indian bf: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Pretty Country House

It really is such a treat being able to work in beautiful houses. I am currently working on a house out in the country which has a big fabulous barn, horses and very pretty gardens. It is an old white Queenslander and it really is something very special. I love it so much I had to share it. Here's a little snapshot of the front garden. I've also posted a few photos below of the beautiful sofas, cushions and rug we delivered there this week. Next on the agenda is a custom built-in bookcase which will cover an entire wall floor to ceiling. I have also been asked to find a beautiful Antique dining table and chairs and the best part of all is that the clients are so kind and so easily pleased. They love everything I show them which makes my job so easy and at the end of the day I think it makes the look so much more beautiful too...

{sorry about the smudgy photo above...not a great photo!!}

Home

I will confess when I am not at work I am very much a homebody. That's not to say I am unadventurous. It's just that I love being at home. We don't eat out alot these days and I tend to decline invitations to fancy events. Some would probably tag me as boring but I just prefer, in my very small amount of spare time, to be at home with my family. There really is no better place than home in my world.

When I spotted this vintage tear sheet on Full House blog recently it really struck a chord with me because I would love to take a week or two off to spend at home just pottering around the garden and the pool, cooking for my boys and taking some time to really enjoy what it is that we have....time to stop and smell the roses so-to-speak.

I also think that as much as I would like to NOT talk about the slowing economy and as much as I would like to ignore it, it would be remiss of me because the reality is that we are smack bang in the middle of tough times. Please don't get me wrong, I am not writing this post to try to depress you...quite the opposite. I am writing this post to try to inspire you. Tough times shouldn't mean the cancellation of fun but they do make us think a bit differently about how we spend our money. So here's one way I think we can save on money but not on fun...

With the arrival of Spring here in Australia it's hard not to think about holidays because that's what we all do when the weather gets warmer, we plan holidays. Instead of thinking about grand plans for an expensive holiday overseas or interstate I think it could be a wonderful idea to think about grand plans for a happy and relaxing holiday at home. Pretty up the house, add some cushions, get into the garden, read a book, take afternoon naps, cook lovely meals, play scrabble with the family and enjoy what it is that you have because what we all have is really so very much...

xx
Anna

Monday, August 29, 2011

Half Price

Just in case you might be interested I have just put our 4 remaining neon framed embroideries over at the online store on sale. They are now half the original price which is very exciting!! Only 4 left though...

CLICK HERE to see...

xx
Anna

PS. Please note, all of these embroideries are hand-made and will vary slightly in design to the one shown. If you want to see a selection of what is left prior to purchasing just email us info@blackandspiro.com.au and we would love to send you some images.

مشاهده مباراة برشلونة وفياريال بث مباشر

مباراة برشلونة وفياريال بث مباشر

مباراة برشلونة وفياريال

قناه 1

Watch live video from hwawshy on ar.justin.tv

مشاهدة , شاهد , مباراة , ماتش ,برشلونة, فياريال , بث مباشر , اونلاين , على النت , على الانترنت , دورى الاسبانى 2010

Monday Ramblings

I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of heavy rain on our old tin roof. My plans for a mindless day in the garden had to be cancelled.

If only I could have stayed home today because this morning I woke to the most beautiful, warm, sunny Spring day. Isn't it always the way! I was rather envious of Merv who arrived at around 8am ready to work in the garden for the morning. There was just something in the air this morning. Did you feel it too?

Next on our gardening agenda is planting 2 garden beds full of Dahlias, Zinnias and Daisies. These should then flower right through Summer...fingers crossed.

Has anyone driven passed Black & Spiro over the last few days? Did you see the divine, divine, divine pair of vintage concrete Swan pots we have sitting right at the front as you enter our front door? I am having major problems trying to hold myself back from getting them picked up and delivered to our house. They came from an old house in South Australia and I will admit that I am in-love! I really don't think I could stand seeing them go to another home. I haven't been like this over something in the shop for such a long time!! I wonder where they will end up...my house or yours?

image 1 - via seboise, image 2 - via pretty stuff, image 3 - via pretty stuff

Thursday, August 25, 2011

A Day for Daffodils

It seems my Daffodils have flowered right on cue. Back in Autumn I ambitiously planted 50 Daffodil bulbs in our garden and although not all of them have surfaced, we have quite a few in flower today just in time for Daffodil Day. To support this very special day click HERE to make a donation or to find out how you can contribute.

On that note I am signing off for this week. I'm yearning for a weekend in my garden.
xx
Anna

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dishevelled Bathroom

I love this CRAZY bathroom. Seems I am loving everything a bit dishevelled...

xx
Anna

PS. This fabulous bathroom belongs to Johnelle.

PPS - I have just discovered that this bathroom AND that lovely dishevelled bookcase I posted a couple of days ago BOTH belong to Johnelle! I didn't realise this at the time of posting. How serendipitous!

PPPS - Well I seem to have really gotten my wires crossed. Thanks to a reader I have been advised that this bathroom belongs to Jo Kornstein, a talented set designer in London. My sincere apologies for this mistake.
x
Anna

Monday, August 22, 2011

Spring Just Around The Corner...

Spring is just around the corner here in Australia. I am really looking forward to some warmer weather and all the pretty flowers which are starting to pop up in our garden.

I am also excited to announce that our Spring Vignette over at our online store will be live in just over 2 weeks. We've almost sold out of our Winter Vignette however, there are still a few things available so make sure you head over there to grab any last minute bits before we close Winter.

http://www.absolutelybeautifulthings.com.au/

I will say that our Spring Vignette is going to have lots of gorgeous vintage items and an array of pretty floral cushions too...something to look forward to.

Anna

image 1 - source unknown, image 2 - kate spade, image 3 - via pink lemonade design, image 4 - via mary ruffle

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Dishevelled Perfection

Last night I did something I haven't done in a very long time. I got caught on a couple of tumblr sites and I couldn't get off. I just kept on scrolling. Back in the early days of this blog I spent a lot of time reading other blogs and tumblrs but I have to be honest, these days I don't read many blogs. Maybe it's a time thing or maybe it's because there are just so many out there now and I can't keep up. Not sure. However, I did find this fabulous image on Matchbook's tumblr last night. It stopped me in my tracks. I love how imperfect and dishevelled it is.

Have a great Monday!

Anna
xx

Friday, August 19, 2011

The Perfect Spot

Could this be the most perfect spot to sit and enjoy a warm Spring Saturday morning? So beautiful!!

image via - cote de texas

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Simply Divine

I have a thing for white houses. Our first house was white our second house was white, our beach cottage is white and our current house, which will be the house we stay in forever, will also eventually be white. I don't ever stray to another colour and even when clients ask me what colour they should paint their house I always reply white. The fact is that white houses never date. I especially love white houses when they are surrounded by lots of gardens or big green luscious trees and lots of green neatly trimmed grass. There is nothing prettier in my opinion. I was completely awestruck when I spotted this beautiful old white house over at Coco + Kelley blog earlier this week. How simply divine!!

The Cushion Thing

One of the most important elements in the rooms I put together for people is the array of beautiful, unique cushions I compile and have custom made for their sofas, armchairs, beds etc. Usually these cushions are made in the most exquisite fabrics which are either imported, hand embroidered or made out of vintage materials or trimmed with fabulous braid or rouche.

The downside of these beautiful cushions is that they tend to be quite expensive. Sometimes I prepare my clients for the cushion price prior to sending them their quote but sometimes I forget and there has certainly been times when I get the call in which I am asked - 'What's with the cushions? Did you make a typing error when you wrote the price...?'

During the week we had a lovely young woman into the shop and I was thrilled to hear that she was back to purchase some of our beautiful cushions to add to her collection. Apparently a few years ago we had made a set of our cushions for her which she absolutely adores. She was telling one of the girls in the shop that most of her friends have been through 3-4 rounds of inexpensive, ready-made cushions since she purchased her set from us and yet her unique collection still sits proudly on her sofa loved and cherished.

So, even if you can't afford to purchase them all up-front I suggest starting with a couple and then adding to them over time. That way you will end up with the most gorgeous, unique collection of cushions which you will love and adore for many years to come...

Or you could be like one of my clients who comes into the shop every week and pretty much takes home a cushion a week!! With Spring almost on our doorstep it is the perfect time to add some beautiful cushions to your sofa. They will be like a breath of fresh air!!

xx
Anna

image - polly wreford

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A Basket of Fresh Garden Flowers

Early this morning I headed out into our garden which is currently in full bloom. I spent about 20 minutes in pure heaven collecting this basket of fresh flowers for Black & Spiro. It has been so great having lots of vases of fresh garden flowers in the shop over these past few weeks. As you have probably guessed I am a little bit obsessed with fresh flowers. Maybe if I decide to give up decorating I could just grow and sell pretty bunches of fresh garden flowers...I'd really love that.

Anna