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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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Jun 26

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The location of this built-in dresser is practical (between the first floor hallway and the powder room), but tbh, it looked a little odd until we intentionalized it with some grassy green paint. (Yep - I just made up that word. And I’m going to keep it 😉 Photo | @stacyzaringoldberg#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #closetdecor #bedroomdecor #paintedfurniture #dresser #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #interiorsandhome #homeinteriors #colorfullycollected

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Jun 25

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Sure, I love a fancy showroom—but if you want soul, patina, and weird little treasures, you need to get dusty. 💨👉My real sourcing happens in flea markets, antique stores, and the occasional estate sale.✨ That’s where the magic is. That’s where your home gets its character. Plus, it’s more fun than a mall and you might come home with a lamp that looks like a pineapple. 🍍Win-win.......#vintagestyle #antiqueshopping #eclectichome #antiques #vinatgefinds #designhunt #interiordesignerlife #interiorsandhome #dmvdesigner #interiordecor #interiorstyling #interiors

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Jun 24

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Let’s play “rules I’ve gleefully ignored,” shall we?
You must match your metals ❌
Small rooms can’t be dark ❌❌
Never mix patterns ❌ ❌ ❌
Design is supposed to be fun. If it makes you happy, it works. End of story.        Photos | @stacyzaringoldberg @mw.concepts #annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #designrules #kitchendesign #kitcheninspo #interiordetails #bedroomdesign #officedesign #interiorstyle #interiorandhome

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Jun 19

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Nothing says summer like a house that makes you slooooow down. I’m so lucky to have access to a family house in St. Michael’s…the spot is amazing, but we wanted to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to the sunroom. I leaned into the midcentury bones and brought in soft blues and reds to complement the  warm brick and beams. Now it’s got that relaxed, quiet energy that makes you want to pour a gin and tonic, sit still, and just be.📷 | @mw.concepts#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #vacationhome #waterfronthomes #stmichaelshomes #midcenturyinteriors #midcenturymodernhome #interiordecor #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #interiorsandhome

annieelliottdesign

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Jun 17

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I was prepared to argue for this @leejofa wallpaper until I was blue in the face, but my client loved it immediately. Turned out the grannie-ness was a selling point, not an obstacle. I love it when my clients trust me! I gotta be honest: I’ve never regretted going too bold. Just playing it too safe. 📸 | @angieseckinger#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #interiorsandhome #wallpaper #hallwayinspo #leejofawallpaper #floralwallpaper #hallwaydecor #hallwaydesign #stairwellstyling #bolddesign

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Jun 12

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Squeeze the day! 🍊Cole and Son’s Arance wallpaper paired with @benjaminmoore’s high-gloss Strawberry Red has us drooling over this powder room. It’s the perfect reminder that a well-executed small space can be bold, bright, and irresistible!#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #powderroom #bathroomdesign #bathroominspo #powderroomdesign #powderroomwallpaper #boldbathroom #bathroomwallpaper #coleandsonwallpaper

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Jun 10

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See what we did here? We painted the shelves the dark blue of the walls for a cohesive effect. Just the right amount of drama 🎭 Photos | @angieseckinger #annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #interiorsandhome #bookshelfstyling #builtins #builtinbookshleves #shelfstyling #livingroomstyle #decorinspo #homestyle #interiorinspo #livingroomdesign

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Jun 6

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Did I call an air vent a wart on the face of an otherwise beautiful person?😮‍💨 I did. And honestly? I stand by it.The New York Times asked how to deal with unsightly HVAC vents. I brought the metaphors and the solutions.✔️ Camouflage with furniture✔️ Use brushed metals or unlacquered brass✔️ Embrace a gallery wall✔️ Avoid murdering your houseplants with direct airflow (who knew?!)Huge thanks to @nytimes and writer @authordinacheney for digging into this design drama with me. And to Ed Janowiak of @acca_usa for bringing the science. 🙌 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/realestate/how-to-hide-hvac-vents.html

annieelliottdesign

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Jun 5

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News flash, Gentle Readers: Your art CAN match your sofa, but it doesn’t have to. Swipe to see the pretty blue and green painting of the tree color-coordinating with the furnishings to make the room soothing and restful. It’s pretty! But, if you want to jazz things up, go for art that DOESN’T match. See the red painting? There’s no red in the room, save for those few accessories we added. The result is lively and energetic. It all depends on the feel you’re going for. (And don’t forget: whatever art you hang, you gotta love it. I insist.)Photo | @stacyzaringoldberg#annieelliott #annieelliottdesign #interiorstyling #interiorinspiration #livingroomart #interiorsandhome #beautifulinteriors #colorfullycollected #decorinspo #homestyle #artfilledhome #modernart #interiorinspo #livingroomdesign #livingroomstyle #starkcarpet #visualcomfort
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