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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Room Makeover Tips — On A Budget!

Annie Elliott | March 28, 2017

Thank you, House Beautiful online! I’m very proud to be featured in Lauren Smith’s article about interior designers’ favorite ways to impact a room in a big way — on a small budget.

Best Benjamin Moore paint color advice from DC interior designer Annie Elliott, bossy color, for living rooms, bedrooms, and more Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, best paint colors, paint color advice, Edgecomb Gray, Windham Cream, Summer Shower, Arsenic, Black, Black Forest Green, Shaker Beige, Opal, Whispering Spring, China Blue, Wedgewood Gray, Mizzle, Million Dollar Red, Monterey White, Simply White, Ivory Tusk, Simply White, Super White After twelve (!) years of bringing color into people's homes and lives, I've learned that certain paint colors just come through again and again. Here are my go-t0 paint colors for every room. Best Living Room color (neutral): Edgecomb Gray Best Foyer color (and Living Room color - color :)  ): Windham Cream Best Dining Room Color: (a navy blue - F&B?) ***Bathroom: Summer Shower or Whispering Spring Wedgewood Gray? China Blue? Kitchen - choose a light green, maybe F&B? Mizzle #266 Basement: Ivory Tusk With Super White trim. Best trim colors: With medium toned colors, such as Edgecomb Gray - OC-117 Simply White With deeper colors, such as HC-45 Shaker Beige - HC-27 Monterey White Best baby girl's nursery color - Opal Alternate uses: Guest room, bath Best baby boy's nursery color - pick a green Best accent red: Million Dollar Red 2003-10 Best Bedroom color: Farrow & Ball Light Blue Best color for shutters: 2047-10 Black Forest Green Best color for handrails: Black Best Powder Room color: Wallpaper! Freshest new color: Arsenic. I'm dying to use this color. Maybe in a Dining Room
Getty image via House Beautiful online

You have exactly one guess as to what my #1 tip is.

That’s right: paint ;)

But there are more! Check out the article when you have a second — I guarantee you’ll pick up a trick or two.

Bossy color | Annie Elliott interiors is a design firm based in Washington, DC. Annie’s interior design work and decorating insights have appeared in such publications as Better Homes & Gardens, HGTV Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and, most recently, Bethesda Magazine. 

Category: Color + paint colorTag: before and after, budget, budget decorating, decorating advice, decorating tips, design on a dime, furniture, makeover, paint color tips, room makeover

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May 22

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I follow two rules when mixing patterns in the same space: vary the scale, and vary the subject.I was excited to share this and other insights on pattern splicing with @ericafinamore from @apartmenttherapy! #interiordesign #patternsplicing #patternmixing #designopinions #annieelliottdesign

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May 20

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It’s Wallpaper Wednesday! This week we’re featuring Deconstructed Stripe by Schumacher (in collaboration with Miles Redd).This pattern pays tribute to the legendary decorator Albert Hadley. Redd was inspired by Hadley’s contemporary, streamlined designs that played with scale and proportion. Deconstructed Stripe is impactful on its own but also looks INCREDIBLE next to other patterns.@schumacher1889 #designinspo #wallpaper #interiordesigner

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May 19

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HuffPost asked for my thoughts about the new White House ballroom. As you can imagine, I have many. I was so delighted to be included in this conversation! Thank you, @huffpost and @carsar91!#interiordesign #whitehouse #designopinions #annieelliottdesign

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May 13

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I was thrilled to attend Imar Lyman’s exhibition opening at the Kreeger recently! I’ve loved his work for years and am lucky enough to own one of his silkscreens (ours is of Frederick Douglass). He’s moved from portraiture to abstraction, but he still does some work in collage, which I confess is my favorite ;) The exhibition is up through July 11. Play hooky one afternoon and go.(The last painting is by Frank Stella, by the way — an influence on the artist, as you can see!)@imarhutchins @kreegermuseum

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May 11

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I’ve decided that spring cleaning is not enough this year. Spring MAKEOVERS are in store!Read my latest blog post to see before-and-after photos of some past and current projects. It’s heavy on pictures, light on commentary…the blog version of a beach read to give you a jump on summer 🏖️.

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May 8

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It was an honor to be a sponsor of the 87th annual Flower Mart at the National Cathedral! My  daughters have been trekking up to the Cathedral for this event since they were little - wonderful memories. This year, my favorite flower display was the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office; those peonies smelled UNBELIEVABLE! 🌺 🌼 🌷 🌻! Switzerland was a close second ;)

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May 6

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For today’s Wallpaper Wednesday, we discuss Hicks Grand by David Hicks.The British interior designer created the smaller-scale Hicks Hexagon in the 1960s and later scaled up the pattern to create Hicks Grand. The contemporary, geometric, honeycomb repeat adds intrigue and depth to any room. I have only used the smaller Hicks Hexagon (stairway picture), but I LOVE the scale of Hicks Grand. Fun fact: The Hicks Hexagon pattern was used on the rugs in the Overlook Hotel’ hallways in The Shining 😱#wallpaperinspo #interiorinspiration #hicksandgrand

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Apr 30

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Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.But nothing says spring like flowers! 🌷 🌻 🌸 (And birds!)

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Apr 28

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Your house should reflect *you*. My recent visits to Eudora Welty’s house and the Mississippi Museum of Art reminded me of that. If the wallpaper you put up makes you happy, it’s a success! If you need help figuring out how to translate your personality and lifestyle into your home’s function and appearance, I’m here 😉.Read my new blog post for more!
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