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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

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5 accent pillows with just a touch of glam

Annie Elliott | October 6, 2010

Let’s take a breather from bossy color’s living room, shall we? In other areas of our life – i.e., the money-producing part, also known as “work” – we’ve been recommending a lot of accent pillows with just a touch of glam.

We ask you: who couldn’t use a little glamour in their lives?

Exactly.

WHAT: John Robshaw’s Sheesha pillow

WHY: Works surprisingly well in neutral settings; the mirrors add pizzazz. We recommended these on cream sofas in a neutral living room.

John Robshaw's Sheesha pillow

WHAT: John Robshaw’s metallic pillows (we’re counting this as 1 bullet point. It’s our blog. We can.)

WHY: Same reason: the metallic adds sparkle without being too edgy. Wouldn’t the blue one look great on a teenage girl’s bed, or in a neutral living room in the summertime?

John Robshaw's metallic pillows

John Robshaw's Cyan pillow

WHAT: Michele Varian’s Hannah silk pillow

WHY: Yellow and gray is a very popular color combination right now, as you know. The Hannah pillow adds sophistication AND a little fun. No mean feat. (If one is looking for glamour, one really need look no farther than Michele Varian. In addition to her silk pillows, she has appliques, ultrasuedes…very impressive.)

Michele Varian's Hannah pillow

WHAT: Thomas Paul’s Flock pillow in Plum

WHY: The silk is luxe, the pattern is elegant, the color is delicious.

Thomas Paul's Flock pillow

WHAT: Jonathan Adler’s Bargello Puzzle Pillow

WHY: Yes, “WHY?” you may be asking. This is glamour for the sheen-averse. It takes a certain confidence to display a pillow with this much geometry and this many colors. Despite the fact that they have a chunky feel, bossy color would argue that Jonathan Adler’s take on Bargello needlework does indeed have a touch of glam.

Jonathan Adler's Bargello Puzzle pillow

What pillows have YOU found to be the right balance of everyday and glam, Gentle Readers? You know how we love hearing from you.

Annie Elliott – aka bossy color – is an interior decorator and design blogger in Washington, D.C. She has been quoted in publications from The Washington Post to The Seattle Times and is considered an expert on color, residential space planning, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.

Category: Art + accessoriesTag: accent pillow, John Robshaw, Michele Varian, pillows, Thomas Paul, throw pillow

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Oct 7

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Happy Wallpaper Wednesday! Today we’re talking about one of my favorite things in the whole world: grasscloth. (Which technically makes today *Wallcovering* Wednesday, but tomayto tomahto.) Most grasscloth is made of actual grasses that have been washed, dried, bleached or dyed, and glued to paper. Wallcovering made of sisal, seagrass, raffia, or hemp also is placed under the heading “grasscloth.” Talk about timeless style: while grasscloth had a popularity surge in the 1960s and 70s (thanks to a cultural obsession with living in nature), its first known use was in 107 AD, in China ;) Grasscloth has long been appreciated for its insulative properties and durability. From a decorating perspective, I love it because it adds warmth, texture, and dimension to any space. Picture a room painted white, and then imagine that room with an off-white grasscloth on the walls (and, if you’re me, the ceiling). The second room is still light and bright, but it’s cozier and more interesting.Grasscloth can be minimalist in neutral earth tones or maximalist, dyed bold colors, colorfully painted, or appliquéd with spangles, embroidery, or tape trim. It shows its seams when installed, but that’s part of the charm. I love grasscloth in hallways, living spaces, and bedrooms, but I avoid using it in kitchens and steamy bathrooms because I’m nervous about odor retention and excessive moisture.Enough school for the day, but if you remember nothing else: grasscloth enriches every room it graces. Highly recommend.📸 Michael K. Wilkinson@schumacher_midatlantic @schumacher1889 @phillipjeffriesltd

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Oct 3

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You likely know where I stand on pillows: they NEVER should be an afterthought. Check out my latest blog post for recommendations on size, shape, style, and placement. Link in bio. 📸 @stacyzaringoldberg📸 @kipdawkinsphoto📸 @angieseckinger

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Oct 2

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This client’s gorgeous collection of gold icons in the bookcases puts this room in a league of its own. Whenever you have a collection — of ANYTHING: frog figurines, English engravings of flowers or dogs, snow globes — maximize its impact by bringing the objects together and placing them in a prominent place. These icons are breathtaking, and the sheer number invites you to go closer and study them. With reverence.#eastlake #vintagerug #antiquerug

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Sep 28

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Happy Fall! Ironic, isn’t it, that fall weather is cool, but the colors we associate with the season are warm? The earthy orange grasscloth in this foyer is undeniably “fall” to me. Add deep, warm versions of green and blue, et voilà: a cozy, inviting, autumnal space.

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Sep 23

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For this week’s Wallpaper Wednesday we go into the Woods… Woods is a great example of Cole & Son’s innovation in serigraphy, a traditional method of screen printing. The pattern is available on fabric and wallpaper in a variety of soothing yet elegant colorways. Due (I’m sure) to the booming success of the original, there are now some whimsical variations on Woods: Cole & Son added metallic stars to some colorways and pears to others. As you may imagine, however, this traditionalist prefers the original 🙂For some reason, Woods is especially popular for nurseries. Maybe those babies really wanted out of their cribs. 👶🏼In 2005, Woods deservedly won the ELLE Decoration International Design Award for Wallcovering of the Year. And it’s still going strong.

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Sep 22

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“Isn’t ‘modern farmhouse’ over yet?” I loved speaking with @authordinacheney @washingtonpost about the worst interior design trends! Turns out I’m not the only designer with strong opinions 😊@vincentewolfdesigns @kimletgordon @maxsinsteden #interiordesign #washingtonpost #designopinions #annieelliottdesign

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Sep 18

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Best part of being an interior designer is using your own home as a playground for creative ideas! We changed the paint in our living room again and here’s how it looks now! #interiordesign

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Sep 17

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When you become an empty nester, when is it ok to reclaim your adult child’s space? Check out my latest blog post for my recommendations on how to approach empty nesting!📸 @stacyzaringoldberg📸 @kipdawkinsphoto📸 Michael Wilkinson📸 @angieseckinger

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Sep 10

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Pink, green, and a splash of dark orange come together to create this sunny, summery bedroom 🪷
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