New Fabric Display @ Black & Spiro

A new fabric display went into the front window at Black & Spiro today; a nice floral fabric from Osborne & Little and some cushions in a new Liberty houndstooth.

Ron Marvin

I enjoyed scrolling through New York Interior Designer Ron Marvin's website today which I found via Mim's blog. I like his work which to me seems to be an eclectic mix of styles and he seems to like collections of things which I too love to incorporate into my work. I think he arranges things particularly well and most probably because of his vast experience in Visual Merchandising for the likes of big American companies Gap, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn & West Elm just to name a few. Essentially I think his work has a strong element of homelike comfort which in my opinion only a very good Interior Designer captures well.

Happy Happy Mothers Day

In my opinion flowers symbolise Mothers Day. Big blowsy beautiful flowers would make any mother happy but in particular they would make my mother happy. I haven't bought my mum flowers for Mothers Day this year, instead I have posted this image above for her. Happy Mothers Day mum and a Happy, Happy Mothers Day to all of those special mums out there!! I hope you all have a beautiful day.

XO
Anna

Image from Debi Treloar via Terramia's blog

Saskia Havekes' Grandiflora

Today I went Mothers Day shopping (along with every other person in Brisbane) and while I was supposed to be looking for things for my mother and my mother-in-law I found a few things for myself too. I justified it that I too was a mother and I too deserve a few special things!! So I bought myself a fantastic mix master, some new baking trays and best of all I bought Saskia Havekes new book Grandiflora. For those of you who don't know about iconic Australian Florist Saskia Havekes she is certainly one creative person. Her Sydney based flower business, Grandiflora is known Australia wide for it's beautiful floral arrangements. Her new books is to die for!!

A Modern Shell

I adore this house which is located in Brisbane and was designed by Owen & Vokes. However, if it were mine I would fill it inside with lots of mix matched pieces of furniture, artwork and beautiful collections of things on tables and in antique armoirs. I just love the juxtposition of modern architecture with antique/vintage furniture; probably my signature style.

I obviously do love this style of house as I was just looking in my files and I found these 2 images above as well which are very similar styles of houses to the top house. I have posted about the Krakoff's house (bottom image) before as I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Inside this house they have used a more decorated eclectic look and it looks fabulous.

Pretty Houses

I loved this image I found on My Romantic Home's blog today - two very pretty American cottages standing side by side.

Featured in BMag

This week Black & Spiro was featured in BMAG as above in a story about the return to more decoration in our homes and the move away from Minimalist Interiors

And this...

Another thank you to Stylecourt for the intro to Thibaut Design's website. I just love this image which I found on their site today!

Love This...

Thanks Stylecourt for the introduction to New York Interior Designer Meg Braff. I just love this image above: a snapshot of the vibrant Palm Beach house she has done. I have loved that wallpaper for quite sometime now and I was just so excited to see that she has used it in the yellow colourway - the perfect colour for a summer house!

Posh Vintage: An Online Store

50's Florentine Painting

60's Italian Gilded Coasters

70's Gucci Placemats & Napkins

If you haven't already explored Posh Vintage's website then you need to drop everything and visit it straight away. They ship worldwide and have vintage goods from clothing & handbags to homewares & furniture. I just love this fantastic online store!!

A Zebra Without Stripes

Well I couldn't stand it any longer - I felt like a zebra without my stripes with the white background. Thank you so much everyone for your fantastic feedback. The new site will be up and running in 3 weeks time so you'll all have to stay tuned!!

XO

Anna

White Background

So, here I am in white - just to show you. What do you think? Personally I think it looks terrible (on my site) and I don't think it shows off the pictures as well as the black. My site is dominated by images and not text so I think I need to select a background which makes the images stand out. I just don't think the white background is me but tell me what you think...

xo
Anna

P.S. This is just me changing the colours - my new customised design is well on it's way and I have pretty much chosen what I will be having. I am just doing this exercise to get your feedback as I am very interested to hear everyone's opinion. I love to workshop ideas with my girls at Black & Spiro so this is what I am doing: workshopping with you!!

Inspired By Historic Architecture

I was very inspired when I stumbled across these images of Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire, England. Built sometime between 1450 & 1580 by the Moreton family, Little Moreton Hall is arguably one of the finest half timbered tudor style manor houses in England. I just love the visual appeal of the black and white (timber & mortar) designs on the exterior of the building. I could imagine a black and white fabric inspired by this amazing building.

Bedroom Chairs For St. Lucia House

I just had these chairs made for a bedroom I am working on. The room should be completed in approximately 3 weeks. I will post some more pics once it is completed.

Thanks...

Thanks to everyone who left me a comment on my last post. I am going to take all of your comments into consideration so stay tuned for the new look Absolutely Beautiful Things!!

xo
Anna

Voice Your Opinion...

Hi All,

I am really needing some help from you. Within the next 3 weeks Absolutely Beautiful Things will have a new customised appearance which will be very exciting. Therefore, I am wanting to get everyone's opinion on my black background. I am tossing up whether to keep it black or to change it to white or another colour. I would love you to voice your opinion in my comments box below or alternatively you can email me directly on anna@blackandspiro.com.au

Thanks and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

xo
Anna


Image courtesy of flickr.

Great Fabrics

I love these gorgeous black and white fabrics from House Fabrics which I just stumbled across this week. They have some really great and inexpensive fabrics so go and check them out!

As Pretty As A Picture

A pretty floral arrangement - tulips - aren't they just so beautiful?!! I also think the wallpaper is so pretty - a very feminine scene.

Image courtesy of Sarah Kaye.

Friendship

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." - Albert Camus

This is one of my favourite quotes by Albert Camus. Friendship, to me, is one of the most important things in life. I can count my dearest friends all on one hand. I don't need lots of friends. I just need the few very special ones I do have. Thank you my nearest and dearest for your loving friendship. You are all so special to me!

XO
Anna


Image courtesy of Sarah Kaye.

Crisp Classic & Beautiful

I love these images of Victoria Hagan's work. So fresh, crisp and classic. I love the navy and white striped floor rugs and the beautiful white painted built-in cabinetry filled with collections of beautiful things.