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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

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Put a bird on it! My new awesome wallpaper

Annie Elliott | January 11, 2012

Fred and Carrie were right!

Everything IS better when you put a bird on it!

Carrie Brownstein in Portlandia, "Put A Bird On It"
"What a sad little tote bag. I know! I'll put a bird on it."

My fancy schmancy Nina Campbell wallpaper went up yesterday.

Nina Campbell's Paradiso wallpaper
Nina Campbell's Paradiso wallpaper

What can I say: it might have been the happiest day of my life.

For maximum dramatic effect, here was the foyer before we lived here:

Foyer in 1910 Wardman rowhouse, D.C.

And here it is shortly after we moved in:

Yellow foyer, 1910 Wardman rowhouse, D.C.

In anticipation of the wallpaper, a few days ago:

Girls and Uncle Jimmy painting the radiator

Laying it out with my wallpaper guy:

Nina Campbell's Paradiso wallpaper

The process…

Wallpaper hanger, Nina Campbell's Paradiso wallpaper

Foyer being wallpapered

Ta-DAH!

Foyer with peacock wallpaper

Foyer and stairwell with peacock wallpaper

Foyer with Nina Campbell's peacock wallpaper, Paradiso

Even though there’s hardly any actual yellow in the wallpaper, I think it looks great from the egg-yolk yellow living room.

Foyer with Nina Campbell's peacock wallpaper, Paradiso

The gray dining room now makes sense, and when I get it all photographed properly, you’ll see that the pink Ikat sofa and pink chairs now look great, also. (Pardon the unbelievable mess; powder room demo taking place beyond the dining room.)

Messy house from wallpapered foyer

So this wallpaper IS life-changing, just as I hoped. I’m so freaking happy I can hardly stand myself!

Birds. They’re not just for Portland anymore.

Nina Campbell's Paradiso wallpaper with English writing desk

Annie Elliott – aka bossy color – is an interior decorator and design blogger in Washington, D.C. She has been quoted in publications from The New York Times to Real Simple and is considered an expert on color, residential space planning, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.

Category: WallpaperTag: bird wallpaper, Nina Campbell, Paradiso wallpaper, peacock wallpaper, wallcovering

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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

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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

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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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