A Decorated Life

Ribbon purveyor Nicholas Kniel parlays the splendorous stock of adornments at his Sandy Springs boutique into a published look at this often under-regarded decorative art

Text: Kate Abney

Following a career as a couturier, when he discovered that high quality ribbons and trimmings were nearly impossible to find outside of New York or Europe, Nicholas Kniel opened his high-end Sandy Springs ribbon boutique in 2000, Nicholas Kniel—Fine Ribbons & Embellishments. Since then, he's teamed up with artist and poet Timothy Wright to publish Ribbon: The Art of Adornment (Gibbs Smith, $39.95), to address curiosities and inspire people much like those who come into his shop. A compilation of ribbon ideas and applications recorded in Kniel's notebooks over the years, the book details the intricate, illustrious history of ribbon as an art form, its appearance in Renaissance and Rococo motifs, and ways to incorporate it into everything from table settings, to holiday trimmings, to wedding cakes. Stop by Kniel's shop to see the magic come to life. 290 Hilderbrand Dr., Suite B16, Atlanta, 30328. (404) 252-8855;
nicholaskniel.com. (800) 835-4993; gibbs-smith.com to order.