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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Trim color tips: 7 sanity-restoring rules about trim color

Annie Elliott | March 7, 2011

I recently posted about a bedroom in progress that presented a trim challenge. In response, a Gentle Reader left this comment:

I have started to hate thinking about trim colour...Basically I just don’t understand the rules for trim....

Ok, my friends. Let's see if we can nail down some rules. It would be so delightful and easy if every single room in our home could have the same trim color. Alas, this is never the case....

Read more »Trim color tips: 7 sanity-restoring rules about trim color
» Color + paint color

Patterned wall-to-wall carpeting. It’s baaaaack!

Annie Elliott | March 2, 2011

Over the weekend, the fabulous Rita Konig (you know, of Domino Magazine fame) had a snappy article in the Wall Street Journal called, "Not Your Grandma's Patterned Carpet: It's time to reconsider wall-to-wall."

Super fun. Here's my favorite part:...

Read more »Patterned wall-to-wall carpeting. It’s baaaaack!
» Bedroom, Rugs

Mid-century chairs vs. table: a fabulous update

Annie Elliott | February 26, 2011

I received an "after" picture 17 seconds ago and couldn't WAIT to show it to you!

Do you remember a post about some mid-century dining room chairs and table that were looking a little tired? Go back and read it. I'll wait....

Read more »Mid-century chairs vs. table: a fabulous update
» Color + paint color, Dining room, Furniture + upholstery

Dark walls, white trim? Hmmmm…

Annie Elliott | February 25, 2011

Think fast: you're painting the walls of your bedroom a much darker color. Can you leave the trim bright white?

Probably not. It pains me to say this, but sometimes, if you have a deep, rich color on the walls, glaring white trim can make the room look, well, tacky. And disjointed.

Not the look we're going for....

Read more »Dark walls, white trim? Hmmmm…
» Color + paint color

Lacquer trays at West Elm. Perfection.

Annie Elliott | February 23, 2011

When I ordered several of West Elm's lacquer trays for myself in addition to recommending them to clients, I knew it was time to spread the word.

These trays rock.

Useful, versatile, inexpensive, attractive, varied (they come in 3 sizes)...these trays are a decorator's dream....

Read more »Lacquer trays at West Elm. Perfection.
» Color + paint color

You asked…about a blue-gray living room

Annie Elliott | February 16, 2011

Dear Annie,

We moved from our first house in Nashville after it flooded in May into an amazing 100-year old bungalow in a historic neighborhood.

The last thing on my immediate design list is paint color for the living room. I am leaning toward a grayish blue to pick up on the blues in the LR rug and the gray in the throw pillows....

Read more »You asked…about a blue-gray living room
» Color + paint color, Living Room + Family Room, Rugs

Oddly shaped space? Try an oddly shaped rug

Annie Elliott | February 14, 2011

Some lovely clients of mine had the sweetest, tidiest house. But there was no front hall; you walked directly into a tiny area that the clients charmingly used for playing games.

I'm sorry I don't have a "before" picture, but the poor little space needed help. The chairs were mismatched, and the corner fireplace - excellent, functional - made the room a challenging shape....

Read more »Oddly shaped space? Try an oddly shaped rug
» 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

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

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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

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

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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