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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Furniture + upholstery

1980s floral chintz matching furniture and walls

Matchy-matchy walls and upholstery: Cool again, or too soon?

Annie Elliott | December 1, 2014

Remember in the ’80s, how fashion-forward it was to upholster furniture in the same pattern as the wallpaper? And sometimes carry the pattern onto the drapes, too? Well, everything old is new again…again. I am an ’80s survivor, so you’d think I’d have trouble with this particular “new again.” Au contraire, mon frere! Today’s matchy-matchiness is …

Read more »Matchy-matchy walls and upholstery: Cool again, or too soon?
» Color + paint color, Furniture + upholstery, Wallpaper
Robert Allen's Ming Dragon fabric on Dwell Studio headboard

Robert Allen’s “Ming Dragon” fabric. Rip-off or homage?

Annie Elliott | October 5, 2014

I was thumbing through the Dwell Studio catalog that came this week, and my eye stopped on this picture: Pretty, isn’t it? My first thought was, “Wow, Dwell Studio! Pretty impressive, using Schumacher’s iconic fabric, “Chiang Mai!” (Actually, my first thought wasn’t that eloquent, but that was the gist.) But I was fooled. As I looked closer, I …

Read more »Robert Allen’s “Ming Dragon” fabric. Rip-off or homage?
» Bedroom, Color + paint color, Furniture + upholstery
Anthropologie furniture Boline Chair

Let’s check in with Anthropologie, shall we?

Annie Elliott | August 31, 2014

@AskVirginia just resurrected L.G. Tumbletown’s absolutely hilarious article about Anthropologie furniture and its maddening tendency toward absurdity. Even though Anthro no longer makes many of those particular pieces, you can’t argue with the concept. Unlike my attitude toward Restoration Hardware, however (remember when I wrote them a letter with some constructive criticism?), I view Anthropologie with a mixture of …

Read more »Let’s check in with Anthropologie, shall we?
» Furniture + upholstery
Decorating with black

7 things every man should have in his home

Annie Elliott | May 2, 2014

Inspired by Elle Decor’s list of 10 things every WOMAN needs to have in her home, I offer these suggestions for the testosterone set. Doesn’t matter if you’re gay or straight, partnered or happily single: as a modern man, I believe these are must-haves if you want to move beyond typical “masculine” decor. 1. A room …

Read more »7 things every man should have in his home
» Art + accessories, Color + paint color, Furniture + upholstery, Wallpaper

West Elm’s Martini Table

Annie Elliott | May 7, 2013

New rule: the seventh time I recommend something, I have to blog about it. I’m exaggerating (who, me?), but this little accent piece has come in handy so many times! It’s not right to keep it to myself any longer. I’d like you to meet West Elm’s Martini Table. It’s a stool! It’s a table! …

Read more »West Elm’s Martini Table
» Color + paint color, Furniture + upholstery

Three excellent “lows” for your high/low mix (and for less than $200!)

Annie Elliott | April 9, 2013

Let’s face it: we all love the pricey stuff. It can be prettier, better made, and just more interesting than pieces you buy off-the shelf. But you know how I value the high/low mix. And I keep turning to these three items as my favorite “lows.” 1. Robert Abbey’s Genie Lamp The ubiquitous gourd lamp has …

Read more »Three excellent “lows” for your high/low mix (and for less than $200!)
» Color + paint color, Furniture + upholstery, Lighting, Living Room + Family Room

Thank you, New York Times! Expensive vs. cheap sofas

Annie Elliott | March 3, 2013

Last Thursday, on February 27, the ever entertaining Steven Kurutz was kind enough to include me in his New York Times article, “Analyzing the Couch.” The online version doesn’t really do it justice; you have to click through to the terrific graphics.   Among other things, Mr. Kurutz asked me whether people should hold off on …

Read more »Thank you, New York Times! Expensive vs. cheap sofas
» Furniture + upholstery, Living Room + Family Room
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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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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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