Cowing House Border
Bull’s Head Medallion: AC – Laurel Harlequin Border, Greek Key Border
Chevron and Laurel: A – Greek Key Border
Circle Ornament: AC – Laurel Harlequin Border, Moses Grant Border
Coffered Squares: AC – Laurel Harlequin Border
Collins Place Medallion: AC – Cowing House Border
Flowerbaskets: AC – Greek Key Border
French Coffered: A -Hermitage Leaf Border, Van Cortlandt Border
Neoclassical Squares: AC – Cowing House Border
Ornament and Stripe: AC – Laurel Harlequin Border
Pawprints and Stripe: AC – Laurel Harlequin Border, Cowing House Border
Toile de la Fontaine: O -Lilac Border
Van Cortlandt Rosette: O -Van Cortlandt Border
Vine and Paisley: O – Greek Key Border, Grapevine Freize
Virchaux Drapery: O – Virchaux Swan Frieze

1830-1860

Beall Foliate: A – Bead and Reel Border, Pearl Border
Bellingham Cary Vine: A – Bead and Reel Border, AC – Palmette Border
Hermitage Maple Leaf: O – Hermitage Leaf Border, A – Prentiss House Border, Van Cortlandt Border, Lion Frieze, Peony Frieze
Hermitage Vine: A – Hermitage Leaf Border, Prentiss House Border, Van Cortlandt Border, Lion Frieze, Peony Frieze, Lilac Border
Persian Volute: A – Bead and Reel Border, AC -Palmette Border
Pineapples: A – Hermitage Leaf Border
Renaissance Strapwork: AC – Bead and Reel Border
Volute: AC – Bead and Reel Border
Wheatlands Volute: A – Bead and Reel Border