Wednesday 14 April 2010

The Billboard & New Project Unveiled



The scheme we originally presented to Mirvac


Late last week a new billboard went up in Brisbane which was being unveiled as my brother was coincidentally driving past it.

He dialled my number excited to advise me that my latest project was being unveiled as we spoke on a humongous billboard down in the Valley.

That afternoon, Harry and I went in search of the so-called humongous billboard. We went around and back and down and up the street approximately 5 times with great excitement. I nearly crashed the car 2 times trying to take a photo of it.

Saturday morning my parents couldn’t help but take a drive past the billboard.

Monday morning a client emailed us saying she had seen the billboard.

This morning another one of my clients commented on the billboard.

And tonight my husband said – “Where’s your billboard in the Valley? I’m heading down there tomorrow and I want to drive past it…”

The billboard has created a bit of a stir amongst family and friends…







One of my favourite things was selecting all the books and accessory pieces {some new and some vintage} for the shelving we had installed.


Remember that little snippet of a job I posted a week or two ago?? Well, that’s the one on the billboard.

Being invited by Mirvac to design the furnishings and accessories for it’s latest display apartment in the Newstead development was exciting and very rewarding. I was recently asked by Mirvac to explain my design and my thinking behind my scheme for the Park display apartment for a media release...


“To be working on one of Brisbane’s finest developments is truly exciting. I feel that my fresh and uplifting design for the Park display apartment is in tune with Mirvac’s philosophy of excellence and vision. When I think of Park I imagine expanses of lush green grass, leafy trees with natural bark clad trunks, colourful clothes and celebrations, mixed with urban elements such as vibrant graffiti and eclectic retail offerings. These are the things that have inspired my design for the display apartment. I want it to be fresh and colourful and I want the design to show people that they don’t have to have a ‘catalogue’ perfect interior to match a Park apartment. It can be colourful, it can be collected, it can be made up of vintage furniture mixed with more modern pieces. There are no rules. My vision with Park is to inspire people with my designs and encourage them to embrace their own unique style with their own Park apartment.”


I hope that my colourful design will be something different for Brisbane. We are so used to seeing ‘SAFE’ display apartments here. It is so exciting to be involved with a company like Mirvac who does think outside the square and who wants to be seen as different to the pack.


The cluster wall as conceptualised by Tony at Thyme Design


And on a final note…

Feedback on the apartment so far has been very positive. However, I have to share this with you…

My mother’s dearest friend and probably one of my biggest supporters went and had a look at the display on the weekend. She overheard the conversation of an older couple...

The husband said – “What were they thinking with those green chairs?”

The wife replied – “Oh Darling, get with the times – it’s for the young ones. They love it…”




66 comments:

Kelly Green said...

Wow, what an exciting job for you! I agree, too many safe colours are used and it is so refreshing to see all your gorgeous bright colours! KG

Jane said...

Congratulations and I agree with you - good on Mirvac for being brave and supporting a scheme which is not beige and neutral. Too few mainstream developers take this approach.

That is a funny comment about the chairs - actually they seem to me to be quite 1950s so I would have thought those oldies in question might have remembered them first time around!

JOE. D said...

so bright, so original, so refreshing and so much better than the stock standard display homes. perfectly put together. well done anna!!!

sallyh said...

Go Anna! It's a wonderful message to send to Brisbane - exciting, colourful, sophisticated and FUN!

Brilliant Trees Collective said...

Wow the display looks absolutely gorgeous - well done.

It is so nice to see some colour in a display apartment - everybody does the same old cookie cutter neutral colour scheme and while it may look nice every apartment/home tends to blur into the other.

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

What a great project. I really like your bold use of colour and pattern - some seriously gorgeous fabrics going on here!

Suzanna Khan said...

I LOVE those green chairs!
Your work is so inspirational that I leave your blog feeling so creative not just with interior design but with many other things too. Your unique use of colour,design and looking outside the box opens a part of mind that I forget is there.
Thank you and keep on inspiring everyone,as well as teaching the dull-minded people that there is more to our world.

:)

oh and congrats on the billboard!
xoxo

Unknown said...

Looks fantastic! People will love it, conratulations!
The little brochure is very pretty too.

Anna White said...

Congratulations Anna..what an awesome achievement..you should feel so very very proud xo

Ronique Gibson said...

You must be elated! Congratulations, enjoy the ride! :o)

Trish *Spring Blossom* said...

Wow what an amazing achievement - congrats!! You totally deserve it :)

Knicky Knacks said...

Congrats. I think you are very brave with colour. You have certainly pulled this one off with great finesse!

Suzanne said...

Anna , I live in Florida and studied Interior Design too . I love your fresh sense of color and letting the eye rest in places . You aussie ladies have it going on ! I love all the pink !

Unknown said...

Congrats. I love it.

Megan said...

What a beautiful, bright job! I love the concept of educating people that eclectic and bold decorating can be just as modern and much more exciting than the usual 'safe' display homes we see. Congrats on a beautiful job Anna! Good choice Mirvac ;)

Anna Spiro said...

Thanks so much everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment! You are all so encouraging and supportive!!

xo
Anna

A Perfect Gray said...

absolutely fabulous...

Ness Lockyer said...

That is amazing...comgratulations Anna! I love the green chairs, it really makes the room pop and the fabric on the armchair is gorgeous. You must be so happy.
...I did like the comment though - good on you Gran! =0)
Ness xx

julie said...

ha, ha - so funny! I love the green chairs. You are tempting me to pop up to Brissie to have a look. Good on you for stepping outside the square with the decorating. So many displays feel just like that - displays. This feels like someone's home, and a very stylish one at that!

Natasha @ Northern Light Design said...

...who gets their work on a billboard?? ANNA SPIRO does!
Good for you, very exciting news. I love to read about your projects!

Northern Light

Julie at Belle Vivir said...

Ana,
I don't blame your family and friends for the excitement. It's a big thing. Congratulations for your great work.

Dolo said...

It´s fresh and colourful, I love it!

Hello Lover... said...

That story about the older couple is adorable! Congrats on a billboard - thats awesome!

Moments and Treasures said...

Congratulations! Love the words "See, Sigh, Admire" so appropriate dont you think

annechovie said...

Anna, I LOVE it! How refreshing to see a departure from those flat and generic interiors that give home models such a bad name. Mirvac is obviously spot-on hiring you to enhance their reputation for style and innovation. Bravo for their vision and ability to recognize true talent. I love the green chairs and had to laugh out loud when you related the anecdote about the older couple. Also, so fun to spot one of my note cards you have framed on the shelf. xo

kimberj said...

Congratulations! What a lovely opportunity and what an amazing job you did with it. I'm sure new doors are flying open for you, just waiting for you to walk through them to bigger and better!

Unknown said...

Just fabulous! Refreshing, bold and so current - congratulations on your billboard, what a moment that must have been! xoxo

RP said...

Congratulations Anna. It looks amazing. I dont think I have ever seen your style applied to a modern apartment - Glorious!

Sally said...

omg i love it all anna! Fabulous job! If i was to walk into this display apartment id buy it - and all the furnishings! I bet you'll get alot of business from it too! I have a modern apartment and have been toying with the idea of seagrass wallpaper for a while, now i see it can work!
Congratulations!
sally x
http://oncedailychic.blogspot.com/

Gelati Art said...

Congratulations Anna on a stunning result and congratulations to Mirvac for their brave decision to try something new. This is the most exciting display apartment I've ever seen...wow, wow, wow!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Anna! How refreshing to see bold colours, wonderful patterns and a mix of old and new. It's totally eclectic and different from all the stock standard displays we see today. This will get people talking and challenge them to think differently in their approach when it comes to styling or decorating their home.

monique said...

Fantastic, I love the green chairs! Bring it on.

Paper Tree Studio said...

Congratulations Anna! Thanks for putting some 'soul' into this display home. As someone who is studying interior design, it is refreshing to see that Mirvac is willing to move away from the common 'plastic' interiors we are so used to seeing. Your colours are gorgeous and I love those green chairs!

Fiona said...

I love the green chairs, but that's (most straight) men for you! It's not such a commitment, anyway, because you can always paint the chairs when you want a different color. I like the pops of color going on, and I wish I could really see the mood board!

pve design said...

What more could a girl want! Love it. It is bright and fresh and looks easy to maintain.
Check out "modgreenpod" for some fun fabrics, I think you will love the designs to go with jade, thanks for your kind comments as always!
pve

Karena said...

Anna, congratulations! It is really great to design in a way that does stir up comments. I adore what you have accomplished.


Karena
Art by Karena

tarheel said...

it's FABULOUS!!! I want to live there. Congrats!

Mary Ann said...

i love everything! only you can pull them all together gracefully!...i can see your trademark on those designs. congratulations, anna....maryann

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Anna,
Congrats!!! A billboard showing good design...so very cool!

admin said...

Oh how stunning!!! I love it - looks so fresh & fun! Congrats on the billboard - how exciting :)

the gardener's cottage said...

Hi Anna,

Congrats & it will just be a matter of time before everyone "gets with the times" and understands and adores your brilliant work.

~janet

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Your very own billboard ~ what an exciting moment. Hope you celebrated.

Habitat Home Collection said...

Can't wait to go and have a look at the apartment. I'm over safe and boring. Its so nice to see a big developer is willing to try something new. Modern apartments deserve modern interiors.

Tigerlilly Quinn said...

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Aimee said...

I really love this bright, fresh look you have created. So often these display home type efforts are so 'safe' and uninspiring. Well done, I love it. Those green chairs are superb!

La Boheme said...

Hello Anna, congratulations -what an exciting achievement! I agree with previous comments about stirring up comments - it is good when design makes people talk about it - it means you definitely did something :)

rosiecampbell said...

Very exciting about the billboard! I love everything you did, bright and uplifting!

tinajo said...

It´s my first time here and I really like your blog. Will be back! :-)

islaisland said...

Wow, absolutely stunning. Gorgeous job! Congratulations!

Megan @ Lovely Happenings said...

The billboard looks fantastic! Congrats. You are so talented!

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

THat overheard conversation is hilarious! Well done and congratulations, the space looks fabulous!!

We do work for Mirvac, and i must say, they give good billboards!!

jules :)

The House That A-M Built said...

About time... oh those usual display units are so incredibly drab and someone has actually been paid to create them!!!! This one just pops... hey and I drove past the billboard in the Valley... you can't miss it! Congratulations. A-M xx

Anonymous said...

This really reflects your "signature style", so very chic and sophisticated, its exquisite Anna.

La Petite Gallery said...

Congratulations, the display is great. Good post

yvonne
stop over my end sometime.

Shell Sherree said...

Just catching up on your post now, and I smiled, as I saw an ad for this development in this week's Brisbane News and immediately wondered if you were the designer. A beautiful, vibrant scheme, Anna.

Laydebird said...

You have made it look like a home rather then the usual display homes which look like they have selected furniture from the one factory. You can tell the care and attention to detail you have given this project. Well done.....and where did that Grey couch come from (if you dont mind telling) its just what I have been looking for!

Bohemian Grandma said...

Beautiful. I love the color.

Dorothy said...

This is gorgeous! In fact a very similar layout to my apartment and I now wish I could magically transform my living area to look like that.

Fantastic use of colour, without it being too much. Stunning!

x

Blue 'n White and Roses said...

Congratulations Anna. I love your colours. Very Inspiring.

Mélanie A. said...

Absolutely fantastic !!! COngratulations with your new project

Anonymous said...

WOW! I love this! I am a big fan of orange and blue together but had never thought of adding lime to the mix. Great Job Anna!

Jen said...

LOVE the green chairs! Just gorgeous, i want to move right in.

Porchlight Interiors said...

Congrats Anna. You have certainly turned this house into something beautiful with all the lovely pieces you have chosen. Gives it some life

K & Co. said...

Congratulations!! That is very exciting. I love what you did with the showcase apartment and was very impressed with your sale pitch. Good job!!! You´re an inspiration!!

Kristina Lifors
www.kristinaliforskandco.blogspot.com

Accidental Foodie said...

I think your pattern combinations are fantastic and well done on bringing some much needed colour to an environment that is traditionally bland and cookie cutter.

Peta Rudd said...

Just reading through some older posts & discovered this....Anna, it is beautiful! I especially love the sofa and the lampshade. It is so inspiring to see such a vibrant display apartment that has been approached with such creativity. Well done!