Books & An Upcoming Online Pink Tag Sale

When I spotted this fabulous image over at My Notting Hill blog the other day it really struck a chord with me.  Sometimes when I am searching for something in an old book or magazine from my library at home, our bedroom can turn into something which pretty much looks like the room above.  I have books all over my bed, floor and bedside table and let me tell you it's not much fun when it's time to put them all away again!!

In other news I have decided to clear the decks at Black & Spiro so I'm having an exciting online Pink Tag Sale here on the blog early next week which should be lots of fun.  I am such a hoarder so it's time to move some things on and make some space for the new things I will be purchasing on an upcoming overseas buying trip.

So make sure you click back early next week as there will be some wonderful bargains to be had.  If you have ever been to one of our annual Black & Spiro sales at the store you will know that I'm pretty ruthless when it comes to my markdowns!!

xx

Anna

image 1 - via my notting hill blog - room by mimi weddell from casa vogue 2005 - photo by tim walker

A Charmed Life & A New Book

Australian born Author and fellow blogger Vicki Archer seems to live a charmed life in the South of France, the place she has found and now calls home. Like many, I adored her first book "My French Life" and her new book "French Essence", continues to drag me into her dreamy world. The photography by Carla Coulson is divine and Vicki's styling is second-to-none. I have posted my absolute favourite page in her new book above. I decided on this one page as I don't want to spoil it for you. This book is definitely one to add to the Christmas wish list! Congratulations Vicki on another huge success!!

Nb. French Essence is available now in Australia & New Zealand and will be sold on Amazon later this year.

Easy Elegance

I just purchased a copy of Atlanta Bartlett's book, Easy Elegance. It is full of ideas on mixing the old with the new and celebrates something I am passionate about - individuality!! The top image I have posted is my favourite picture in the book. I love the layering of flowers on flowers...so beautiful!

Pia's New Book

I have been meaning to congratulate Pia Jane Bijkerk on her new book, Paris: Made by Hand. I enjoyed seeing a little sneak peek of it over at Desire to Inspire last week. I must say I absolutely adore the cover!! Congrats Pia. I can't wait to get a copy!!

Please click HERE for more details on Pia's new book...

Stumbling Across Kim Parker

On Saturday night after dinner at our local Thai restaurant, Harry and I walked into Riverbend Bookshop on the way back to the car.

Whilst Harry headed for his section I plonked myself in front of my favourite section. I was scouring through the interiors books when I stumbled across a book by US artist Kim Parker.

I actually ended up purchasing a different book. However, it didn't stop me googling Kim Parker when we got home.

I must be a little behind the times as I didn't realize she was the artist behind one of my favourite rugs at The Rug Company!

She has also created some beautiful floral embroidered cushions which I think would be a beautiful addition to any cushion collection.

I think I might head back to Riverbend Books to pick myself up a copy of her book this week to flick through over Easter.

Gage d'amour

Image - Anna Spiro

Here's a little Valentines tablescape I created today. Gage d'amour {meaning pledge of love}.

Today

Today I scurried around picking up a few last minute bits and pieces for Harry's Birthday and who should I run into in one of my favourite little gift stores just down the road from where I live???.....Hayley from Porchlight Interiors. She too was running around picking up some Christmas presents for her children. It was so lovely to see her and because of our Blogs be able to say hi. I think it is so fantastic that Blogland has brought a few of us Brisbane Decorating girls closer and who knows maybe sometime in the future we might even organise a Bloggers morning tea. What do you think Brisbane girls...should we organise a morning tea in the New Year?? Here's another little snippet of my house above {my new Domino book taking pride of place} and yes I promise I will post lots more pictures of the house at the end of this week for you all to see!!

Passionate About Blue & White?

Well then you must get your hands on a copy of Carolyne Roehm's new book - A Passion for Blue & White. Look at this dreamy image from the book! I think my mother will flip out when she sees this post! I think this book would make for a wonderful Christmas gift! Jennifer over at The Peak of Chic has done a great post on the book today and Lily-G also posted about the book earlier this week too! Can't wait to get my copy!!

For The Library...

Just in at Black & Spiro are these two gorgeous books - Bazaar Style by Selina Lake & Joanna Simmons & Chinoiseries by Bernd H. Dams & Andrew Zega. I absolutely love the bohemian styling in Bazaar Style - so pretty. Chinoiseries is also wonderful on a completely different level - the illustrations are beautiful and the information it provides is fantastic! Two more great books to add to the design library wish list!!

Individual Sense of Style

Australian stylist Shannon Fricke's new book, 'Sense of Style Colour & Space' is gorgeous. I have photographed some of my favourite pages above. Some of the topics Shannon talks about in the book which I really enjoyed reading are style evolving over time, how to personalise the spaces we inhabit and the use of colour in our homes. Shannon says "My interpretation of a sense of style is that it's simply a confidence; the casual ability to bring what seem to be disparate objects together in a room and make them look cohesive, as if they are just made to be united." The beautiful photographs are by photographer Prue Ruscoe. This book, in my opinion is a definite for your design book library!

Coastal Style

Another wonderful book to add to the wish list which we now have in at Black & Spiro is Coastal Style. The book features lots of beautiful beach house pictures and also a few pictures of India Hicks' Harbour Island house.

Portraits - A Book To Covet!

A special edition (hard cover) book to add to my wish list - Portraits de la Renaissance by Nathalie Mandel (an Assouline book).

New Charlotte Moss Book

I'm looking forward to the May release of the new Charlotte Moss Book "A Flair For Living". To pre-order your copy visit the Charlotte Moss website here...I'll definately be pre-ordering a copy for my library.

Arranging Things

I was at the book store yesterday picking up some last minute books for Christmas when I stumbled across this gorgeous looking book which I couldn't resist buying for myself. The illustration on the front cover was the first thing that struck my attention and the title was the thing that sealed the deal. The illustrations are beautiful. I haven't had time to read it yet but after reading the only review of the book on Amazon tonight I am afraid I may be a little disappointed. I do love the illustrations so all is not lost and I love the cover so even if it isn't a good read I am happy I purchased the book as I like looking at it sitting on my current book pile on my entrance table.

Today I Love

I really love this image. The white and caramel colour palette and the display of beautiful things is just so simple, beautiful and fresh and I am a fan of the painting hung over the books like that - I think it adds that little bit of imperfection which you all know I love!!

Bronwyn's Flowers & Books

Brownyn from South Africa sent me this GORGEOUS picture today of a vignette she created recently in her guest room in which she also has used pretty fresh flowers placed in vintage teacups (LOVE THIS DETAIL) and some of her favourite books and vintage prints. I absolutely loved receiving your email Bronwyn and the picture of your beautiful vignette was a real treat!!

Flowers & Books

A couple of images above of some of my own flower & book vignettes.


Megan Samuels book & flower tablescape above. Image courtesy of Stylecourt.


Courtney's book & flower tablescape above.

When creating a tablescape or vignette I often find myself hunting around for beautiful books and fresh flowers arranged in vintage vases to throw into the mix and I notice I'm not alone. Courtney at Stylecourt often talks about her love of design books and has shown us on her blog images of some of her very own tablescapes where she mixes fresh posies of flowers with collections of her favourite books. Megan Samuels from Beach Bungalow 8 is also another flower/book lover and I just adore the picture above of her vintage silver jug filled with beautiful flowers and a pile of her favourite books. What things do you like to mix into a vignette or tablescape?

My French Life Update

I am thrilled to be able to show you today some recent images Vicki Archer sent me of the absolutely beautiful country house she and her husband renovated in Saint-Remy-de-Provence in France. I have talked alot about Vicki's beautiful book, My French Life in the past which details their renovation journey and I am thrilled to annouce that the book was released for sale in the US 18th October, 2007 and is due for release in the UK late November, 2007. It was so lovely to see these candid pictures of the property. In the email Vicki told me that she is currently having a "white moment" so everything in the house is a little paired back and white - white flowers, white cushions etc. I'm just loving the whole thing but those iron daybeds on the grass under the shade of big beautiful tress in the first image is just so dreamy!!!

The Salvage Sisters

I just ordered this cute book for Black & Spiro and had to share it. We haven't received our copy yet so I can't give details. As you all know my style revolves around vintage finds and seeing potential in pieces which other people regard as junk so I think this book will be right up my alley. I can't wait to see what the Salvage Sisters find potential in and by the look of the fantastic pieces they have stowed on top of their car roof I think it's going to be an interesting read!!

Ruthie's New Book

Last week Ronda over at All The Best reported that Ruthie Sommers' new book, The LA House is due for release in Autumn. This book is definately on my wish list. I often find myself pouring over Ruthie's website: Chapman Radcliff Home so to get my hands on her book will very exciting!!