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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

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Black and blue (and brass): 2014’s edgy color combo

Annie Elliott | January 18, 2014

Remember how I said that a bossy color goal for 2014 was to use ever-edgier color combinations? And I mentioned black and blue as one of those combos?

Well, I’ve decided that this particular color pairing is worthy of more attention. Turns out I started using black and blue together last year without really registering it:

Blue, black and white dining room by bossy color

But we can go a lot farther, don’t you think? Especially with darker blues…

Black and blue: blue wall tile, lacquer door and claw foot tub

TWO blues plus black (three blues if you count Marilyn) = even edgier.

Black and blue: blue, light blue, and black living room

This makes me want to cry, it’s so amazing.
Black and blue: blue lacquered walls with black star wallpaper ceiling Black and blue: black, blue and white geometric tiled floorBlack and blue: navy twin bedding against gray fabric wall with black frames

Here’s the thing, though. I think dark blue and black needs a dash of warmth to be truly successful. Warmth in the form of, say…brass.

Black and blue: Blue restaurant walls with brass light fixtures

Or camel-colored leather.

Black and blue: black, blue and camel living room

Or old, foxed paper.

Black and blue: black gallery wall with warm brass accents

But brass is the best, given its warmth AND shine.

Black and blue and brass: Emily Henderson designed bedroom

I think Emily Henderson is singlehandedly responsible for bringing brass back as today’s metal of choice. (She designed the bedroom above….if Jamie Drake is my style hero, Emily Henderson is Bossette Katherine’s.)

I’ve always chosen brass for house hardware — hinges, doorknob plates, etc. — but I  wasn’t bold enough to use it for faucets or light fixtures right away. Girls’ got cojones, Emily does. Made of brass, obviously.

Black and blue: Blue velvet sofa against black walls with brass lamp

Try some black ‘n blue, Gentle Readers. Then add a dash of brass, give yourself a high five, and marvel at your handiwork.

Quoted most recently in The Wall Street Journal and on Washingtonian.com, Annie Elliott is an expert in curated interiors, brilliant color palettes, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.

Category: Bedroom, Color + paint color, Kitchen + bath, Living Room + Family RoomTag: black and blue, black walls, blue butler's pantry, blue dining room, blue living room, blue velvet sofa, blue wall tile, blue walls, brass, brass light fixture, Emily Henderson, Jamie Drake, navy blue

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Oct 8

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My prescription for the perfect autumn afternoon? A plush sofa, a good book, and a room that wraps you up like a hug. I used this brilliant wallpaper by Cole & Son in a NYC study to create a room that’s wonderfully snug. The paper is a bit whimsical, incredibly chic, and the perfect backdrop for getting lost in a story. Here’s to rooms that feel like a retreat from the world. 🍂#CosySesson #FallVibes #HomeOfficeDesign #WallpaperWedbesday #LibraryLife #ReadingNook #InteriorDesign #NYCDesign #CozyCorner #HyggeHome

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Oct 7

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Fellow jurist Marika Meyer and me at the Home & Design Excellence in Design Awards Gala last night! It was an honor to judge the submissions and attend the celebration. My heartfelt congratulations to all of the honorees ! Cheers to your hard work and dedication to our craft.

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Oct 3

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Recently, I’ve been thinking about how to keep our homes joyful as the days get shorter (and shorter…). The easiest way — since wallpapering on a whim is something only crazy people like me do — is to bring a dash of nature inside. In this North Cleveland Park dining room, we wrapped the walls in a gorgeous silk wall covering to provide a quiet yet glamorous backdrop for the client’s Chinese silk rug and antiques. The clean-lined Minotti dining table and iconic Foscarini pendant bring modern elements into the space. But the final, life-giving touch is the plants. Or the plant-like elements 😊 The mini-shrubs marching down the dining table and the dramatic leaves against the walls are wonderful, aren’t they? Those dashes of green breath life into the room and make it feel fresh and alive. It’s so easy to cram a bunch of branches (hi, Trader Joe’s) into a vase and set it on a sideboard or table. You can’t believe how this simple gesture will life your spirits on a cooling fall day. #DiningRoomDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxeLiving #GoldAndGreen #DesignDetails #DCDesign #FallDecor #BringTheOutfoorsIn

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Oct 1

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In this edition of Wallpaper Wednesday: Wallpaper as art. Art doesn’t always need a frame. Sometimes, the walls themselves are the gallery walls.Case in point: this powder room in Cleveland Park. We wrapped the walls in an incredible trompe-l’œil wallpaper by Manuel Canovas to transform a tiny space into an immersive experience.A powder room is the perfect place for drama and delight—a place that offers an unexpected, charming moment for your guests. Every room deserves to tell a story…specially the small ones.#ArtInTheBath #PowderRoomDesign #StatementWallpaper #TrompeLoeil #HistoricHome #DCDesign #ClevelandPark #JewelBoxRoom #UnexpectedBeauty

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Sep 28

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There’s a reason our motto at Annie Elliot Design is “Where classic and modern hang out and drink gin.” I’m often asked about my design style, and the truth is, I love when classic and modern are friends. In fact, I think they make the very best of friends. Here’s why: Think of it as a great conversation. Classic is the friend who brings the history, the soul, and the wonderful stories. It’s like an heirloom chest with a beautiful patina: it makes a room feel grounded and personal. Modern is the friend who brings a fresh perspective and keeps things from feeling stuffy. It’s the clean-lined sofa, sculptural lamp, or piece of abstract art…it’s the item that makes you see things differently. When you put them together in the same room? That’s where the magic is. The elements balance each other to make the room feel intentional, collected, and stylish. That mix of classic and modern creates a home with a story. And isn’t that what we all want? #ClassicAndModern #TimelessDesign #DesignPhilosophy #CollectedHome #MixedStyles #InteriorDesign #GeorgetownDC #DCDesign #InteriorDesignTips #Gin

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Sep 26

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Is there a word more perfect for this time of year than “hygge”? That Danish concept o f cozy contentment, of finding joy in the simple, comforting moments. . . to me, this living room is hygge epitomized. It’s all in the layers: the textured grasscloth on the walls, the warm glow of the fire, the soft leather you can sink into, and the perfect lighting for curling up with a good book. It’s about how all the elements work together to create a feeling of satisfying warmth. As the days get shorter and the air gets cooler, this is the kind of soulful, inviting space we all deserve to come home to. Wishing you all a very hygge season. 🍂#HyggeHome #CozyVibes #AutumnInteriors #LivingRoomDesign #FallFeeling #InteriorDesign #GeorgetownDC #DCDesign #ComfortAndStyle #FireplaceSeason

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Sep 24

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It’s Wallpaper Wednesday! Here’s another icon to brighten our day: Schumacher’s Chiang Mai. Shockingly, @schumacher1889 didn’t create its Chiang Mai pattern until 2006; it’s so ubiquitous I assumed it’s been around forever. The modern chinoiserie allegedly was inspired by an Art Deco block print, but I don’t see it :) The color way Alabaster is shown in the cover photo, but I argue that the Aquamarine is just as well known. The Jade is pretty amazing though - we recently used it in a stairwell. I gotta confess that with all of the amazing colors this wallpaper contains, I don’t quite see the point of the black and white “Smoke” colorway… I call Chiang Mai “the magic wallpaper” because it works anywhere. Literally 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. #WallpaperWedesnday #schumacher1889 #chiangmaidragon #StatementWallpaper #InteriorDesign #HomeDecorInspo #DCDesign

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Sep 22

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September is flying by, and soon (hopefully!) it will be crisp and cool. I, for one, am EXCITED to focus on indoor activities for a while! A dedicated game room is the ideal place to spend your “inside time” — especially with friends. We designed this Chevy Chase game room to be the ultimate hangout for two teenagers, and believe me: it gets a lot of use! The star of the room, of course, is an unapologetically bold tiger-patterned wallpaper by Clarence House. Who knew that a wallpaper could be fun AND sophisticated? ;) There’s something for everyone in this stylish yet livable space. Let the memory-making commence. #GameRoom #SeptemberStyle #CozyHome #FamilyFriendlyDesign #WallpaperWednesday #StatementWallpaper #PatternPlay #ChevyChaseDC #DCDesign #InteriorDesign

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Sep 18

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There’s something about the crisp autumn air that has me dreaming in jewel tones. As we crawl into cozy sweaters, I start craving interiors that are just as rich and comforting. This North Cleveland Park living room is a jewel box fantasy come to life. We went all in, drenching the walls and trim in a deep, luscious aubergine and pairing those with a sumptuous emerald green sofa. The custom floral window treatments (Timorous Beasties) tie it all together. It’s a bold move, but see how the aubergine walls create an enveloping space that feels incredibly warm? This is my wish for you: don’t fear color this season! Be bold. Be vibrant. Winter lasts far too long to be surrounded by grays and beiges. Swipe for more angles. 💎#JewelTones #FallForColor #ColorDrenching #InteriorDesign #MaximalistDecor #EmeraldGreen #LivingRoomInspo #DCDesign #BoldDesign #ColorLover
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