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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Best of bossy’s colors #1: Windham Cream

Annie Elliott | March 4, 2008

One of the reasons I started this blog is that certain paint colors were delighting my clients again and again, and I wanted to spread the word.

Now, it’s pretty irresponsible of any self-respecting decorator to say, “This color is foolproof,” especially if he/she hasn’t seen your house in person, hasn’t seen your stuff, hasn’t met you and isn’t familiar with your style.

But self-respect is overrated. Use your good judgment, of course, but if you’re really stuck, know that I’ve used these colors in several settings with great results.

Today’s color is…Benjamin Moore‘s HC-6 Windham Cream.


It’s a lovely color: strong enough to be yellow, subtle enough to be cream. It changes with the light, of course, but never for the bad. I’ve used this in at least two living rooms (possibly 3, but I’d have to do some digging – here’s a picture of one of them), a foyer/stairwell, and a baby’s room.


When you consider how many zillions of paint colors there are out there – not to mention paint manufacturers – any color that proves its versatility is worth mentioning.

Category: Color + paint color

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Let’s call it like it is: this library-slash-tv room was…boring. BEFORE: dull, a pass-through space, not inviting. AFTER: So fun! with its shiny purple walls and dramatic window treatments!! Makes you want to stay a while, doesn’t it?

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Nov 4

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This Wallpaper Wednesday we feature Nanjing by @schumacher1889!This  pattern is a modern take on classic chinoiserie motifs: trees, pagodas and fretwork fences. It is named after Nanjing, Jiangsu, East China, one of the four great ancient capitals of China. You may recognize the pattern on your Blue Willow dishes, too :) I used this wallpaper in a client’s Powder Room, and it bring so much energy and brightness to the space. I love the green colorway, too 😊📸 @angieseckinger @schumacher_midatlantic

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Nov 2

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Where do those gorgeous but multitudinous pillows go at night? See some ideas in my latest blog post… 😌#interiordesign #pillowinspo

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Oct 28

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My home is my lab :) As evidenced by my constant tinkering. Today: replacing my own DR chandelier.

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Oct 23

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One could argue that each element in this New York living room is dramatic, from the mirrored (wallpaper) ceilings to the purple sofa. If we had put an antique rug in this room — which, let’s be honest, is often my first thought — the effect could have been dowdy. It would have been cozy, it would have been consistent with the moody vibe, and it still would have been kind of interesting given the other things in the room.But the contemporary rug, Danika by @starkcarpet, makes the room SING. The huge geometric scale is a beautiful contrast to the smaller patterns on the chair and the Roman shade. The light background brightens the room while making the darker colors more intense. And the black…well, black always adds drama.It’s hard to explain, but you see it, right?@schumacher_midatlantic @timorous_beasties @starkcarpet_dc#schustagram

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Oct 21

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Happy Wallpaper Wednesday! This week, we dive into Martinique by CW Stockwell.This small, family-run print facility in Los Angeles was founded in 1905. Clifton Stockwell’s daughter and son-in-law traveled to the Bahamas in 1942 and were so enchanted by the foliage that they collaborated with illustrator and textile designer Albert Stockdale to create a wallpaper pattern. The result was Martinique — also known as “The Original Banana Leaf Print.” (Martinique is not to be confused with Brazilliance by Dorothy Draper 😉 .)Martinique famously adorns the Beverly Hills Hotel’s halls, stairwells, and Fountain Coffee Room.CW Stockwell now sells the Martinique pattern in seven colorways as wallpaper, grasscloth, and linen fabric.@cwstockwell @scalamandre#interiordesign #wallpaperinspo

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Oct 19

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I love this cocoon of a bedroom :) And what makes it REALLY interesting? The red lamps. There’s no other red in the room. Oranges, yes, so the red has something to relate to, but the exact shade appears nowhere else.It’s these unexpected elements that can take a room from beautiful to fabulous.Hats off to: @visualcomfort @cowtanandtout @cowtanwashingtondc#dcdesigner #interiordesign

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Oct 16

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I stand by my decision to drywall the window 🤭. See how we created a dark and cozy boudoir in a spacious sunny condo in DC…#interiordesign #dcdesigner

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Oct 14

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Your bed is the biggest piece of visual real estate in your bedroom. It needs pillows! Check out my latest blog post for ideas about arranging pillows on your bed 🛏️.
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