Details, details, details . . .

Yes, it's true that decorating distinction lies in details - it's those little finishing touches and unusual twists and turns that can help make any room entirely unique. And isn't that what all homeowners want - an easy way to make their home stand out from the next home on the block.

But how does one go about creating something utterly unique? To put your personal mark of creativity in your home, why not do what many professional interior designers do? Head for the border - wallpaper border.

Border Versatilities

Wallpaper borders are among the most versatile of decorating tools available to the homeowner today. There are so many patterns, colors and textures to choose from (everything from swaying palm trees to traditional to borders for your child's bedroom) at area home improvement stores as well as home decorating and design centers. It's easy to spend hours hunting for just the right border for your home.

Wallpaper borders are quite affordable and easy to install. Nearly any wall takes on a more finished, sophisticated look with the addition of a border. But to achieve real distinction, think beyond merely adding a border along the top of the wall. Think unique, unusual and most of all use your creativity to add some pizzazz to a dull room.

Bright Ideas

For new ideas, look up and look down. In other words, steer clear of the ordinary and look to the extraordinary.

Consider placing a decorative border on the ceiling itself, connecting that often-ignored overhead expanse to the walls. This technique is something that most decorators often refer to the ceiling as "the fifth wall," another palette on which to apply their art. By surrounding a room, at the ceiling, with a continuous, unobstructed border, you create a "tray" effect that visually holds the room together.

Nowhere is this technique more useful than in the kitchen. Kitchens - the place where families spend so much of their time - typically contain permanent appliances and cabinets that separate wall space. By installing an elegant print border above the crown molding, the overall space can be unified while also giving the room greater depth and height.

Making Transitions Easy

A border can also provide a visual transition between the kitchen and the living room beyond it.

Another technique called double bordering, more than doubles your creativity. By combining two borders, you can create a truly custom border in the living room or great room for a wonderful look that will have the neighbors talking.

There are also die-cut borders, which provide sculptured-edge detailing that was once only achieved only by tedious hand trimming around a pattern.

To install a double custom border, combine the two patterns on a table, positioning them exactly the way you want them to overlap and join. Measure their combined width. Beginning at the point where the ceiling meets the wall, make a light pencil mark on the ceiling to show how far your custom double-border will extend onto the ceiling. Install the straight border first, and then overlap it with the sculptured design. This idea works equally well along the bottom of walls, at chair rail height, or wherever else you want to surprise the eye with something special.

Now that you're on a roll, the fun shouldn't stop there. Why not use your border leftovers to decorate a hat box or a group of shoe boxes and make the inside of your guest room closet as appealing - and unique - as the room itself that you've created?

Who knows? Maybe you'll start a new trend.