Color me Pretty!

Today I am inspired by Anna Spiro and a design job she completed a little while back....

Fun, cheerful, bright and lots of color!!

I think this eat in kitchen is getting a lot of action!! It's bright and fun, who wouldn't want to hang out here??

Sunday Funday!

Natasha

All images via Black & Spiro on Pinterest

New, New, New!!!

The word on Instagram a few days back, was the imminent launch of the new Black & Spiro website, by Australian Interior Designer Anna Spiro, and this morning it launched....

I was unable to access the link all day, as I am sure many of you were getting a first peek and "blocking" the rest of us :)... Well, I finally got through, and what a treat!! Loving the clear and sharp images, the unmistakable cool interiors of Anna Spiro. Pops of vibrant color, lots of Blue & White, table scapes to make you drool, fun mixture of new and old furniture...

I would recommend a tour of the new site, complete with FB page, Pinterest Boards and lots of inspiring interiors!!

Happy Weekend,
Natasha

PS. 
I found this article on the web today on Anna, an interesting read about the person behind the design :)

All images via Black & Spiro

New on the Virtual Newsstand... Vol. IV

So exciting this is!!!! 

I can hardly keep up... now there are two new issues (adore HOME & Lovely Wedding Magazine) to read from the team at adore HOME. The above edition is just the perfect pop of brightness and cheerfulness I was looking for! Colorful Christmas is what they advertise, and that's exactly what you will get, yeah!!

A brand new interview with Anna Spiro, of Black & Spiro and the Absolutely Beautiful Things Blog, inspires a colorful and handmade Christmas enjoyed with friends and family. 

These happy images from the store, makes me wish for a pop-up shop in South Florida :)

Anna is a master of color and mixing patterns, and this lamp with its fabric shade is a perfect example!!  I imagine this in an office, how can you not want to be at your desk?

So, I am aware that the focus is on the pompoms... but I think the mirror is super cool too. The pale wood and all the carved details, not to mention the height.

Come pull up a chair to this BRIGHT table... I could make up a whole story about the menu I would serve, the people I would like to entertain here and the dress code... any suggestions?

Jingle Bells are a must at Christmas, and why not white...?

OK, so these above images are from the adore HOME blog, but there are others in the magazine for you to explore. 

AND, while you are at it, check out the Style Trail of Brisbane's Eastern Suburbs on page 70, everyone loves a good shopping trip, right? Only this virtual one will not empty your bank account :)

TGIF :)

Natasha

Images via adore HOME

Happy Weekend!

WOW! What a fantastic pop of bright blue....
The patina of this bench is amazing, don't you think? Makes me think of summer :)

Just wanting to relax with a few glossy mags this weekend, but I also have to get a little freelance work done!! I am visiting a new clients home on Monday, and I think I am just as excited as she is! Time will tell if it's a match made in heaven...

Hope your weekend will be FUN!

Natasha

Image via HomeLife

Coffee table decorating.

Lately I have been looking at coffee tables. I am looking for a new one for my own house, but also for a client. We have yet to decide if it will be an ottoman type or a hard surface table, and that goes for both of us :)

In my research I have come across so many different versions and millions of ways to decorate them. In my own house I like things a little cleaner than this image, but the more I put things together for clients, the more I am leaning towards this look. It's interesting, personal, pretty and it just "feels good", which essentially is what I strive to do for my clients.

I came across this blog post from Canadian House and Home (MY favorite glossy mag, by the way), if you too, need a little inspiration. The image above is probably recognizable (if you are a blogger) as the work of Anna Spiro of ABT.

Have fun thinking about how to make your coffee table interesting.
Is yours "clean", filled with magazines, styled pretty, or???
Please do share :)

Natasha  

Image by ABT via Northern Light Blog on Pinterest.

Tropical Flavor

I know, I know... Enough with the holiday ornaments already, is what I am guessing you are saying right about now? 

... Notice the big clam shell :) I think I will try this; In fact I will try this, I'm going to fill it with all silver balls!!

Just wanted to share these pretty and easy to customize Christmas ornaments with you, courtesy of Anna Spiro. I find that the pink ribbon gives these hand blown glass pieces a little punch, and super easy to change to your color scheme!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Natasha

Image via ABT

Color, color, color!

I just can't help it....
These flowers make me smile :)

The vase is super pretty, it's from the new Summer vignette by Anna Spiro, but unfortunately for me (and you) it's already purchased by some lucky person...

You can check out her new Christmas shopping story here. I really like Anna's concept, it's like shopping in the store (well, I actually haven't been, as I live on the other side of the world...) only this is for the world wide audience I imagine she has captured via her Absolutely Beautiful Things blog, with which I am sure you are familiar...? You should be! Check that out here if you are a newbie... :)

Have a fun Friday!

Natasha

Image here

Good Things come in small packages!

It's almost time! I, for one, am super excited to see what designer, store owner and super blogger Anna Spiro has up her sleeve when she launches her net shop tomorrow!

If you can't wait either, head on over here, Anna has posted a little tutorial as to the concept and how it will actually work...

You can even sign up - perhaps you already did - to her mailing list, and you will be notified immediately when the site goes live!

HAPPY SHOPPING everyone, leave something for me :)

Natasha

All images via ABT

Blue Lady

Some of you may recognize this Blue Lady from the home of Anna Spiro. She recently featured an image from her bedroom, the post was about curtains, but what really struck me, was this artwork. I love the color, and the mix of this piece alongside the ornate, gilded mirror on the opposite side.

What's your take? Love, like or not so much??

Natasha

Image via ABT

Queen of Ginger Jars...

I have always loved the Blue and White color combination, it's fresh and pretty! As many of you are aware, the Queen of Ginger Jars - Anna Spiro - use them in her store, in her house, in client's houses, for flowers, for display, for lamps and the list goes on and on...

 





So I figured I would share a few with you, hoping to bring a little inspiration you way!  
(OK, so I am aware that the image above is not a Ginger Jar, but it was so pretty I had to include it :)! )

Why just put the jars on a shelf, why not fill them with pretty flowers? Often at flea markets you can find versions that have lost their lids (and are inexpensive) pick them up anyway, and use them for flowers! Notice those little boxes on the tray? Pretty!

See what I mean? And Anna's trademark pink sneaks in everywhere....

I love this image of her new kitchen. The Blue and White is soooo great displayed all together, great impact!!

Black & Spiro window display, ginger jars used as lamps...  also, I LOVE the color of the big green ones on the floor!

The current window, just featured on Anna's blog Absolutely Beautiful Things, show not only lamps, but also a FAN.TAS.TIC fabric backdrop featuring the blue and white Ginger Jars.

And this is the image that started the whole thing for me; the white cabinet with the collection of Ginger Jars on top! In fact, after seeing this image a long time ago, I was inspired to start my own little collection.
Perhaps I will share tomorrow....

Do you have a Ginger Jar collection? How does the look fit your decorating style? Any tips for finding them??

Natasha

All images via ABT

Green with envy!

Talk about a fresh start!
Is this not a fantastic green lacquered coffee table? It belongs to fabric designer Lulu DK and it's in her house in the Bahamas. Would so love to visit... spending a lazy afternoon here, the warm air, the brezze...ahhhh!

This image reminds me so much of India Hicks, don't you agree???

I spy... a new color being used by the designers!

I'm sold, this fresh green totally works in the tropics, what a breath of fresh air!

Natasha

Image #1 Trail of Inspiration, Image #2 ABT

Meet the New Girls In Town

Have you heard? 

Yet another on-line magazine has come to town!

I encourage you to meet Ivy & Piper, and explore their new venture. Many contributors to the blog world have been featured in this magazine. You can meet Louise, Belinda, Vanessa, Tina and Kimberlee and to be able to see how the stars of the blog world live, well, lets just say I always find it fascinating to have "a look behind the scenes"...

The master of beautiful, colorful and cheerful table top displays, Anna, weigh in with an article on "The art of Arranging", supported by some gorgeous images, take a peek ;)!

Hope you had a great weekend!!

Natasha

Image #1 & #2 IvP Magazine, Image #3 here

Congratulations!

I want to congratulate Anna Spiro, of Black & Spiro and the Absolutely Beautiful Things Blog, on the wonderful and exciting news;
She has won an Oscar...... !

Well, not exactly, but she has been included in Andrew Martins new book; Interior Design Review, Featuring the Worlds Leading Designers. This book is like "The Oscars for the Interior Design World" according to the Times.

If you are a regular reader of ABT, you will be familiar with Anna's Friday Flowers Posts. I found this image over at her blog earlier today (yes, I know, it's not Friday...) in her trademark colors; Hot Pink, White and Blue, so fresh and pretty, you can't help but get in a good mood :)

Oh... and did I mention she is also featured in the new Vogue Living??    I can't wait to get my hands on that issue, but it's a little slow coming to Florida, so some time in December maybe..... :)

Congratulations Anna, you deserve all the praise and acknowledgement coming to you!!

Natasha

Image #1 Via Shelter, Image #2 Via ABT

I want to live here...

... in fact, I would be very happy in this room!! I am convinced the pink sofa would cheer me up on any given day (though I am not sure Mr. Wonderful would be happy with a hot pink sofa...). The coffee table is light and evoke feelings of the beach (the base remind me of the piers), the white floors are fantastic. Stuart Membery white cane chairs scream summer house to me, and we all know how I love that light, casual and airy feeling!! Garden stools in bright blue, fantastic pop of color...
And take a look at all the different textiles used; anything from Suzani's (from Mexico and Uzbekistan) to bright floral, and graphic prints!

SO MUCH COLOR can be a little scary... but, I think this is just so much fun!!

Now, for those of you who follow Anna Spiro, you will know this interior from her newly re-modeled store; Black & Spiro. All I can say is GREAT JOB! I wish I could stop in, say hi, and stay a while to take it all in. I truly think this is a fun place to work (Is there such a thing?), how can you have a bad day in such an inspiring place? Oh, of cause, I know; when the furniture you love so much, and have worked hard to assemble, leaves with someone else....

Check it out!!
Let me know what you think. Would you do a hot pink sofa? Could you get away with that? (and don't you just love that bright orange table?)

Natasha

absolutely beautiful things: Black & Spiro Unveiled