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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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Thanks, Associated Press! “Carpet, the bolder the better, makes a comeback”

Annie Elliott | August 3, 2011

Do you remember reading my post about wall-to-wall carpeting a few months back? About how it’s making a comeback?

Patterned carpet in bay window
Wall-to-wall carpeting in bay window (Photo: Michael K. Wilkinson for bossy color)

Well if you didn’t, now you won’t have to!

Manuel Canovas bedding and headboard, Crate & Barrel lamp, Horchow side table (Photo: Michael K. Wilkinson for bossy color)

The AP interviewed me last week for a story about it, and it hit the papers – and the web-waves – yesterday. Newsday, The Washington Post, and abc.com lead the list, but the story also was carried by aol news, The Albany Times-Union, and others.

Wall-to-wall stair runner
Striped wall-to-wall carpeting on staircase (Photo: Michael K. Wilkinson for bossy color)

Most papers also carried 2 of my – (“my” = the work of my fabulous photographer, Michael Wilkinson) pictures, which was super duper.

What’s new about wall-to-wall is PATTERN. That and color. We’re not talking about the beige berber you have in your basement. We’re talking about strong, graphic carpeting.

Wall-to-wall carpeting in playroom
Bordered wall-to-wall carpeting in playroom (Photo: Michael K. Wilkinson for bossy color)

(Huh? What’s the name of the carpeting in the bedroom pictures? I knew you were going to ask that…I think the name involves the word, “princess,” but I’m going to have to let you know when I’m back in my real, non-remote office with all of my files. Sorry about that.)

In any event, Gentle Readers, the stigma is gone. Carpet away!

Art wall with heating vent
Art wall over Wisteria chest (Photo: Michael K. Wilkinson for bossy color)

Annie Elliott – aka bossy color – is an interior decorator and design blogger in Washington, D.C. She’s considered an expert on color, residential space planning, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible. She’s also a proud member of the Color Outlook team:  6 experts from across the country who podcast quarterly about color trends and forecasts.

Category: Art + accessories, Bedroom, Kids, RugsTag: AP, Associated Press story carpeting, Carpeting, colorful carpet, Crate & Barrel, graphic carpet, Horchow Orbit side table, Manuel Canovas, wall-to-wall carpet

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Jun 26

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Another installment of my Before and After video series! This project is in NYC. SO fun!!! We start with a VERY challenging living space/kitchen and then…well, then there’s Part 2!Mentioned:@Schumacher_midatlantic@leejofa@visualcomfort@fornasetti

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Having sworn I never would wield a paintbrush again, I recently found myself helping my daughter paint her first apartment. Thus a tutorial about paint sheens for her, thus a recap for you!My latest blog post explains the differences between paint sheens and tells you what goes where ;)Link in bio to read. #interiordesigner #paintinspo #apartmenrdecor

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Jun 22

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There’s no other word for it: Sheila Bridges’ pattern Harlem Toile De Jouy has become an American icon. Iconic and ironic: the pattern conflates her experiences as a Black woman living in Harlem with pastoral motifs from 1700s French toile. Delightful and lighthearted at first glance, the pattern gives you plenty to think about. Bridges created Harlem Toile as a wallpaper but later expanded the collection to include fabric, bedding, plates, glassware, umbrellas, and clothing. I strongly recommend getting a piece of this pattern any way you can. @harlemtoilegirl#interiordesign #harlemtoile #patterninspo

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Jun 17

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“Much of the wallpaper [in the Victorian era]—fabric, too—was made with arsenic,’ explains Elliott. ‘There are worse ways to go, I suppose.’”I loved speaking with @allisonpduncan @vogueliving about the art of using two wallpapers in one room. Happy Wallpaper Wednesday!#interiordesign #wallpaper #vogueliving #designopinions #annieelliottdesignSlide 1 📸  by Stacy Zarin Goldberg, Design by Annie ElliottSlide 2 📸 by Leslee Mitchell, Design by Kim ScodroSlide 3 📸 by Donna Dotan, Design by Ariel OkinSlide 4 📸 by Gordon Gregory, Design by Jenny Holladay

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Jun 13

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Pink, light yellow, and gold-y tan combine to create a soft, unexpected color palette. The quiet colors are sophisticated together, and the palette will age beautifully as this tween moves through high school and college. (Her parents won’t even have to redecorate if it becomes a guest bedroom someday! But one step at a time…)#homedesign #paintinspo #bedroomdesign

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Jun 10

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Deep down, I believe that a house isn’t a home without wallpaper 😊 My latest blog post identifies five unexpected places you can use wallpaper — and some are small! Wallpapering the space behind your island stools could be your gateway to my favorite home furnishing. If you have other creative spots for wallpaper, I’d love to hear about them!#wallpaperinspo #interiordesign #wallpaper

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Welcome to my new before-and-after series! 🥰 I take you through my thinking as I design a space — my “process,” as it were. Pretty pictures are involved too, of course. I hope you enjoy it!This was a super fun project: a historic townhouse with the challenge of a loooong shoebox-shaped front room. You know the kind. Here’s how we made this color-and-pattern-loving client’s challenging space amazing. Like this series? Please let me know! #interiordesigner #windowtreatments #wallpaper

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Don’t let your porch be a throwaway space! Make it a room. Get a high quality indoor/outdoor rug. Make sure your furniture is COMFY. Find a cordless lamp (they’re everywhere now!). Hang art! You can even add a vintage console table or cabinet if you’re ok with it weathering over time 🕰️. #interiordesign #porchdesign
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