Sunday, 28 November 2010

Parties Flowers & Installations


I think that summer wind may have swept me away last week. I just realised that I haven't posted since last Monday. It is amazing how time flies. This week has seen the installation of a few gorgeous pre-Christmas jobs, Harry's school Christmas pageant, a friends surprise 40th Birthday party and a summer garden dinner party which Brad and I hosted at our home last night with a few of my lovely clients and friends.


I filled the house with fresh flowers including my first Peonies for the season.

The garden looked so lovely and green. I'm so glad the drought is over here for now.


I also filled the house and verandahs with lots of candles. I must thank my friend Stuart Membery for organsing a rush delivery of the oval rattan placemats from Indonesia and also to Brad's dad for painting them for me in that pretty green which I chose to go with the napkins and cushions on the chairs. We had such a lovely night. I think it was the beginning of the festive/party season as Brad and I have a few more exciting parties to attend this week...Christmas really is such a wonderful time of year!!

PS. I promise I won't let that summer wind sweep me away this week!!
xx
Anna

60 comments:

Concrete Jungle said...

Love the green mats!

Lindsey said...

There's nothing like FRESH flowers!!! Besides candles, it's my favorite thing!!!

Flotsam Friends said...

Heaven sent! Seriously, your home looks divine, adore everything. The mood lighting with those candles is really special. Pruxxx

Faux Fuchsia said...

Your home is my dream house. Perfection! Thank you Anna xxx

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh stunning, giving me lots of ideas when we build our home encircled with a verandah where i imagine many a party will occur. Love Posie

One of my Hobby Blogs said...

oh wow - such gorgeous pics! and my fav flower - yes - peonies!!!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Beautiful! So fresh and pretty...and much more like OUR Christmas (in Florida as opposed to much of the rest of the USA)

Sarah M said...

So absolutely gorgeous! Fresh flowers make all the difference.

Modern Country Lady said...

Love the agapanthus in the first picture- my favourite flower!! o, I miss summer when I see your pictures...- it's all frosty here with the threat of snow! What a great garden and lovely garden obelisk!!

Mahala said...

I always chuckle when you talk about summer and Christmas in the same post. Being from North America, In my mind Christmas is inextricably linked to cold and snow. It's fun to stretch the imagination and think of a Christmas garden party. A cheerful holiday in a happy season is not a bad thing.

I love seeing pics from you house. It's absolutely charming.

Emma said...

Love the table setting and the hurricane lanterns on the stairs! Just looks magical!

Amanda said...

What a beautifully set table!!

Pineapple Villa said...

Oh my gosh what a divine setting, you must be loving your new house..Mel xx

The Little House said...

Just divine! I'd definately dine for dinner at your home. I love the green and pink together!!

Catherine said...

I wish I were in Brisbane enjoying a warm wind and the smell of all those lovely blooms too! Love your blog!
- Catherine at The Spring (www.thespringblog.com)

linda said...

LOVELY! The table looks amazing!

the gardener's cottage said...

dear anna,

ff told me your house and garden was beyond beautiful and i believe her. it sounds like it was the best night ever! thanks for sharing some pictures with us.

~janet

Anonymous said...

Your home and table setting are absolutely lovely. I miss Australia. We were going to go home this Christmas to spend time with family in the sun but instead we'll be stuck in the cooold winter of New York. I love when you post photos of your home or surrounding areas. Although I grew up in Sydney it still feels so familiar.

Kylie

Anonymous said...

I love the painted rattan placemats. I have natural ones but have never thought of painting them...hmmmm

Claudia Lane said...

Beautiful Anna...the colours are lovely as usual
Have a happy week :))

Stella and Pearl said...

It all looks so beautiful and the table so summery and fresh! I agree christmas is such a wonderful time of year, enjoy!

Annie Loveridge Interiors said...

Lucky guests! As much as this is so beautiful, it also looks so inviting and calm. Just so right at this time of year. The table setting is perfect. Love it x.

Michelle {Jarrah Jungle} said...

Life is for living and your doing just that!

Carolyn Chebaro said...

What a great idea! Paint wicker mats. Your home looks lovely.

Alcira Molina-Ali said...

How enchanting!
It's amazing how you've lent your magic to this home in so little time.
May your life be filled with many happy occasions like this one.
Cheers, Alcira

nerochronicles.com

Jacqueline said...

You set the table so beautifully.

My Four Pretty Girls said...

Hi Anna, It's Maree M's mum Jan here ( you went to school together ), and I am a big fan of your beautiful blog. I love your table setting from Saturday night, and I noticed that your candles and glass vases match. Can I ask where they are from? Do you sell them?
I also love FF's blog, and just love her style and wit. You must have had a fabulous evening .
Cheers Jan

lisa mae said...

love dinner party's and love your setting very cool......i say let that summer wind sweep you, loved your choice of words lisa

Anonymous said...

Ah what a beautiful home you have

Sarah Greenman said...

Love the pink peonies!

jlonit said...

I love the white chair in the first image.

It's been great in Sydney, raining a lot and not too hot so far. Usually the grass is brown and parched by this time of year but it's green and lush, I could go for a roll in it!

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

Love that you filled the house with lots of candles...so pretty. Here's to a great week!

Kelly Green said...

Yes, the days fly by don't they! i am particularly loving your white chair and the green cushions with all the agapanthus.....a wonderful colour combo! KG

ani's house said...

Wow wow wow. I love your house!!

Anna Spiro said...

Hi Jan,

So great to hear from you!! Yes, we sell the candles at Black & Spiro. They are my favourite candle!! If you want to email me I can give you more info...anna@blackandspiro.com.au

Say hi to Maree for me!!

xx
Anna

A Flair for Vintage Decor said...

Beautiful! Love the little touches of green and light pink...and the flowers are gorgeous!! Take care, Caroline

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Anna,

It was worth the wait! So many gorgeous pictures! I especially LOVE your table! Wow!!!! It's simple and elegant at the same time.

I hope you're enjoying your summer... I'm freezing here in Canada and every time I see your summer pictures, the flowers and these pictures filled with sunshine, it makes me feel happy. I love it.

Wishing you a great week.

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Louise said...

Hi Anna,
It was such a buzz to see Black and Spiro in real life, rather than on the computer. I haven't seen the shop since your big sale - so I was blown away with the new look. The animal Christmas Tree is totally the BOMB!
I wish you had a shop in Townsville, tee hee.
Love
Louise (Paddy's sister).

HAMPTON HOSTESS said...

I'm so envious! Beautiful weather and fabulous setting for a party. Peonies are my favorite flower--we have trees in the back and they always bloom for Father's Day--will have to wait quite a while for that! Gorgeous post!

la la Lovely said...

Soooo pretty. I love the steps going into you're house with the candles.. so pretty and magical!
xo Trina

Unknown said...

Lovely table and beautiful peonies! Such a nice evening, I'm sure.

Sarah said...

Anna: your home looked lovely and I'm sure you had a wonderful party...so sophisticated and pretty, I wish I did that here or at least had a party to go to!! Cheers! :))

designchic said...

Your house looks fabulous...the placemats, the candles, and my personal favorite - the peonies...gorgeous!!

The Buzz Blog @ Diane James Home said...

What a lovely party! One can almost smell the peonies. And what a great idea to paint the rattan place mats - I have the very same and am thinking of updating them with a fresh coat of paint. Your post warms me up - it is very cold in New England!

Treadgold said...

I absolutely love the pink penoies and the cut glass vases are stunning too. Your attention to detail is really lovely to see...

A gorgeous home to decorate as well!

Helen said...

Hi Anna, those candles look beautiful! I am wondering who makes them? The glass holders they come in are lovely.

Amanda said...

There is nothing nicer than fresh flowers in a house, or real flowers/plants at all for that matter :)

http://notsocountry.blogspot.com/

quintessence said...

What a beautiful table - not normally a pink and green girl but this is so fresh and inviting!

beachvintage.com said...

Stunning, I can hear the laughter coming from that deck!

annie@mostlovelythings said...

So beautiful and inviting. How special your guests must have felt as they approached your candlelit steps. The table looks gorgeous, love the flowers lined up the table and the mats too!

LindsFM said...

Sooo jealous that it's peony season where you are. I have to wait until May. :(

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Those peonies are my favorite. Lovely.

Millie said...

Buying that house was the BEST thing you guys have ever done Anna!
Millie ^_^

PA said...

gorgeous!!

Rachel said...

I'm looking at your gorgeous blog while the snow is coming down in London trying to remember what summer feels like!

Jessica Turnbow said...

I love english roses!

Stephanie Sabbe said...

I love peonies. They were my main wedding flower!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous table setting. And I adore the different cushions/fabrics on each chair. I see you have gone for a light pink and green colour scheme. LOVE it!
It must have been a magical night.

Suzanne said...

Hi Anna,

Lucky you it is summer at your house, your table is splendid, the delicate pink of the flowers, the green placemats and the natural chairs are a very serene sight. Have a great week.

decogirlmontreal

cotedetexas said...

God. that table is so gorgeous!!!!
i'm saving this picture! we are freezing here and you are in summer. no fair!