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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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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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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