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Annie Elliott Design, Washington DC

Annie Elliott Design

Greater Washington DC

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My New Decorating Handbook Is Now Available For Pre-Order!

Annie Elliott | April 11, 2025

It’s revised, expanded, and just plain better! But first:

HELLO, Gentle Readers! We’ve been busy over here at Annie Elliott Design! We moved into a new studio (I’m just waiting for some wallpaper — of course — and then I’ll tell you all about it), some client projects are really heating up, we have a new employee…stuff’s been happening!

Sneak peek!

Oh, yes: and then there’s the WORLD. But that’s not what we talk about here ;)

You may recall that a few years ago I published a decorating handbook: My Neighbor Saw Me Naked, and Other Reasons You Need Drapes: The Most Important Things You Need To Know About Decorating. I know; the title was too long. Especially that last part.

Watercolor illustration of green striped sofa
The former book’s cover, by Tania Lee

Well, I’m delighted to announce that Artisan Books, a division of Hachette Book Group, is publishing a REVISED AND EXPANDED book! There are new chapters and new topics, such as rug pads and platform beds versus boxsprings. There also are new, charming illustrations by the unparalleled Tania Lee.

By Tania Lee

It is, simply put, a better book. Don’t worry, though: it’s still amusing enough to read in the tub.

Blue and white book cover with watercolor illustrations
The new book! I love the little lamp on the spine – by Tania Lee, of course :)

The subtitle is MUCH better than the original: The Essential Decorating Handbook. Simple yet descriptive. As my mother said (I’m paraphrasing), “Maybe this book will be to decorating what Strunk & White is to grammar.” One can only hope!

The book will be released on August 12, but it would be FABULOUS if you could pre-order one or two (or several) right now. It’s available through all the usual places, including Politics and Prose. Links to order are here.

Watercolor of antique chest and modern chair

My Neighbor Saw Me Naked is an excellent host/hostess gift, wedding present, congratulations-on-your-new-abode gift, etc. And it’s still purse-sized, so obviously you need one at the ready.

Thank you for reading, for bearing with me as I blog less often to attend to matters mentioned earlier, and above all, for making the world a better place by making your corner of it beautiful.

Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, D.C. If a reimagined, joy-filled home is on your must-have list for 2025, please contact us today. I’d love to speak with you about your project.

If you would rather not receive blog notices in your in-box, you may unsubscribe here.

Category: How-toTag: Artisan, book, decorating guid, decorating handbook, furniture, Hachette, how to decorate, paint colors, wallpaper

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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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