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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Bedroom

Child’s bedroom makeover: the challenges of small and north-facing

Annie Elliott | September 13, 2010

Just when you’ve cracked the code, they change the code. That was our conclusion when our twin daughters were babies. The moment you think you’ve nailed down a sleep schedule, food preferences, and personalities, they change. Willfully. Bossy color has news for you, Gentle Readers. The code-changing continues! We really did crack the code on …

Read more »Child’s bedroom makeover: the challenges of small and north-facing
» Bedroom, Color + paint color, Kids

Throw pillows on a bed. An update.

Annie Elliott | September 1, 2010

In our last episode, bossy color apologized for our, how shall we say? lame, lazy attempt at accent pillows on her very own bed. At the time the offense took place, we were focused on the new Galbraith and Paul headboard, with which we were madly in love. We ran out of steam before “finishing …

Read more »Throw pillows on a bed. An update.
» Art + accessories, Bedroom

Have you read “Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure?”

Annie Elliott | August 30, 2010

Yes, yes. Bossy color is aware that Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan's book, Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure came out a few years ago. But I thought about it again this weekend, as I pulled a muscle shoving a vacuum into the far reaches of under-the-bed land.

The clutter in our bedroom had reached an unacceptable level....

Read more »Have you read “Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure?”
» Bedroom, Color + paint color

You asked…about a safari bedroom, Part 2

Annie Elliott | July 6, 2010

Yesterday, a Gentle Reader asked for our guidance in creating a safari-themed bedroom. After discussing wall colors (orange: no; brown or khaki: yes), today bossy color offers this life-changing advice. WINDOWS A grown-up interpretation of the safari concept includes natural materials. Consider natural woven shades on the windows – the grassier the better. (Sometimes these …

Read more »You asked…about a safari bedroom, Part 2
» Art + accessories, Bedroom

You asked…about a safari bedroom, Part 1

Annie Elliott | July 5, 2010

I just found your blog through Young House Love…and I just swoon!! I’m a huge color fan and have always been into Interior Design… We were thinking of a deep orange. We are going for a mildly themed safari/African vibe. I attached pics of our rug and pillows. My question has to do with our …

Read more »You asked…about a safari bedroom, Part 1
» Bedroom, Color + paint color

5 Things to Make your Vacation Rental more Homey

Annie Elliott | June 29, 2010

Aaaahhh. Back in St. Michaels, Maryland. This house isn’t a rental, but neither is it exactly ours. We share it with other family members. Our stay here is temporary. But you know how I like to nest. So this year, I decided to do a few things to make this house, our vacation home, feel …

Read more »5 Things to Make your Vacation Rental more Homey
» Bedroom, Living Room + Family Room

Serenity doesn’t have to be white

Annie Elliott | May 12, 2010

Reader kbfenner left an interesting comment on this post the other day: Oh, dear. I was all hepped on on color after your WashPo chat, and the article, etc. Then I see the Room and Board photos–so serene…so white! What to do? Is it possible to get that clean, light serenity with colors? Naturally, *I* …

Read more »Serenity doesn’t have to be white
» Bedroom, Color + paint color, Kitchen + bath, Living Room + Family Room
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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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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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