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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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So I wrote a book…

Annie Elliott | May 17, 2023

…and it is HERE, Gentle Readers!!! Available for sale on this very website. Right now!

Woman grinning holding small book
It’s here!

I think people usually write books this way: Usually, people think of an idea for a book, and then they write a book proposal, and then they find an agent, and then the agent gets them a publisher. I think that’s how it usually goes.

I…just wrote the book. I didn’t have a strategy or a plan; I just wanted to pull together some of the information I’d learned during my career as an interior designer-slash-decorator. I thought about the questions clients and friends have asked me most often, and then I answered them. As clearly and succinctly (and wittily) as I knew how.

Book cover, Annie Elliott's interior design handbook
The book itself — including the cover — was beautifully designed by Olivia Hammerman

At one point, I was trying to figure out whether I’d covered the issues people cared about the most. So I asked a handful of close friends what they considered their primary interior decorating challenges. The responses I received the most were choosing paint colors, understanding light bulbs, corralling clutter, and spouses in general.

Watercolor illustration of a coat tree, boots, and wallpaper
The book features the most CHARMING drawings by the brilliant Tania Lee. That’s her work on the cover, too ;)

Alas, about the last I could do precious little. But clutter! I hadn’t considered clutter to be an interior design issue, but of course it is! As a result: Chapter 9: Clutter. Coats, shoes, and bags…what to do? What to do? And, of course, there are chapters about paint colors, light bulbs, wallpaper, furniture arrangement, art, and other things.

The book is called, My Neighbor Saw Me Naked, and Other Reasons You Need Drapes. The most important things you need to know about decorating.

I hope you like it, Gentle Readers. And I hope the 78 friends and family members to whom you give the book like it, too.

Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, D.C., and designing houses is still our favorite thing to do, literary digressions notwithstanding. We’re experts in creating gorgeous, color- and pattern-filled homes and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.

Category: Window treatmentsTag: book, Clutter, My Neighbor Saw Me Naked, paint colors, shoe clutter, walllpaper, window treatments

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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

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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

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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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