Happy Weekend



I'm hoping it's cool enough this weekend to light our first fire for the season.  I'm imagining cups of homemade tomato soup with toast and maybe some toasted marshmallows for H&M.  Fingers crossed!  Happy Weekend!

xx

Anna

image - via a well traveled woman via note to sarah

Lovely Morning

What a beautiful morning it is!  So cool and so fresh.  As I walked down the hallway into the back of the store this morning the girls had opened up all the windows.  It was so pretty seeing the sun streaming in and so fresh feeling the cool air filling the rooms instead of the awful humid air we've been used to these past few months!!

xx

Anna

Home Again

With all of my energy and thoughts being put into work these past few months, our house seems to have gone to rack-and-ruin.  I can't stand it when my home isn't in order.  It really gets to me because my home is my heaven-on-earth and when it's a mess, I'm a mess.  Today's Anzac Day public holiday gave me the perfect opportunity to spend some time getting the house in order and what better way to celebrate a fresh, tidy house than a bunch of flowers which I bought at our local supermarket.   I feel so much better because our house is looking like home again.

xx
Anna

Favourite Corner

I think this corner is my favourite little spot in the shop at the moment.  The vivid green and white floral patterned curtains sit so beautifully on my blue and white Higgledy Piggledy Stripe wallpaper.  I can't tell you how versatile this little wallpaper is and it tends to shine even more when it is layered on top with pictures and paintings and bits and bobs.

xx

Anna

PS - The wallpaper collection is launching in a few weeks time.  Sampling can be seen at all Porters Paints outlets and also at Black & Spiro from mid-May.  Orders can be placed through us at Black & Spiro or through Porters or through Designers Australia-wide.  For international and remote customers, the sampling will be available to order online at Porter's website and also orders can be placed online through Porter's as well.  The website is - http://www.porterspaints.com/

Pink Garden Wall



How could you not love Bougainvillia?  Look at this amazing pink wall against the white timber house in the background?  So vibrant and pretty!!

image via - miss flower wall

Open

I'm thrilled to let you know that our back rooms at Black & Spiro re-opened late this afternoon with our new display of beautiful things.  All of the walls have been wallpapered in 3 of my new wallpaper designs for Porters and if you want to be one of the first to seem them then make sure you pop into the shop. 

We've had wonderful feedback so far and I can't wait to show you all through our new rooms.  They are truly beautiful and probably the most spectacular spaces we have ever created at the store!!

xx
Anna

Much Ado About Blue

I grew up surrounded by blue and white and not just a bit here and there.  I am the daughter of a serious blue and white addict.  She has it everywhere. 

When I was in my early twenties I vowed and declared I wouldn't do the blue and white thing like my mother.  I tried to escape it because I wanted to have my own thing.  I wanted to be me, not my mother.  But there seems to be this innate sense which I can't seem to escape.  No matter which way I turn I seem to include a little bit of blue and white.  It's almost like I feel instantly at home when I see it. But I do like to think that I do blue and white differently to my mother.  She's more of a classic blue and white girl whereas I tend to be more this and that and a bit of something else thrown in. 

Over the weekend I photographed this little collection of things which were sitting on my mother's dressing table.  That old blue and white picture frame which houses a photo of my Harry as a baby has been sitting on tables in her house my entire life.  And yet it's only now that I want to sneak it into my handbag whilst she's not looking!! 

Here are a few other blue and white things which caught my eye this week...

Whilst out and about the other day I came across this beautiful pair of antique blue and white garden stools.  I can't begin to tell you how divine they are but unfortunately they are completely out of my price range.

I also stumbled upon this beautiful Antique stool with it's old cornflower coloured upholstery.  I wouldn't change a thing about this beautiful thing.  It would slip into my house with it's age worn style so perfectly!!

And look at this fabulous set of blue and white vintage canisters which we currently have at Black & Spiro.  A perfect complement to any blue and white addicts kitchen!

Inky blue and white batik notebooks and ginger jar also at Black & Spiro.

Blue & white quilts just arrived in last week from our New York buying trip earlier in the year.

And last but certainly not least, these very beautiful hand-painted blue and white lamp bases are too beautiful for words and pictures.  You must come and see them...that's if you can beat my mother to them!!xx

xx
Anna

This & That

If you've been following me on Instagram then you will have seen these pictures before but if not, I thought I'd post them here on the blog.  Over the past few weeks we've been redecorating Black & Spiro.  If you've dropped into the store you may have noticed our new additions. 

Today our fabulous old Library table arrived.  We' are just waiting on the new handles to be delivered for the drawers....nothing happens on cue or as planned does it!!  They have been held up...what's new!!  In the background you might just be able to see a little snippet of the new cabinetry we've had installed which is now filled to the brim with lots of new bits and pieces and also some very special vintage one-off items as well.

These new hobnail candles in navy, pink, sea foam and cream are definitely a new favourite and let me tell you, they smell amazing!!!!!

And this rug which I am standing on with my leopards is to-die-for. 

Next week we will be shooting the photos for the sample book and advertising of my new wallpaper collection for Porters at the store.  And next Friday we will be re-opening our back rooms which we have completely redecorated with my new wallpaper collection.  If you would like to be one of the first to see the wallpaper insitu then make sure you drop in next Friday.  Our official launch party won't be until early May so you will get to see the papers before they are properly launched!!  You are in for a treat...I promise. 

Also, I have a little announcement to make about the online store.  After much deliberation, I have decided to put the online store on hold for the time being.  I am working on a number of large decorating projects and with running our bricks and mortar store, looking after my clients, launching my wallpaper range for Porters, working on another very exciting thing which I am unfortunately unable to announce at this stage and being a mother and wife, I just can't do it all and as a result something has to go.  Please don't be upset or cranky.  I will bring it back in some way, shape or form but for the moment it is just too much.  I am not wonder woman and I just need to remove something otherwise I will end up a complete mental case!!xx

I will make sure that I continue to post lots of fabulous images of new things at Black & Spiro here on the blog and please if you see anything at all which you would like pricing on then just call us or email us - info@blackandspiro.com.au.  

If you are in Brisbane though, do drop into the store as we have a bit of a new look and lots of fabulous new things to inspire and excite.

xx
Anna

Bits & Bobs



Just a few bits and bobs to delight and inspire.
xx
Anna


image 1 - via pinterest, image 2 - via moodboard blog, image 3 - charles mellersh via charlotte minty blog, image 4 - via habitiually chic, image 5 - via habitually chic

My Little Adventure

I will admit that I am a scaredy-cat.  I have never broken a bone which is an obvious sign that I don't take many risks.  I worry about things and I usually sit, wait, ponder and think about every single for and against before I embark upon anything.  Some would say that it's good to be well-informed before making a decision or embarking on an adventure.  Others would say stop procrastinating and JUST DO IT. 

Well, this year I have been trying to do more things which I am scared of without too much thought and procrastination.  One such off-the-cuff adventure I embarked upon over the weekend was walking from our cottage at Point Lookout all the way along Flinders Beach to my parent's cottage at Amity Point.  This may not be such a big thing for some but I have always thought it was such a long distance and yesterday without any thought what-so-ever I did it. 

It took me just under 2 hours of fast-paced walking {with a couple of climbs up the head-height sandbank because of the high tide} and let me tell you it was fabulous.  It was such a beautiful day and I loved every single minute of it.  I can't wait to do it again and actually I think I will walk back again next time.

It really is amazing how great you feel when you do JUST DO IT.  I didn't think I would make it and  in the past I always said to myself that it is too far.  But in actual fact it's not too far at all.  It was just that I kept on making excuses.

My little adventure is proof that you can do anything if you just get out of your safe place and take the first step!! 

xx
Anna 

PS - This was not meant to sound like an ad for NIKE!!  I just wanted to share this positive story with you for the start of the working week!!xx

image - via pretty stuff tumblr

Lazy Days

It's hard to believe it's Easter already.  Where did those months go?  I'm certainly looking forward to a few days filled with rest, chatter, cuddles, walks, lounging, easter egg hunting, reading and sleeping.  With the weather starting to change it will be our last chance to catch some warm days at the beach.  I can't wait.

Happy Easter.  See you soon.

xx
Anna

image 1 - deborah needleman's home via gardendesign.com via stylecourt, image 2 - irene suchoki photographer

A Neutral Breeze

Mum's things on her fireplace mantel @ Straddie.

Happy Ned having the best time on the beach.

Not another person on the beach.  Just me & Ned...pure bliss.

Neutral chair, ethnic cushion, antique mirror and natural rug @ Black & Spiro

There seems to be a neutral breeze in the air for me at the moment.  Maybe it's because there is just so much colour happening out there and I usually prefer to move against the current.  Not sure but it seems as though a dash of neutral is like a breath of fresh air for me right now.  Note, I said a 'dash of neutral'.  Don't worry I won't be going all beige but I really am enjoying a mix of neutral with colour. 

On the weekend I went to my parent's beach cottage which sits on the most beautiful, quiet beach at Straddie and it was a perfect breath of fresh air for me.  I can't believe that Ned and I were the only people {well Ned is a dog not a person} on the beach on Sunday morning.  We walked for over an hour and we didn't pass 1 person except for the man in his surf ski.  It was quite extraordinary and just so refreshing.  It's amazing what a bit of fresh sea air and time on your own can do for your head and soul!!  It definitely gets rid of the cobwebs. 

xx
Anna

Drop into The Corner Store

It seems to have been a week of new discoveries.  Whilst driving all over town today measuring up windows at one house, installing gorgeous new furniture at an apartment in St. Lucia, dropping in to arrange some pictures in a beautiful nursery we have just finished and picking up bits and pieces along the way, we stumbled across The Corner Store Cafe in Toowong.  Where have I been?  Why didn't I know about this fabulous place?!  One word is all I could use to describe this cafe with it's own vegetable garden - BEAUTIFUL!  I just wish there was something like this over on my side of town.

If you are over that way on the weekend make sure you drop in for a coffee and a bite to eat.  You won't be disappointed.  The space is seriously divine!

See you next week.
xx
Anna

Chiswick

With a number of trips to Sydney scheduled this year for work purposes I was thrilled to find Matt Moran & Peter Sullivan's newly opened Woollahra restaurant, Chiswick on Sibella Court's instagram this morning. 

If these pictures are anything to go by I think we will definitely be in for a treat!!  Has anyone been there yet??  I would love to hear about it!!

You can visit their website HERE and read more about this divine restaurant with its surrounding vegetable garden HERE...

xx
Anna

Tony's House

I was so thrilled to see my friend Tony Jarratt's house over at the Design Files today!  Tony is an extremely creative man who I truly admire.  He is also one of the sweetest, kindest people you could ever wish to meet.  We were so excited to be mentioned in the article also.  CLICK HERE TO READ.

xx
Anna

Random Pretty Things



This was my week in pictures - a beautiful wedding in Noosa despite the rain, cushions, flowers, fabrics, lamps, bits and bobs.  It was a lovely week.

xx

Anna

Lucy Visits Sally Campbell

If you haven't already seen it then you must head over to The Design Files to see the beautiful tour of Sally Campbell's Sydney home.  Divine in every single way!!

Click HERE...

xx
Anna

And The Winner Is...

Hello!  Well, it was a very hard decision however, after much deliberation I have decided to name the trellis wallpaper - Rosey Posey Trellis which was submitted by Brooks Marshall. 

I feel that this name works perfectly with the names I have chosen for the other wallpapers in the collection.  Thank you so much for all of the amazing entries.  I never thought I would receive so many suggestions.  It was such a wonderful surprise receiving all of the emails and comments.

Just in case you are interested, below I have listed the names I narrowed it down to but Rosey Posey certainly won me over in the end!!

Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosie – Karen
Catch me if you can – Daryl Wark
Pocket full of posies – Kate
Summer House Trellis – Tenia
Garden Gate Trellis – Tenia
Trells Bells – Jordan Queen of LA
Trellis in Wonderland – Kath & others
Oh Grow my divine vines – Ana
A Tisket A Tasket – Stephanie
Bees Knees – Paddy
Sweet Pea Trellis – Jo & Sarah
Trellabella – Louise
Hide-n-Seek – Sim
Jiggley Wiggley Trellis – Anna

And in further wallpaper news we had all of our showroom display rolls of the papers delivered to the store today.  They will all be installed next week which I am very excited about.

Thank you again for all of your wonderful suggestions and for taking part in my very special wallpaper giveaway.


xx
Anna

Last Day to Enter

Today is the last day to enter the - Name My Trellis Wallpaper Competition.  If you want to make a last minute suggestion just enter it in the comments section HERE.  There certainly has been some great suggestions.

I will announce the winner here on the blog on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

x

Anna

image by sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com

Morton House

It's always so rewarding once you have finished a job and the clients are happy with what you have done for them.  I think being invited into a person's home to help them create a beautiful place to live is so special and I always feel very priveleged to work with my clients.  Afterall there is a choice when it comes to Decorators and Designers and for a client to narrow it down to me is certainly something I am always very thankful for.

Last year I finished a project which I had been working on for approximately 12-18 months with my clients Paul & Hayley Morton.  Their house has been featured in a wonderful 10 page spread in this month's Home Beautiful magazine.  I have posted a couple of the pages here.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Paul and Hayley.  They wanted a very classic look and we achieved this by selecting beautiful antique furniture, beautiful fabrics and lots of layers.  The other thing which I think was wonderful about this job is that they didn't stop when the sofas and chairs and cushions went in.  They continued and added all the finishing bits and pieces in a beautiful refined way which I feel certainly makes the overall look so appealing. 

Thank you Paul & Hayley for asking me to help you create a lovely home filled with all the things that you love and cherish. 

xx

Anna

Story - Catherine Sheilds, Photography - Simon Kenny