Interview with Colour Expert; Annie Elliott

Annie Elliott is the blogger/designer behind the colour blog, Bossy Color. And she is bossy, but in a charming way (as I always say when my friends call me bossy :). I almost think that trait is part of being a designer as we are paid for our opinion!

Annie is based out of Washington D.C. and is another colourist and designer that you cannot live without. I am excited to add her to my fabulous list of colour expert interviews:

[MK] What’s your favourite colour?


[AE] Yellow

Interior by Bossy Color

[MK] What colour would you like to see banished from all paint decks?


[AE] That muddy khaki/olive/taupe color. It’s so dreary!

[MK] What was the moment when you knew, colour was your passion!

Interior by Bossy Color

[AE] When I was about 11, I was “helping” my mother redecorate the house we’d just moved into. We were choosing furniture for the living room, and I remember explaining to a store rep. why dark green was the wrong choice for our wingback chairs; we needed a softer color, like cocoa. That person offered me a job on the spot. She was kidding, of course, but it was my second job offer of the day. I remember thinking I might be onto something.

[MK] What was your biggest colour/design mistake?

Interior by Bossy Color

[AE] Early on, I made the classic mistake of encouraging a client who “loved color!” (her words) to paint each room in her house a different, bold, primary color. It was very, how shall I say…circusy.

[MK] What is the most important colour lesson you’ve learned?


[AE] When in doubt, go lighter. Clients who are ready for color sometimes look at a swatch and think it doesn’t seem strong enough. They’ve decided to go beyond neutrals, and they want a BIG change! But color generally intensifies when it covers an entire wall (or room). So if you’re torn between two shades of a color, remember that the lighter will probably give you the effect you’re looking for without being overwhelming.

[MK] When it comes to colour, what’s hot?

Kitchen by Bossy Color

[AE] Pantone just declared “turquoise” their color of the year for 2010, and I should have seen it coming! Lighter, warmer blues – anything called aqua, Robin’s egg, even light teal – have been gaining momentum for months.

[MK] Which one do you think is timeless and which colour trend would you love to see disappear?


[AE] I think there will always be a place for tone-on-tone layering: think beige and off-white living rooms, or white and light grey contemporary spaces. That can be a very elegant look.

As far as trends marked for extinction, I hope will all of my heart that “earth tones” are on their way out. I’m referring to warm, murky colors such as khaki and deep greeny grey, not colors that may be classified as “global” or “eco-friendly,” such as clearer brown, persimmon, and teal.

Interior by Bossy Color

[MK] What do you think is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make with colour?


[AE] Thinking they should do a different color in each room. You can’t underestimate flow: moving from one room to another shouldn’t be a jarring experience. Too many dramatic color shifts can be unsettling.

[MK] Why did you become a color professional?

Kitchen by Bossy Color

[AE] I know this sounds hokey, but I really wanted to help people love where they live. As a museum professional (and former art historian), I was in the business of bringing beautiful and/or intriguing objects to the public. But I wanted more immediacy. Color has such a direct impact on a space. When a client says to me, “I never thought this house could look so good,” “I love this room now,” or We’ve never spent time here before; now we don’t want to leave,” I feel fantastic. And I know I’m in the right business.

[MK] What are the 5 things in life you cannot live without?


[AE] My twin daughters and husband (I’ll count that as one: family!) 2. my English grandmother’s writing desk, 3. allergy pills;

4. The second movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #4

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5. Sunshine

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[MK] Any quick tips for do-it-yourselfers?



[AE] Ask yourself what colors you look good in. That’s always a great starting point!

Related posts:
Three Different Shades of Yellow
Interview with Colour Expert; Rachel Perls
5 New ways of Looking at Colour; From the Experts
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