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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Introducing my new, gorgeous foyer wallpaper: “Narina!”

Annie Elliott | August 22, 2021

(Not “Narnia” as I first thought!) Gentle Readers, I have not been holding out on you. With our bathroom renovation taking place on the 3rd floor, I thought it wise to wait until all the bumping and thumping up and down the stairs subsided before papering the foyer walls.

I was away for several weeks — some work, some vacation — and excitingly, the wallpaper installation took place while I was away. When I walked into our house yesterday, BLAMMO!!! (If you’re on TikTok, I did record the reveal.)

Please see the November post about my pandemic-driven decision to wallpaper in the first place. (It includes “before” pictures like this one and several wallpapers I was considering:)

Image of Nina Campbell's Paradiso wallpaper and antique secretary
Before! Nina Campbell’s Paradiso

In the end, I went with what I bet you’ll think a surprising choice: Narina by Cole & Son.

Close-up of kelly green wallpaper with a geometric, feather-like pattern
Narina

I really, really thought I was going to go for a festive, multi-colored wallpaper like the ones I showed you in November. But you know what? I think the fact that I couldn’t make a decision was telling. I AGONIZED. Weeks of ordering swatches and taping them up…it wasn’t pretty.

Foyer wallpapered in kelly green Narina wallpaper by Cole & Son
I mean – !!!!!

The truth of the matter is that I was tired of the frenzy. Tired of how active the peacock wallpaper was. People loved it – including and especially my family. But I really, really (really) needed a change.

Grassy green wallpaper behind an antique desk
BEAUTIFUL with the English secretary

One of my daughters is NOT happy about the wallpaper; she says it makes the foyer darker. Well you know what? It DOES. So? So I’m going to add an accent lamp to the secretary (I’ve been meaning to do that for years anyway) and maybe up the wattage of the bulbs in the chandelier.

I love the way the green sets off the front door, sidelights, and spiderweb transom

I’ve been on a green kick this year, as you know (foreshadowing the big reveal of the new bathroom!!!), and when I stumbled upon Narina online, I was pretty confident I’d found the winner. Sometimes you just know, you know?

Green wallpaper an an antique cabinet
Can you find the light switch plate? So perfect! But I do have a green Sharpie I’m itching to use on those screws…

I just feel so happy when I walk into our house. The green is fresh, but it’s also warm and enveloping.

Wallpaper ending in a corner and two engravings of poppies
Where the wallpaper ends on the 2nd floor. Doesn’t it look amazing with these engravings?
Green wallpaper going down a staircase
Our wallpaper installer is kind of a genius ;)
Black lab dog sitting in foyer with green wallpaper
Tilly thinks Narina is awesome

It’s a big change, but I hope you like it!

In case you missed it, here’s the recent NBC4 story about author Jason Reynolds’ house. I make a few comments, but really, you should just listen to Jason ;) Thanks to all who tuned in!

Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, DC, with offices in St. Michaels, Maryland and Middlebury, Vermont. Annie’s design work and insights have appeared in numerous local and national publications, including HGTV Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian Magazine.

Category: WallpaperTag: before and after, Cole & Son, foyer, front hall, green, makeover, Narina, wallpaper

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