black and red wallpaper hd nace

Admiring

Late last year I posted the entry foyer of this lovely house which was featured in the Dec/Jan 2012 issue of House Beautiful magazine.  It was such a wonderful surprise when I visited Heather at Habitually Chic this morning to discover that she recently visited this divine home which belongs to L.A. Designer Mark Sikes. 

Heather has prepared 2 fabulous posts which are chocker-block full of AMAZING images of Mark's Hollywood Hills home.  I think these 2 pictures above of his little sitting nook are my absolute favourite. 

I must say that this home is an example of white walls done extremely well.  It's so important to layer lots of fabulous bits and pieces, books, artwork, rugs, collections, fabrics and furniture on top of a blank canvas of white walls and floors.  And in my opinion, Mark has achieved the perfect balance here in his beautiful home.

Make sure you head over to Habitually Chic for the full scoop!

Happy Australia Day my Australian friends.  Hope you have a fabulous day!

xx

Anna

images - heather clawson for habitually chic

Fabulous Clashing Pattern

I've always been an ambassador for clashing pattern and colour.  It's  just so interesting and layered and scrumptious!  I loved this recent photo of Tory which I found on her inspiring blog.  It's clashing pattern heaven!

PS - Thanks for all the wonderful purchases in our Tag Sale!   It's been lots of fun!!  There's still a couple of things left...
xx
Anna

Exciting Black & Spiro Pink Tag Sale

I'm very excited to present a very special online pink tag sale today here on the blog. When we've held our big annual Black & Spiro sales in the past at our store in Brisbane our blog readers and interstate customers have all missed out and we've had lots of requests for an online sale. So, here it is...

Sale Conditions

• Each product in the flyers above has a number on it. Please quote the product number when you call to purchase
• To purchase an item all you have to do is dial our store number - O7 3254 3000 - and tell us which item you would like to purchase and then pay for it with a credit card over the phone. Or you can drop into the store and pay for the item with cash, eftpos or credit card
• There will be no holds. It will be a first in best dressed situation
• There will be no returns
• We can arrange for delivery. Delivery will be an extra charge
• If you are in Brisbane you can drop into the store to view an item prior to purchasing but please remember we cannot hold an item for you whilst you travel into the store to view it
• Item Numbers 6 & 7 are cushion covers
• For further information on any item listed above including dimensions or for a better photo of a particular item please email Claire at claire@blackandspiro.com.au or call us on the above phone number

Thanks so much for your interest!!  I hope you find a bargain.
xx
Anna

Fresh Orchids

It's so nice having some fresh flowers back in the shop.  We potted up one of our blue and white planters late last week with some fresh white orchids which we placed in the centre of our round entrance table as you walk into the store.  The best thing about orchids is that they last for such a long time!!

If you pop into the store you might also notice the fabulous large lantern light we have just installed above this table...sorry it didn't make it into the photo!  We have these lanterns custom made in any size and I must say I absolutely adore them.

By the way, I'll be posting our Pink Tag Sale here on the blog sometime tomorrow so make sure you keep an eye out for it!!

xx

Anna

Bliss

Doesn't this look like a beautiful spot for an afternoon rest! 
xx
Anna

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

Back to Work



I will admit it's been a little hard getting back into work this week after such a beautiful holiday.  I always think it's so much easier once the kids go back to school and the normal routine resumes.  Maybe next week once Harry is back at school I will be able to concentrate and come out from under the lampshade so-to-speak!

Talking about lamps I had to show you this amazing lamp which is actually one of a pair of vintage lamps we received into the store just before Christmas.  You can't really tell from the picture but they are quite large and so beautiful.  I haven't decided what lampshade I am going to put on them yet but they will feature in a window display in the coming weeks...that's if they don't sell before-hand.  I envy the lucky person who will end up with this lovely unique pair of lamps!!

xx

Anna

image 1 - via pretty stuff

Happy Summer Days

"Time slows at the Summer House.  The pile of books you have set aside for Summer reading awaits leisure time in the hammock.  The days begin and end in long shadows and quiet anticipation."  - Terry John Woods

Our Summer holiday was perfect in every single way.  We spent most days here at this beautiful beach swimming and playing in the sand.

We found lots of fabulous shells.  Harry's friend B found the big creamy coloured shell in the photo above.

Harry was obsessed with snorkeling in the big rock pools and looking for treasure.

And treasure he found.  He stumbled across this fabulous big old shell in one of the rock pools which he and his father snorkeled over the top of at high tide.  It now sits proudly on our sideboard at the beach house amongst all the other shells they have found over the years.

Ned our Golden Retriever spent every minute he possible could on the beach and if he wasn't swimming or running he could be found resting in the shade under the umbrella.

You couldn't wipe the smile from his face.  I am unsure who was the most depressed today coming home...Ned or Harry or Max or Brad...actually I think I was the most sad about leaving the beach.

Although most of our holiday was spent at Straddie we did manage to spend a few days down at my cousin's beach house at South Golden Beach just north of Byron.  Whilst there we visited the Easton Pearson pop-up shop and my cousin reminded me of the pop-up shop I opened about 12 years ago over at Straddie for the Summer.  It was called Holiday Things and I had totally forgotten about it until he reminded me of it.  Pop-up shops seem to be all the rage these days but 12 years ago nobody had really ever done it before....well around our part of the world anyway!!  Did anyone go to Easton Pearson's pop-up store in Byron or Noosa?  I absolutely loved the beach umbrella they had and if they were for sale I definitely would have bought one!!

Happy times were had.  There were lots of laughs and lots of cuddles and I cherished every single moment I had with them.  As Harry said when we drove off the barge this afternoon -  "it's now back to the real world mum..."

Hi!

Hi & Happy New Year!  How are you?  How was your Christmas?  I feel like I haven't been here in such a long time.  I actually switched myself completely off the Internet and computer for the entire holidays and I must admit I feel like a new person!! 

I'm not officially back from holidays until early next week but I thought I should pop in to say hello.  Did anyone see our special New Year window displays at Black & Spiro over the holidays?  If you haven't already seen them, make sure you take a drive passed as the talented Pip Boydell painted us the fabulous and vibrant fabric drop {as above} and the beautiful pair of big vintage pineapple lamps are a must see!!

Anyway, I'll be back with beautiful things to share next week.  Until then I'll be making the most of the last few days I have left with my boys at the beach...

xx
Anna