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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Window treatments

Are Roman shades really from Rome? Window treatment origin stories

Annie Elliott | March 29, 2026

This will come as no surprise, Gentle Readers, but I think about window treatments a LOT. Especially during the transition from winter to spring, with the change in temperature and light…I’m reminded what a critical design element window treatments are. And then I get to thinking about window treatments through the ages. Who invented drapes? …

Read more »Are Roman shades really from Rome? Window treatment origin stories
» Art, Window treatments

My favorite window treatments right now

Annie Elliott | June 1, 2025

Hello, Gentle Readers! Is it spring? Is it summer? What month is it? What year? Who’s to say? I’m so turned around that I’ve just been putting my head down and focusing on what I do best: spreading joy by making houses beautiful. In doing so, I’ve noticed that there’s a type of window treatment …

Read more »My favorite window treatments right now
» Window treatments

The best window treatments for half coverage

Annie Elliott | June 11, 2023

(I first wrote “the best bottom-only window treatments,” but it sounded kind of gross.) You may have found yourselves in this very situation, Gentle Readers: you want to cover only the bottom half of a window, but you’re not quite sure how. You need some privacy (or you want to obscure something unsightly, such as …

Read more »The best window treatments for half coverage
» Window treatments

UPDATE – Tune in to NBC4 this Friday!

Annie Elliott | June 7, 2023

Update 6.12.23: Here is the NBC4 segment, Gentle Readers! I hope you enjoy it! Hello, Gentle Readers! If you lose steam at work this Friday afternoon, NBC4 will be airing an interview with me “during the 4:00 hour.” (This usually means around 4:45!) The subject? My book! My Neighbor Saw Me Naked, and Other Reasons …

Read more »UPDATE – Tune in to NBC4 this Friday!
» Window treatments
Woman holding book, grinning ridiculously

So I wrote a book…

Annie Elliott | May 17, 2023

…and it is HERE, Gentle Readers!!! Available for sale on this very website. Right now! I think people usually write books this way: Usually, people think of an idea for a book, and then they write a book proposal, and then they find an agent, and then the agent gets them a publisher. I think …

Read more »So I wrote a book…
» Window treatments

Quick Q&A: Are my drapes too short?

Annie Elliott | December 8, 2022

Dear Annie, I just hung drapes and they are like 4 inches from the floor 🥺 please tell me it’s ok – @michelle_outdoors via TikTok Oh, Michelle. How I wish I could give you the response you seek! But alas, I must be the unfortunate truth-bearer: your drapes are too short. Don’t beat yourself up! …

Read more »Quick Q&A: Are my drapes too short?
» Window treatments

My 3 Favorite Kinds of Window Treatments

Annie Elliott | February 14, 2021

Gentle Readers, have you ever been confronted with a naked window and been paralyzed with indecision? You knew in your heart that something must be done, but you didn’t know where to start. Let me encourage you now: please do not ignore the unadorned window. Be strong, be brave, and try one of these, my …

Read more »My 3 Favorite Kinds of Window Treatments
» Window treatments
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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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