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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Animals as accessories: They try to be helpful, but…

Annie Elliott | February 10, 2012

The other day I was sitting in a furniture showroom, waiting for the rep. to get me some pricing. I picked up the big fat catalog on her desk and flipped to the back: “Accessories.”

Gentle Readers, what I saw shocked me. Did you have any idea that animals throughout the world are being forced into servitude in the name of home accessories? I mean, they HAVE to be forced. No self-respecting creature would volunteer for this.

I know birds are everywhere right now, but should they really be offering you toilet paper?

Bird on branch toilet paper holder

And dogs – shouldn’t he have a bone in his mouth? Or a pheasant?

Puppy offering you toilet paper

Let me ask you this: after I accept the proffered toilet paper, am I expected to maintain eye contact as I put it to use? Or do I look away and pretend I’m not being watched? What’s the etiquette here?

Ah, I see: the monkey politely turns his back.

Bizarre monkey toilet paper holder

(He looks like he’s about to need some TP himself.)

Holy crap. Is this crocodile smoking?

Crocodile smoking a cigar and offering you some soap

The frogs have it the worst. They choke on your tape…

Frog tape dispenser

Ensure that your business cards are close at hand, near your snacks…

Frog business card holder

And have your pen at the ready.

Frog pen holder

(See the crowns? These frogs were princes at one time, probably.)

I think the look on this guy’s face says it all:

Sad frog holding soap

Clearly this is not a happy situation. I’m sure they get breaks sometimes,

Frog reading a book statuette accessory
Octopus wine holder

But probably not that often.

I don’t want to tell you what company this is, because some of their furniture is quite nice. But holy cow.

Wait, scratch that. I don’t even want to know what the cows are up to.

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

Category: AccessoriesTag: animal accessories, animal bath accessories, bizarre bathroom accessories, frog accessories, frogs with crowns, home accessories, home bath accessories, squirrel accessories, toilet paper holder

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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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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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