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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Rugs

Striped rug in a kitchen

5 Things You Need to Know About Rugs

Annie Elliott | November 9, 2025

Last call, Gentle Readers! This Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) at 7:00, the writer Jason Reynolds and I will be having a conversation at Politics & Prose Union Market about my new book*, working together, and all things home. You may have heard me say, Gentle Readers, that unless your rugs are crawling up the baseboards, they’re not too …

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» Rugs

How to layer rugs as safely as possible

Annie Elliott | February 26, 2024

A TikTok viewer recently asked how to layer rugs without creating a tripping hazard. The unfortunate truth, Gentle Readers, is that there is no way to layer rugs 100% safely. In fact, experts evaluating older people’s homes for safety generally suggest removing ALL of the rugs. Now, this can be a great look, especially in …

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» Rugs

Quick Q+A: The perfect rug for a sage green room

Annie Elliott | November 6, 2022

Dear Annie, What are the best rugs to pair with a sage green color wall? – Izzy via TikTok First, let’s clarify what we mean by “sage green.” I tend to think of this color as a light grayish green, popular at Pottery Barn (along with cranberry) in the, what, mid-aughts? So my first question …

Read more »Quick Q+A: The perfect rug for a sage green room
» Q+A, Rugs
Colorful stripey rug

Quick Q+A: Best, most durable rugs for front halls

Annie Elliott | September 5, 2022

Dear Annie, Several years ago, I found a bright and colorful wool rug that I really liked for our front hallway. The first day that we had it, a friend stopped by with her young twins. They wanted to tell us that there had been a fire down the street, and as the young twins excitedly entered …

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» Rugs
Room with leather chair and ottoman and blue oriental rug

Rugs: Size Matters (Thanks, Baltimore Magazine!)

Annie Elliott | July 16, 2018

Gentle Readers, here’s another item for your shopping list: the July issue of Baltimore Magazine, which features interior designers’ “insider tips” for decorating (the article, alas, is not online.) I was delighted to be invited to participate. My tip? Don’t buy a rug that’s too small. Unless we’re talking about an intentionally small area rug …

Read more »Rugs: Size Matters (Thanks, Baltimore Magazine!)
» Rugs

Start with the rug…or not!

Annie Elliott | November 6, 2017

Gentle Readers, if you have been reading bossy color blog faithfully since 2009 (!!!), you know that a tenet I hold near and dear is this: START WITH THE RUG. If you’re hating a room but you just can’t figure out what to do about it, start with the rug. Except when you don’t. We just …

Read more »Start with the rug…or not!
» Rugs

5 favorite finds at High Point, via CocoCozy!

Annie Elliott | October 28, 2016

Gentle Readers, I promise to update you on my kitchen asap, but we’ve been pretty busy here in bossyland! After last week’s photo shoot, we went down to North Carolina to High Point Market, the must-attend, semi-annual furniture fair. We were thrilled to spend some time with COCOCOZY, who happens to be a dear friend of …

Read more »5 favorite finds at High Point, via CocoCozy!
» Furniture + upholstery, Rugs
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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.

annieelliottdesign

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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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Sep 18

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Best part of being an interior designer is using your own home as a playground for creative ideas! We changed the paint in our living room again and here’s how it looks now! #interiordesign

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Sep 17

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When you become an empty nester, when is it ok to reclaim your adult child’s space? Check out my latest blog post for my recommendations on how to approach empty nesting!📸 @stacyzaringoldberg📸 @kipdawkinsphoto📸 Michael Wilkinson📸 @angieseckinger

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Sep 10

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Pink, green, and a splash of dark orange come together to create this sunny, summery bedroom 🪷
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