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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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How To Work With an Interior Designer

Annie Elliott | March 2, 2025

“I’ve been thinking about making some changes in my house, but I’m not sure where to start.

How does it work, working with an interior designer?”

Person designing a room
Photo: Jennifer Schuman, Horizon Photography

If you haven’t said that sentence aloud, Gentle Readers, you may have thought it.

I’ve been known to go down a rabbit hole or two with my blog posts, but today it’s back to basics. I thought, “What do people really need to know? How can I help without dragging them through an exhibition of 18th century French wallpaper?” (Which I may still write about, by the way; it was terrific.)

So. This is how we work at Annie Elliott Design.

Front hall with green wallpaper and open front door
Photo: Rebecca McAlpin

First, fill out the contact form on our website — even if I already know you ;) That helps you think about your needs, and it tells me what’s top of mind for you.

Room with dramatic blue floral wallpaper
Photo: Rebecca McAlpin

You and I have a 15-30 minute phone call to discuss your project and how we can work together.

Home office with oriental rug and black dog
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Then we schedule a 2-hour site meeting at your house. You talk to us about what bugs you, what you love, what isn’t working for you, and what special pieces you’d like to keep.

Library with green walls and work table
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

An inspiration meeting via Zoom follows. We show you lots of pictures, ask questions, and listen, listen, listen.

Moody room with purple walls, green sofa, and blue floral window treatments
Photo: Trevor B. Parker

On trade day, our team meets all of our trades at your house (painter, window treatment fabricator, etc.), and while they’re gathering the info they need, the AED team takes photographs, room dimensions, and item dimensions.

Kitchen with blue painted cabinets and marble backsplash
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

And then, the magic happens! We develop your design plan and present it to you. The design includes EVERYTHING we need to create a brand-new space: floor plans, furniture, rugs, lamps, wallpaper, paint colors, window treatments, and yes, even pillows. But the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts: we explain why everything works together.

Living room with blue walls and purple sofa
Photo: Trevor B. Parker

We take it from there. Once we agree on the design plan, you can relax. We place and track all of the orders and meet the deliveries (as few as possible!) at your home. We also manage the trades, scheduling them and monitoring their work.

Bright dining room with green drapes
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Et voilà! You have a gorgeous, brand-new space that serves your needs and makes you happy every single day.

Window bench seat with colorful pillows
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

I hope this demystifies the process, Gentle Readers! Please be in touch — and please forward this post to a fellow decorating enthusiast ;)

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Need more information about working with a designer? Please fill out our contact form to schedule a call with me. We’re now accepting projects for spring!

Category: Q+ATag: decorating process, design presentation, working with decorator, working with interior designer

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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

annieelliottdesign

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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

annieelliottdesign

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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

annieelliottdesign

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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.

annieelliottdesign

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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

annieelliottdesign

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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

annieelliottdesign

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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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